Celeron 900 vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Celeron 900

35 WW2009

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Celeron 900 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Celeron 900

485

0.0%

17,685

+3546.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Celeron 900 vs Ryzen 5 3600 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron 900 vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron 900

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $113 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (229 vs 1,898).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +1588.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+3100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 1 MB).
✅Delivers 1475.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron 900.

Trade-offs

❌
131.4% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$86 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Celeron 900?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1588.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 728.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 3546.4% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1588.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 728.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 3100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 1 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 131.4% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1588.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1475.8% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2009) and 3100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 1 MB). That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 900 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron 900

The Celeron 900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 485 points. Launch price was $69.

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.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron 900 scores 485 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 189.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 220 vs 1,295, a 141.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 229 vs 1,898 (156.9% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Celeron 900 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Celeron 900	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	—	6 / 12
Boost Clock	—	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+64%
L3 Cache	1 MB L2 Cache	32 MB (total)+3100%
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	45 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-84%
Architecture	—	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	485	17,685+3546%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	220	1,295+489%
Geekbench 6 Multi	229	1,898+729%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 900 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Celeron 900 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 140.1% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Celeron 900) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron 900) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GL40,GM45 (Celeron 900) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Celeron 900	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	PGA478	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR4-3200+140%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	128 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	24

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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 900) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Celeron 900 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Celeron 900 rivals Pentium 4 2.80; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Celeron 900	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	No	Yes
Target Use	Budget	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron 900 was priced at $86, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($86 vs $199), Celeron 900 was $113 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron 900 delivers 5.6 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 176.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron 900	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$86-57%	$199
Performance per Dollar	5.6	88.9+1488%
Release Date	2009	2019

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