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 G6900E vs Core i3-7100 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 G6900E vs Core i3-7100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron G6900E

2022

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $64 less on MSRP ($53 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 119.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 80.6 vs 36.8 PassMark/$ ($53 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Draws 46W instead of 51W, a 5W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,272 vs 4,306).

Core i3-7100

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 36.8 vs 80.6 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $53 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Celeron G6900E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7100 better than Celeron G6900E?

Yes. Core i3-7100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-7100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.1% 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, Core i3-7100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-7100 is still the faster CPU overall, but Celeron G6900E is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i3-7100 comes in 120.8% more expensive on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $53 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron G6900E is also 119.0% better value on MSRP (80.6 vs 36.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Celeron G6900E 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 G6900E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900E vs Core i3-7100 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron G6900E

The Celeron G6900E 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 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 46 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,272 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-7100

The Core i3-7100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,306 points. Launch price was $117.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G6900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-7100's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Celeron G6900E versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-7100 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-7100 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Celeron G6900E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-7100 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900E scores 4,272 against the Core i3-7100's 4,306 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-7100. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900E vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-7100.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i3-7100
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.9 GHz+30%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.9 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,272	4,306
Geekbench 6 Single	1,563	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,631	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i3-7100 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900E versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7100 — the Celeron G6900E supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G6900E supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Celeron G6900E) vs 16 (Core i3-7100) — the Celeron G6900E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i3-7100
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+100%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 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 G6900E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7100). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 710 (Celeron G6900E) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7100) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900E targets Budget, Core i3-7100 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900E rivals Pentium Gold G7400.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i3-7100
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 710	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G6900E was priced at $53, while the Core i3-7100 came in at $117. On launch pricing ($53 vs $117), Celeron G6900E was $64 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900E delivers 80.6 pts/$ vs 36.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-7100 — making the Celeron G6900E the 74.6% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i3-7100
MSRP	$53-55%	$117
Performance per Dollar	80.6+119%	36.8
Release Date	2022	2017

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