Celeron G6900E vs Core i5-6400T

Intel

Celeron G6900E

2 Cores2 Thrd46 WWMax: 3 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core i5-6400T

4 Cores4 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Celeron G6900E vs Core i5-6400T 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 i5-6400T 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 i5-6400T: 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

  • +64.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Costs $139 less on MSRP ($53 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • Delivers 264.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 80.6 vs 22.1 PassMark/$ ($53 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
  • 4500% higher power demand at 46W vs 1W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-6400T.

Core i5-6400T

2015

Why buy it

  • +50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Draws 1W instead of 46W, a 45W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron G6900E.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (950 vs 1,563).
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,600 vs 2,631).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.1 vs 80.6 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $53 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Celeron G6900E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G6900E better than Core i5-6400T?
Yes. Celeron G6900E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.7% 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 0.7% 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 1.2% 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 $139 cheaper on MSRP at $53 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 264.7% better value on MSRP (80.6 vs 22.1 PassMark/$), 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 2015), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 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 i5-6400T 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 i5-6400T

The Core i5-6400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,243 points. Launch price was $192.

Processing Power

The Celeron G6900E packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-6400T offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Celeron G6900E versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6400T — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Celeron G6900E (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Celeron G6900E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-6400T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900E scores 4,272 against the Core i5-6400T's 4,243 — a 0.7% lead for the Celeron G6900E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,563 vs 950, a 48.8% lead for the Celeron G6900E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,631 vs 2,600 (1.2% advantage for the Celeron G6900E). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900E vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6400T.

FeatureCeleron G6900ECore i5-6400T
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3 GHz+7%
2.8 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz+36%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
6 MB+50%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB
Process
10 nm-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
4,272
4,243
Cinebench R23 Multi
2,200
Geekbench 6 Single
1,563+65%
950
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,631+1%
2,600
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron G6900E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-6400T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900E versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6400T — the Celeron G6900E supports 125% 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 i5-6400T) — 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 H110,B150,H170,Z170,Z270 (Core i5-6400T).

FeatureCeleron G6900ECore i5-6400T
Socket
LGA1700
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800+125%
DDR4-2133
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 (Core i5-6400T). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 710 (Celeron G6900E) and HD 530 (Core i5-6400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900E targets Budget, Core i5-6400T targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900E rivals Pentium Gold G7400; Core i5-6400T rivals Core i3-7100.

FeatureCeleron G6900ECore i5-6400T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 710
HD 530
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G6900E was priced at $53, while the Core i5-6400T came in at $192. On launch pricing ($53 vs $192), Celeron G6900E was $139 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G6900E delivers 80.6 pts/$ vs 22.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-6400T — making the Celeron G6900E the 113.9% better value option.

FeatureCeleron G6900ECore i5-6400T
MSRP
$53-72%
$192
Performance per Dollar
80.6+265%
22.1
Release Date
2022
2015

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