Celeron G6900 vs Core i5-10400F

Intel

Celeron G6900

2 Cores2 Thrd46 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-10400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020

Celeron G6900 vs Core i5-10400F 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 G6900 vs Core i5-10400F 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 G6900 vs Core i5-10400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G6900

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $108 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
  • Draws 46W instead of 65W, a 19W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 710, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,631 vs 5,783).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-10400F.

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +102.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G6900.

Trade-offs

  • 207.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $160 MSRPvs$52 MSRP
  • 41.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 46W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Celeron G6900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G6900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400F better than Celeron G6900?
Yes. Core i5-10400F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 102.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 119.8% better Geekbench multi-core, and 192.3% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 102.7% 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, Core i5-10400F is the stronger fit. You are getting 119.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-10400F is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-10400F comes in 207.7% more expensive on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $52 MSRP, and it still gives you a 102.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G6900 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. Giving up that much average FPS in the shared benchmark data is simply too much for that budget trade-off.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron G6900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron G6900

The Celeron G6900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 46 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 4,458 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i5-10400F

The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.

Processing Power

The Celeron G6900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-10400F offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-10400F has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400F (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-10400F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900 scores 4,458 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 98% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,563 vs 1,454, a 7.2% lead for the Celeron G6900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,631 vs 5,783 (74.9% advantage for the Core i5-10400F). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400F.

FeatureCeleron G6900Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.3 GHz+26%
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+17%
2.9 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
12 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
Intel 7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark
4,458
13,029+192%
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,191
Geekbench 6 Single
1,563+7%
1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,631
5,783+120%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-10400F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10400F — the Celeron G6900 supports 80% 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: 20 (Celeron G6900) vs 16 (Core i5-10400F) — the Celeron G6900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Celeron G6900) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

FeatureCeleron G6900Core i5-10400F
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+80%
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Celeron G6900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 710), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900 targets Budget, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900 rivals Pentium Gold G7400; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCeleron G6900Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 710
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G6900 was priced at $52, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($52 vs $160), Celeron G6900 was $108 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900 delivers 85.7 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Celeron G6900 the 5.1% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G6900Core i5-10400F
MSRP
$52-68%
$160
Performance per Dollar
85.7+5%
81.4
Release Date
2022
2020

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