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 i5-3450 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 i5-3450: 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 $132 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Delivers 249.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 85.7 vs 24.5 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Draws 46W instead of 77W, a 31W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,458 vs 4,517).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-3450

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.5 vs 85.7 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
❌67.4% higher power demand at 77W vs 46W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1155, while Celeron G6900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3450 better than Celeron G6900?

Yes. Core i5-3450 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3450 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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 i5-3450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i5-3450 is still the faster CPU overall, but Celeron G6900 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-3450 comes in 253.8% more expensive on MSRP at $184 MSRP versus $52 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G6900 is also 249.2% better value on MSRP (85.7 vs 24.5 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Celeron G6900 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 G6900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2012) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900 vs Core i5-3450 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-3450

The Core i5-3450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,517 points. Launch price was $186.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G6900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-3450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450 — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-3450 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-3450 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900 scores 4,458 against the Core i5-3450's 4,517 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-3450. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-3450
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,458	4,517+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,563	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,631	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-3450 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900 versus 1600 on the Core i5-3450 — the Celeron G6900 supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G6900 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Celeron G6900) vs 16 (Core i5-3450) — the Celeron G6900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-3450
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+200%	1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900) vs true (Core i5-3450). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 710 (Celeron G6900) and Intel HD Graphics 2500 (Core i5-3450) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900 rivals Pentium Gold G7400.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-3450
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 710	Intel HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	true
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G6900 was priced at $52, while the Core i5-3450 came in at $184. On launch pricing ($52 vs $184), Celeron G6900 was $132 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900 delivers 85.7 pts/$ vs 24.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-3450 — making the Celeron G6900 the 111% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-3450
MSRP	$52-72%	$184
Performance per Dollar	85.7+250%	24.5
Release Date	2022	2012

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