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 i3-8121U 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 i3-8121U: 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

✅+32.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 710, while Core i3-8121U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $53 MSRP, while Core i3-8121U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌206.7% higher power demand at 46W vs 15W.

Core i3-8121U

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 46W, a 31W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,178 vs 1,563).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,250 vs 2,631).
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Celeron G6900E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G6900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G6900E better than Core i3-8121U?

Yes. Celeron G6900E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 16.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.0% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron G6900E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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, Celeron G6900E is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G6900E is the better buy right now. Celeron G6900E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $53 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (80.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G6900E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900E vs Core i3-8121U 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 i3-8121U

The Core i3-8121U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,271 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron G6900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-8121U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Celeron G6900E versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-8121U — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-8121U (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron G6900E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-8121U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900E scores 4,272 against the Core i3-8121U's 4,271 — a 0% lead for the Celeron G6900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,563 vs 1,178, a 28.1% lead for the Celeron G6900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,631 vs 2,250 (15.6% advantage for the Celeron G6900E). Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i3-8121U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3 GHz+36%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,272	4,271
Geekbench 6 Single	1,563+33%	1,178
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,631+17%	2,250

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i3-8121U uses BGA1440 (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 i3-8121U — 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 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Celeron G6900E) vs 16 (Core i3-8121U) — the Celeron G6900E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Celeron G6900E) and SoC (Core i3-8121U).

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i3-8121U
Socket	LGA1700	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+100%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i3-8121U supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8121U). The Celeron G6900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 710), while the Core i3-8121U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900E targets Budget, Core i3-8121U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900E rivals Pentium Gold G7400; Core i3-8121U rivals Core i3-8130U.