AMD Opteron 6272 vs Intel Xeon E5-2650L 8-Core Processor
These are used server CPUs from around 2012, so buy on platform, not raw specs. The Opteron 6272 gives 16 cores on the older Socket G34 platform with DDR3; the Xeon E5-2650L gives 8 cores on LGA2011 with 20 MB cache and a 70 W TDP. Neither price was provided, so compare live store prices on this page before buying.
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AMD Opteron 6272
AMD Opteron 6272 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor
Choose the AMD Opteron 6272 if you want the most cores per chip for a cheap multi-threaded G34 build and do not mind 115 W of heat.
- 16 cores at 2.1 GHz for heavy parallel workloads
- Cheap per-core cost on the used market
- 16 MB L3 cache
- Fits two-socket G34 boards for 32 cores total
What separates them
| AMD Opteron 6272 | Intel Xeon E5-2650L 8-Core Processor | |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 8 |
| Base clock | 2.1 GHz | 1.8 GHz |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 20 MB |
| TDP | 115 W | 70 W |
| Socket/platform | Socket G34, AMD 890FX/SR56xx chipsets | Socket LGA2011, X79/C602 chipsets |
| Memory | DDR3, 4 channels per socket | DDR3, 4 channels per socket |
| Multi-threaded throughput | Higher core count helps heavily parallel work | Lower core count, higher per-core efficiency |
| Power and cooling cost |
Price history
- AMD Opteron 6272: lowest $156.00 on Nov 3 at Global One Technology.
- Intel Xeon E5-2650L 8-Core Processor: lowest $327.43 on Nov 3 at New Town Spares.
Prices at every store
AMD Opteron 6272
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Intel Xeon E5-2650L 8-Core Processor
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Specs compared
| Spec | AMD Opteron 6272 | Intel Xeon E5-2650L 8-Core Processor |
|---|---|---|
| Number Of Cores | 16-core | 8-core |
| Clock Speed | 2.1 GHz | 1.8 GHz |
| Cache Memory | 16 MB cache memory | 20 MB cache memory |
| TDP | 115 watts | 70 watts |
| Socket Type | — | Socket LGA2011 |
What reviewers say
AMD Opteron 6272
Owner reports on Opteron 6200-series chips focus on their place in cheap multi-core home labs. They are valued for core count per dollar but criticized for slow single-thread speed and platform cost.
- PerformanceMixedOwners say 16 cores help with parallel workloads but per-core speed is slow.
- Platform costCriticisedBuyers complain that Socket G34 boards cost more than the CPU itself.
- ValuePraisedUsed prices make it one of the cheapest ways to get 16 cores.
- PowerMixed
Questions and answers
- Which is better for virtualization?
- The Opteron 6272, because 16 cores let you assign more vCPUs per host. The Xeon E5-2650L is better when you care about power per VM.
- Which uses less power?
- The Xeon E5-2650L at 70 W TDP versus 115 W for the Opteron 6272. Over a year of 24/7 use that gap adds up on the power bill.
- Which has more cache?
- The Xeon E5-2650L, with 20 MB versus 16 MB on the Opteron 6272.
- Can I use them in the same motherboard?
- No. The Opteron uses Socket G34 and the Xeon uses LGA2011. They need different boards, chipsets and coolers.
- Which is faster per core?
- The Xeon E5-2650L. Its Sandy-EP cores do more work per clock than the Opteron's Bulldozer modules, even at a lower 1.8 GHz.
- Are these still worth buying?
- Only for cheap used builds, homelabs or spare parts. Both are long out of support and far slower than current server CPUs.