Celeron G3900E vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Celeron G3900E

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Celeron G3900E vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Celeron G3900E

2 / 2

2,034

0.0%

17,685

+769.5%

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 G3900E 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 G3900E 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 G3900E

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $92 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 510, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (948 vs 1,898).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.0 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +326.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 367.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 19.0 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G3900E.

Trade-offs

❌
86% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Celeron G3900E?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 326.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 100.2% better Geekbench multi-core, 769.5% 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 326.9% 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 100.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 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 86.0% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 326.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 367.5% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 19.0 PassMark/$), 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 2016), 1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G3900E vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3900E

The Celeron G3900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,034 points. Launch price was $107.

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 Celeron G3900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G3900E versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600. The Celeron G3900E uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3900E scores 2,034 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 158.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 699 vs 1,295, a 59.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 948 vs 1,898 (66.8% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3900E vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+75%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	32 MB (total)+1500%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512K (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	2,034	17,685+769%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	699	1,295+85%
Geekbench 6 Multi	948	1,898+100%

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron G3900E versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 50% 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G3900E) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Celeron G3900E) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	—	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-3200+50%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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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: VT-x (Celeron G3900E) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Celeron G3900E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3900E targets Budget, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Celeron G3900E rivals Pentium G4400; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 510	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	Yes
Target Use	Budget	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3900E was priced at $107, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($107 vs $199), Celeron G3900E was $92 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3900E delivers 19.0 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 129.5% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3900E	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$107-46%	$199
Performance per Dollar	19.0	88.9+368%
Release Date	2016	2019

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