Celeron G6900 vs Steam Deck OLED APU

Intel

Celeron G6900

2 Cores2 Thrd46 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Steam Deck OLED APU

4 Cores8 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2023
Similar parts
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Celeron G6900 vs Steam Deck OLED APU 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 Steam Deck OLED APU 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 Steam Deck OLED APU: 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

  • +0% higher PassMark.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 710, while Steam Deck OLED APU needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Steam Deck OLED APU across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $52 MSRP, while Steam Deck OLED APU mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 2200% higher power demand at 46W vs 2W.

Steam Deck OLED APU

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 2W instead of 46W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (4,457 vs 4,458).
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G6900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Steam Deck OLED APU better than Celeron G6900?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Steam Deck OLED APU is ahead with a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G6900 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.
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% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Steam Deck OLED APU is still the faster CPU overall, but Celeron G6900 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Steam Deck OLED APU comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $52 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron G6900 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. Celeron G6900 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (85.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Steam Deck OLED APU makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron G6900 vs Steam Deck OLED APU 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

Steam Deck OLED APU

The Steam Deck OLED APU is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 November 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,457 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Celeron G6900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Steam Deck OLED APU offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Steam Deck OLED APU has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900 versus 3.5 GHz on the Steam Deck OLED APU — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Steam Deck OLED APU (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Steam Deck OLED APU uses Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900 scores 4,458 against the Steam Deck OLED APU's 4,457 — a 0% lead for the Celeron G6900. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900 vs 4 MB on the Steam Deck OLED APU.

FeatureCeleron G6900Steam Deck OLED APU
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
3.5 GHz+3%
Base Clock
3.4 GHz+42%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
4 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
2 MB+60%
Process
Intel 7 nm
6 nm-14%
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Van Gogh (Custom) (2023)
PassMark
4,458
4,457
Geekbench 6 Single
1,563
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,631
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Advanced Features

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

FeatureCeleron G6900Steam Deck OLED APU
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 710
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Budget