Celeron G6900 vs Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Celeron G6900

2 Cores2 Thrd46 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Celeron G6900 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ryzen 5 3600 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 Ryzen 5 3600: 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

  • +38.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Costs $147 less on MSRP ($52 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • Draws 46W instead of 65W, a 19W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 710, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +136.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G6900.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 2,631).
  • 282.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$52 MSRP
  • 41.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 46W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 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 Ryzen 5 3600 better than Celeron G6900?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 136.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G6900 pulls ahead with 38.6% better Geekbench multi-core. Ryzen 5 3600 also has the bigger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
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 38.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 282.7% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $52 MSRP, and it still gives you a 136.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G6900 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 38.6% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 3.7% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 85.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

Processing Power

The Celeron G6900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900 scores 4,458 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 119.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,563 vs 1,295, a 18.8% lead for the Celeron G6900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,631 vs 1,898 (32.4% advantage for the Celeron G6900). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCeleron G6900Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock
3.4 GHz
3.6 GHz+6%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+700%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
4,458
17,685+297%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,563+21%
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,631+39%
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Celeron G6900 supports 50% 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 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Celeron G6900) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

FeatureCeleron G6900Ryzen 5 3600
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+50%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Celeron G6900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 710), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900 rivals Pentium Gold G7400; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureCeleron G6900Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 710
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Yes
Target Use
Budget
Gaming/Budget Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G6900 was priced at $52, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($52 vs $199), Celeron G6900 was $147 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900 delivers 85.7 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 3.6% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G6900Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP
$52-74%
$199
Performance per Dollar
85.7
88.9+4%
Release Date
2022
2019

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