Celeron G5900 vs Xeon E5-2403 v2

Intel

Celeron G5900

2 Cores2 Thrd58 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2403 v2

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Celeron G5900 vs Xeon E5-2403 v2 Performance Spectrum

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 Xeon E5-2403 v2 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 Xeon E5-2403 v2: 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 $142 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • Delivers 285.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.6 vs 13.9 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • Draws 58W instead of 80W, a 22W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 610, while Xeon E5-2403 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 10 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2403 v2, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads and 24 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2403 v2

2013

Why buy it

  • +400% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 2 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads, plus 24 PCIe lanes vs 16.
  • 50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,672 vs 2,682).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.9 vs 53.6 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
  • 37.9% higher power demand at 80W vs 58W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G5900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G5900 better than Xeon E5-2403 v2?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2403 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Celeron G5900 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Celeron G5900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% 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, Celeron G5900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron G5900 is the better buy right now. Celeron G5900 comes in $142 cheaper on MSRP at $50 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 285.4% better value on MSRP (53.6 vs 13.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron G5900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G5900 vs Xeon E5-2403 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon E5-2403 v2

The Xeon E5-2403 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,672 points. Launch price was $223.

Processing Power

The Celeron G5900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5-2403 v2 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2403 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G5900 versus 1.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2403 v2 — a 61.5% clock advantage for the Celeron G5900 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Celeron G5900 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2403 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G5900 scores 2,682 against the Xeon E5-2403 v2's 2,672 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron G5900. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G5900 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2403 v2.

FeatureCeleron G5900Xeon E5-2403 v2
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz+89%
1.8 GHz
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+89%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
10 MB (total)+400%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark
2,682
2,672
Geekbench 6 Single
850
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,600
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G5900 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2403 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Celeron G5900 versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon E5-2403 v2 — the Celeron G5900 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2403 v2 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Celeron G5900) vs 3 (Xeon E5-2403 v2). PCIe lanes: 16 (Celeron G5900) vs 24 (Xeon E5-2403 v2) — the Xeon E5-2403 v2 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCeleron G5900Xeon E5-2403 v2
Socket
LGA1200
LGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666+100%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
384 GB+200%
RAM Channels
2
3+50%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
24+50%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G5900) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2403 v2). The Celeron G5900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Xeon E5-2403 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G5900 targets Budget, Xeon E5-2403 v2 targets Server. Direct competitor: Celeron G5900 rivals Pentium Gold G6400.

FeatureCeleron G5900Xeon E5-2403 v2
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 610
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
Server
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G5900 was priced at $50, while the Xeon E5-2403 v2 came in at $192. On launch pricing ($50 vs $192), Celeron G5900 was $142 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G5900 delivers 53.6 pts/$ vs 13.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2403 v2 — making the Celeron G5900 the 117.6% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G5900Xeon E5-2403 v2
MSRP
$50-74%
$192
Performance per Dollar
53.6+286%
13.9
Release Date
2020
2013

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