Celeron G6900E vs Core i3-8140U

Intel

Celeron G6900E

2 Cores2 Thrd46 WWMax: 3 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core i3-8140U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2019

Celeron G6900E vs Core i3-8140U 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 G6900E vs Core i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U: 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

  • +27.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1528 and DDR4.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $53 MSRP, while Core i3-8140U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 206.7% higher power demand at 46W vs 15W.

Core i3-8140U

2019

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,225 vs 1,563).
  • Lower PassMark (4,227 vs 4,272).
  • Older platform position on FCBGA1528 with DDR4, while Celeron G6900E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G6900E better than Core i3-8140U?
Yes. Celeron G6900E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better 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 1.2% 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 1.1% better PassMark, 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 $53 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (80.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1528, 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 i3-8140U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i3-8140U

The Core i3-8140U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2019 (6 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 4,227 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Celeron G6900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-8140U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Celeron G6900E versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8140U — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-8140U (base: 3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Celeron G6900E is built on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. In PassMark, the Celeron G6900E scores 4,272 against the Core i3-8140U's 4,227 — a 1.1% lead for the Celeron G6900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,563 vs 1,225, a 24.2% lead for the Celeron G6900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900E vs 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-8140U.

FeatureCeleron G6900ECore i3-8140U
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3 GHz
3.9 GHz+30%
Base Clock
3 GHz+43%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
4 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
10 nm-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark
4,272+1%
4,227
Geekbench 6 Single
1,563+28%
1,225
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,631
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i3-8140U uses FCBGA1528 (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 i3-8140U — 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 i3-8140U) — the Celeron G6900E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCeleron G6900ECore i3-8140U
Socket
LGA1700
FCBGA1528
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
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8140U). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 710 (Celeron G6900E) and UHD Graphics 620 (Core i3-8140U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900E targets Budget, Core i3-8140U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900E rivals Pentium Gold G7400; Core i3-8140U rivals Ryzen 3 3300U.

FeatureCeleron G6900ECore i3-8140U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 710
UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Budget
Mainstream Laptop