Celeron 420 vs Ryzen 5 3600
Celeron 420
Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Celeron 420 is positioned at rank #982 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 420
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron 420 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Conroe-L (2007−2008) / 65 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron 420 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+680%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 420 and Ryzen 5 3600
Celeron 420
The Celeron 420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Conroe-L (2007−2008) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 425 points. Launch price was $23.
Ryzen 5 3600
The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The Celeron 420 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 420 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 89.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Celeron 420 uses the Conroe-L (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 420 scores 425 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 190.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron 420 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Celeron 420 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 1 | 6 / 12+500% |
| Boost Clock | 1.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz+163% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz+125% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (total) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-89% |
| Architecture | Conroe-L (2007−2008) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 425 | 17,685+4061% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The Celeron 420 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Celeron 420 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron 420) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 945,G31,G41 (Celeron 420) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).
| Feature | Celeron 420 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 4.0+264% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | DDR4-3200+100% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 128 GB+700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: No (Celeron 420) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Celeron 420 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Celeron 420 rivals Pentium 4 2.80; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Celeron 420 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | No | Yes |
| Target Use | Budget | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Celeron 420 launched at $39 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($15 vs $80), the Celeron 420 is $65 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 420 delivers 28.3 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 154.6% better value option.
| Feature | Celeron 420 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $39-80% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-81% | $80 |
| Performance per Dollar | 28.3 | 221.1+681% |
| Release Date | 2007 | 2019 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Celeron 420 and Ryzen 5 3600
