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 i5-2550K 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 i5-2550K: 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

✅+121.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $182 less on MSRP ($53 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
✅Delivers 348.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 80.6 vs 18.0 PassMark/$ ($53 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
✅Draws 46W instead of 95W, a 49W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2550K.

Core i5-2550K

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G6900E.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (707 vs 1,563).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,010 vs 2,631).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.0 vs 80.6 PassMark/$ ($235 MSRP vs $53 MSRP).
❌106.5% higher power demand at 95W vs 46W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1155, while Celeron G6900E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G6900E better than Core i5-2550K?

Yes. Celeron G6900E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 30.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 1.0% 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 1.7% 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 30.9% 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 $182 cheaper on MSRP at $53 MSRP versus $235 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 348.0% better value on MSRP (80.6 vs 18.0 PassMark/$), 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 2012), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155, and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Celeron G6900E vs Core i5-2550K 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 i5-2550K

The Core i5-2550K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,228 points. Launch price was $189.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G6900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-2550K offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2550K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Celeron G6900E versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-2550K — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-2550K (base: 3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Celeron G6900E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-2550K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900E scores 4,272 against the Core i5-2550K's 4,228 — a 1% lead for the Celeron G6900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,563 vs 707, a 75.4% lead for the Celeron G6900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,631 vs 2,010 (26.8% advantage for the Celeron G6900E). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900E vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2550K.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i5-2550K
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.8 GHz+27%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,272+1%	4,228
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,058
Geekbench 6 Single	1,563+121%	707
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,631+31%	2,010

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-2550K uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900E versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-2550K — the Celeron G6900E supports 200% 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 i5-2550K) — 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 Z77,Z75,Q77,H77,Q75,B75,Z68,P67,H67,Q67,B65,H61 (Core i5-2550K).

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i5-2550K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+200%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900E) vs Yes (Core i5-2550K). The Celeron G6900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 710), while the Core i5-2550K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900E targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900E rivals Pentium Gold G7400.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i5-2550K
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 710	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	Yes
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G6900E was priced at $53, while the Core i5-2550K came in at $235. On launch pricing ($53 vs $235), Celeron G6900E was $182 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900E delivers 80.6 pts/$ vs 18.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-2550K — making the Celeron G6900E the 127% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G6900E	Core i5-2550K
MSRP	$53-77%	$235
Performance per Dollar	80.6+348%	18.0
Release Date	2022	2012

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