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 i5-3550S 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 i5-3550S: 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

✅+152.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $153 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Delivers 295.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 85.7 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Draws 46W instead of 65W, a 19W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3550S.

Core i5-3550S

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G6900.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (619 vs 1,563).
❌Lower PassMark (4,442 vs 4,458).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.7 vs 85.7 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
❌41.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 46W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1155, while Celeron G6900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G6900 better than Core i5-3550S?

Yes. Celeron G6900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better 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, Celeron G6900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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 G6900 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 G6900 is the better buy right now. Celeron G6900 comes in $153 cheaper on MSRP at $52 MSRP versus $205 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 295.7% better value on MSRP (85.7 vs 21.7 PassMark/$), 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 G6900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2012), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155, and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900 vs Core i5-3550S 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 i5-3550S

The Core i5-3550S 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 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,442 points. Launch price was $350.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G6900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-3550S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3550S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550S — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550S (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-3550S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900 scores 4,458 against the Core i5-3550S's 4,442 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron G6900. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,563 vs 619, a 86.5% lead for the Celeron G6900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3550S.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-3550S
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+13%	3 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	4,442
Geekbench 6 Single	1,563+153%	619
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,631	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-3550S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3550S — 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 i5-3550S) — 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 H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-3550S).

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-3550S
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+200%	DDR3-1600
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

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3550S). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 710 (Celeron G6900) and HD Graphics 2500 (Core i5-3550S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900 targets Budget, Core i5-3550S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900 rivals Pentium Gold G7400; Core i5-3550S rivals FX-6350.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-3550S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 710	HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Legacy Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G6900 was priced at $52, while the Core i5-3550S came in at $205. On launch pricing ($52 vs $205), Celeron G6900 was $153 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900 delivers 85.7 pts/$ vs 21.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-3550S — making the Celeron G6900 the 119.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-3550S
MSRP	$52-75%	$205
Performance per Dollar	85.7+295%	21.7
Release Date	2022	2012

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