Celeron G6900TE vs Core i5-4278U

Intel

Celeron G6900TE

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-4278U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2014
Similar parts
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Celeron G6900TE vs Core i5-4278U 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 G6900TE vs Core i5-4278U 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 G6900TE vs Core i5-4278U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G6900TE

2022

Why buy it

  • +57.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
  • Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1168 and older memory support.
  • 66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $53 MSRP, while Core i5-4278U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4278U

2014

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (889 vs 1,400).
    • Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,860 vs 2,457).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
    • 1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
    • Older platform position on FCBGA1168, while Celeron G6900TE moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Celeron G6900TE better than Core i5-4278U?
    Yes. Celeron G6900TE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 32.1% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 G6900TE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% 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 G6900TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 32.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Celeron G6900TE is the better buy right now. Celeron G6900TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $53 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (52.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G6900TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1168, 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), 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 G6900TE vs Core i5-4278U Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Celeron G6900TE

    The Celeron G6900TE 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,782 points. Launch price was $69.

    Intel

    Core i5-4278U

    The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.

    Processing Power

    The Celeron G6900TE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4278U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900TE versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U — a 25.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-4278U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Celeron G6900TE uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-4278U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G6900TE scores 2,782 against the Core i5-4278U's 2,826 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i5-4278U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,400 vs 889, a 44.6% lead for the Celeron G6900TE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,457 vs 1,860 (27.7% advantage for the Celeron G6900TE). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900TE vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4278U.

    FeatureCeleron G6900TECore i5-4278U
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 4
    Boost Clock
    2.4 GHz
    3.1 GHz+29%
    Base Clock
    2.4 GHz
    2.6 GHz+8%
    L3 Cache
    4 MB (total)+33%
    3 MB
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)+150%
    512 kB
    Process
    10 nm-55%
    22 nm
    Architecture
    Alder Lake-S (2022)
    Haswell (2013−2015)
    PassMark
    2,782
    2,826+2%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    1,688
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,400+57%
    889
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    2,457+32%
    1,860
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Celeron G6900TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-4278U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900TE versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4278U — the Celeron G6900TE supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G6900TE supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Celeron G6900TE) vs 12 (Core i5-4278U) — the Celeron G6900TE offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Celeron G6900TE) and Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i5-4278U).

    FeatureCeleron G6900TECore i5-4278U
    Socket
    LGA1700
    FCBGA1168
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0+67%
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-4800+200%
    DDR3L-1600
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB+700%
    16 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    20+67%
    12
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron G6900TE) vs true (Core i5-4278U). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 710 (Celeron G6900TE) and Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4278U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G6900TE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G6900TE rivals Pentium Gold G7400T.

    FeatureCeleron G6900TECore i5-4278U
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    UHD Graphics 710
    Intel Iris Graphics 5100
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x
    true
    Target Use
    Budget