Celeron G5900 vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Celeron G5900

2 Cores2 Thrd58 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2020

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

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Celeron G5900 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Celeron G5900

2 / 2

2,682

0.0%

17,685

+559.4%

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 G5900 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 G5900 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 G5900

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $149 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 610, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,600 vs 1,898).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 53.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +245.3% higher average FPS across 38 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+1500% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 65.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 53.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G5900.

Trade-offs

❌
298% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$50 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G5900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Celeron G5900?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 245.3% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data, 18.6% better Geekbench multi-core, and 559.4% higher PassMark, 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 245.3% more average FPS across 38 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 18.6% 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 298.0% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 245.3% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 65.7% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 53.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Celeron G5900 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Celeron G5900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G5900 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G5900

The Celeron G5900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 2,682 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 Celeron G5900 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 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G5900 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Celeron G5900 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G5900 scores 2,682 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 147.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 850 vs 1,295, a 41.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,600 vs 1,898 (17% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G5900 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Celeron G5900	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+1500%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	2,682	17,685+559%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	850	1,295+52%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,600	1,898+19%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G5900 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Celeron G5900 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G5900) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Celeron G5900) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Celeron G5900	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

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 G5900) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Celeron G5900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G5900 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Celeron G5900 rivals Pentium Gold G6400; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Celeron G5900	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 610	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	Yes
Target Use	Budget	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G5900 was priced at $50, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($50 vs $199), Celeron G5900 was $149 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G5900 delivers 53.6 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 49.4% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G5900	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$50-75%	$199
Performance per Dollar	53.6	88.9+66%
Release Date	2020	2019

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