Celeron G6900 vs Xeon E5-2603 v4

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 Xeon E5-2603 v4 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 Xeon E5-2603 v4: 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

✅Draws 46W instead of 85W, a 39W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 710, while Xeon E5-2603 v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,458 vs 4,517).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2603 v4, which brings 6 cores / 6 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $52 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2603 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2603 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+275% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 6 threads.

Trade-offs

❌84.8% higher power demand at 85W vs 46W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 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 Celeron G6900 better than Xeon E5-2603 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2603 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Celeron G6900 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2603 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 275% larger total L3 cache (15 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 at an unclear MSRP at $52 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2603 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (85.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2016) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900 vs Xeon E5-2603 v4 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.

Xeon E5-2603 v4

The Xeon E5-2603 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,517 points. Launch price was $213.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G6900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900 versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v4 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Celeron G6900 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900 scores 4,458 against the Xeon E5-2603 v4's 4,517 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2603 v4. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900 vs 15 MB on the Xeon E5-2603 v4.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Xeon E5-2603 v4
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+100%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+100%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	15 MB+275%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.5 MB+20%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
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 Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G6900	Xeon E5-2603 v4
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G6900) / not specified (Xeon E5-2603 v4). The Celeron G6900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 710), while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900 rivals Pentium Gold G7400.