Celeron G6900 vs Core i5-6442EQ

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 i5-6442EQ 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 i5-6442EQ: 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

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $198 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 378.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 85.7 vs 17.9 PassMark/$ ($52 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 710, while Core i5-6442EQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,458 vs 4,483).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌84% higher power demand at 46W vs 25W.

Core i5-6442EQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 46W, a 21W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Celeron G6900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.9 vs 85.7 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $52 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G6900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G6900 better than Core i5-6442EQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G6900 is ahead with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6442EQ pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i5-6442EQ also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6442EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% 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?

Celeron G6900 is the better buy right now. Celeron G6900 comes in $198 cheaper on MSRP at $52 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-6442EQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 378.1% better value on MSRP (85.7 vs 17.9 PassMark/$), 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 G6900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2015) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of the older platform. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900 vs Core i5-6442EQ 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 i5-6442EQ

The Core i5-6442EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 4,483 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G6900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-6442EQ offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6442EQ has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-6442EQ — a 56.6% clock advantage for the Celeron G6900. The Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-6442EQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900 scores 4,458 against the Core i5-6442EQ's 4,483 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-6442EQ. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6442EQ.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-6442EQ
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+79%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,458	4,483
Geekbench 6 Single	1,563	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,631	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G6900) / not specified (Core i5-6442EQ). The Celeron G6900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 710), while the Core i5-6442EQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900 rivals Pentium Gold G7400.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-6442EQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 710	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G6900 was priced at $52, while the Core i5-6442EQ came in at $250. On launch pricing ($52 vs $250), Celeron G6900 was $198 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900 delivers 85.7 pts/$ vs 17.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-6442EQ — making the Celeron G6900 the 130.8% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Core i5-6442EQ
MSRP	$52-79%	$250
Performance per Dollar	85.7+379%	17.9
Release Date	2022	2015

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