AMD Opteron 6262 HE

The AMD Opteron 6262 HE is a 16-core server processor from the Interlagos generation, built on the Bulldozer architecture. With a 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database, this chip sits at the exact midpoint of the performance distribution, indicating a processor that delivers balanced, mainstream server capability rather than class-leading speed.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Opteron 6262 HE shows no individual workload scores, but the aggregate metrics place it at the 50th percentile of all processors, with an average benchmark score of zero. This neutral percentile ranking indicates that the chip performs at the median level for its era, neither embarrassing itself nor standing out against contemporaries. The 16-core configuration with 16 threads means the processor relies entirely on physical cores, with no simultaneous multithreading to boost parallel throughput. In multi-threaded workloads that scale well across cores, this configuration allows the processor to compete effectively with similarly positioned server chips, though the lack of additional threads per core limits its ability to extract extra performance from heavily threaded applications that benefit from hypervisor-level scheduling. The 50th percentile position suggests that in mixed server workloads, the Opteron 6262 HE will deliver results that are squarely average when compared to the broader CPU landscape, making it a predictable choice for standard virtualization or database tasks. For workloads that depend on raw core count, the 16 physical cores provide a solid foundation, but the absence of benchmark scores in the data set means precise deltas against specific rivals cannot be quantified. The processor's position in the middle of the distribution implies that it outperforms roughly half of all CPUs in the database while lagging behind the other half, a split that reflects its 2011-era design and modest clock speeds.

Power and Thermals

The Opteron 6262 HE carries a TDP of 85 watts, a figure that places it in the low-power segment of server processors. This HE (high efficiency) designation indicates the chip is engineered for power-conscious deployments where thermal density and electricity costs are primary concerns. An 85-watt TDP for a 16-core processor is notably restrained, suggesting that the silicon operates at conservative voltage and frequency levels to maintain efficiency. The thermal implications are straightforward: a capable air cooler is sufficient for this processor in a standard server chassis, and dense rack configurations with adequate airflow will manage the heat output without requiring exotic liquid cooling or oversized heatsinks. The 32nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with 2,400 million transistors spread across a dual-die design measuring 2x 315 mm², contributes to this manageable thermal profile. The dual-die arrangement means heat is distributed across two separate packages, which can aid in thermal dissipation by preventing hot spots from concentrating in a single location. For data center operators, the 85-watt TDP allows for higher server density per rack unit, as power delivery and cooling infrastructure do not need to be oversized to accommodate this processor. The low-power design does come at a cost, however, as the base clock of 1.60 GHz reflects the efficiency-focused tuning, with the boost clock reaching 2.90 GHz only when thermal headroom permits. This power envelope makes the Opteron 6262 HE well-suited for environments where energy efficiency is prioritized over absolute performance, such as large-scale web hosting farms or always-on database clusters.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Opteron 6262 HE exhibits a pronounced split between its base clock of 1.60 GHz and boost clock of 2.90 GHz, a gap that reveals distinct behavior patterns across workload types. In single-threaded tasks, the processor can leverage its boost clock to approach 2.90 GHz, but the Bulldozer architecture's design priorities mean that per-core performance is not its primary strength. The architecture allocates resources across modules, with the 2 MB L2 cache shared per module and the 8 MB L3 cache per die, which means that single-threaded performance is constrained by the shared resource contention inherent in this design. For workloads that depend on individual core speed, such as legacy single-threaded applications or lightly threaded database queries, the Opteron 6262 HE will perform adequately but not spectacularly, with the boost clock providing a temporary performance lift that cannot be sustained indefinitely under load. In multi-threaded scenarios, the processor's 16 physical cores come into play, and the lower base clock becomes less of a liability because the sheer number of cores allows parallel execution to compensate for the modest per-core speed. The 51.2 GB/s quad-channel memory bandwidth supports this multi-threaded approach, ensuring that the cores have sufficient data throughput to avoid starvation when processing parallel workloads. The practical implication is that this processor excels in throughput-oriented tasks where many concurrent threads can be processed simultaneously, while it will feel sluggish in latency-sensitive applications that cannot parallelize. For real-world server environments, this means the Opteron 6262 HE is better suited for running many virtual machines, handling concurrent web requests, or processing batch jobs, rather than for high-frequency trading or real-time analytics that demand rapid single-thread response. The 16-thread limitation, with no SMT support, further reinforces this profile, as the processor cannot hide memory latency behind additional logical threads, making it essential for workloads to have sufficient parallelism to keep all physical cores busy.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark profile and architectural characteristics of the Opteron 6262 HE point toward specific workload recommendations. For virtualization environments that run multiple moderate-sized virtual machines, the 16 physical cores provide ample isolation and concurrent execution capacity, making this processor a reasonable fit for consolidating legacy servers into a single host. Database workloads that are read-intensive and can distribute queries across multiple cores will benefit from the parallel processing capability, though the modest single-thread performance means that query latency for individual requests will not be exceptional. Web server deployments that handle many simultaneous connections, such as Apache or Nginx serving static content, align well with the processor's strengths, as each connection can be assigned to a dedicated core without contention. Batch processing applications, including data transformation jobs, report generation, or scientific simulations that can be parallelized, will see good utilization of the 16 cores. For office and productivity workloads, this processor is overkill in core count but underwhelming in per-core speed, meaning that interactive desktop use or document processing would not benefit from the architecture. Conversely, gaming is not a relevant use case for this server-class processor, as the Bulldozer architecture's single-thread limitations would bottleneck modern game engines that depend on high clock speeds. Content creation workloads that use multi-threaded rendering or video encoding tools would see reasonable performance, but the lack of SMT and the older architecture mean that newer processors would offer better results per watt. The 50th percentile ranking suggests this processor is a middle-of-the-road choice for general server duties, best deployed in scenarios where the workload is known to scale linearly with core count and where power efficiency is a higher priority than raw speed.

How It Compares

The data set lists no nearest rivals for the Opteron 6262 HE, leaving its competitive positioning to be inferred from its percentile ranking and architectural characteristics. In the absence of direct comparison scores, the processor's 50th percentile placement indicates it sits at the median of all CPUs in the database, meaning it should be considered a baseline against which other processors are measured. Against earlier Opteron generations, this Interlagos chip offers a higher core count but potentially lower per-core efficiency due to the Bulldozer architecture's modular design. Compared to contemporary server processors from Intel that would have been available in the same 2011 timeframe, the Opteron 6262 HE would likely trail in single-threaded performance while potentially matching or exceeding in multi-threaded throughput, given the 16-core count. The lack of benchmark scores in the data set prevents quantifying these deltas with precision, so the comparison must remain qualitative. The 85-watt TDP gives the Opteron 6262 HE an efficiency advantage over higher-power server chips, which may offset performance deficits in power-constrained environments. The 50th percentile ranking also implies that this processor is neither a budget afterthought nor a flagship part, occupying a middle ground that makes it a safe but unremarkable choice for standardized server fleets. Without rival data, the recommendation is to view this processor as a known quantity that delivers predictable, average performance across a wide range of server workloads, with its primary distinguishing feature being the low power draw relative to its core count.

Platform and Compatibility

The Opteron 6262 HE is built for the AMD Socket G34 platform, which supports the dual-die Interlagos design. Memory support is DDR3 with a quad-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which is sufficient to feed the 16 cores in multi-threaded workloads. ECC memory is supported, making this processor suitable for mission-critical applications where data integrity is paramount. PCIe Gen 2 is the available expansion interface, which limits the bandwidth for modern high-speed peripherals compared to newer PCIe Gen 4 or Gen 5 standards, but remains functional for the server workloads of its era. The processor is based on the Bulldozer architecture on a 32nm process node, with a dual-die layout where each die measures 315 mm² and contains 2,400 million transistors total. Cache is organized as 768 KB of L1, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die, providing a total of 16 MB of L3 across the two dies. The processor is end-of-life, meaning no new production is occurring, and it lacks an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The launch MSRP is $523, which positioned it as a mid-range server part at introduction on November 13, 2011. The part number is OS6262VATGGGU. For upgrade paths, the G34 socket supports other Interlagos-generation Opteron processors, allowing for potential in-place upgrades to higher-clocked or higher-core-count parts within the same platform. However, the end-of-life status means that no new motherboard or processor designs are being produced for this socket, so any platform expansion would require moving to a newer socket and architecture. The quad-channel memory controller and ECC support make this platform suitable for memory-intensive workloads, but the DDR3 memory standard limits maximum capacity and bandwidth compared to newer DDR4 or DDR5 platforms. The integrated graphics are absent, as expected for a server processor, so a discrete GPU is required for any display output. The processor's production status of end-of-life suggests that buyers should consider this platform primarily for legacy deployments or replacement parts for existing systems, rather than for new server builds where more modern options would offer better performance and efficiency.