Core i5-3550S vs Celeron G6900

Core i5-3550S

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012

Celeron G6900

2 Cores2 Thrd46 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3550S

4 / 4

4,442

0.0%

4,458

+0.4%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core i5-3550S is positioned at rank #758 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3550S

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

14385%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

13592%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

9869%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2973%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2355%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2060%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1180%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1165%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1060%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1060%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1048%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1020%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1006%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1002%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

993%

#758

Core i5-3550S

MSRP: $205|Avg: $100

100%

#759

FX-8140

MSRP: $225|Avg: $120

100%

#760

Athlon X2 450

MSRP: $60|Avg: $15

100%

#761

Athlon II X3 450

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

99%

#762

Core i7-4790

MSRP: $339|Avg: $60

99%

#763

Pentium G640

MSRP: $64|Avg: $5

99%

#764

Pentium G840

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

99%

#765

Core i5-6440EQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

98%

#767

Core i5-4590T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $130

98%

#769

Celeron G530T

MSRP: $50|Avg: $17

97%

#770

Core i7-4770K

MSRP: $339|Avg: $100

97%

#771

A10-9700

MSRP: $169|Avg: $40

97%

#772

Core i5-2400

MSRP: $184|Avg: $25

97%

#773

Core i7-5775C

MSRP: $366|Avg: $150

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron G6900

#307

Core 3 100HL

MSRP: $306|Avg: $280

108%

#308

Core i9-11900F

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $358.87

106%

#309

Core i9-9900T

MSRP: $423|Avg: $215

106%

#310

Core i5-9500T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $132

106%

#311

Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE

MSRP: $349|Avg: $349

104%

#312

Core i9-10940X

MSRP: $784|Avg: $460

104%

#313

Core i9-10920X

MSRP: $689|Avg: $430

104%

#314

Core i7-10700

MSRP: $365|Avg: $268

104%

#315

Core i5-9600K

MSRP: $263|Avg: $178

103%

#316

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1400

103%

#317

Ryzen 7 PRO 4750GE

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

103%

#318

Core i3-10305T

MSRP: $143|Avg: $143

103%

#319

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

101%

#320

Core i3-10100

MSRP: $122|Avg: $146

101%

#321

Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE

MSRP: $311|Avg: $311

101%

#322

Celeron G6900

MSRP: $52|Avg: $77

100%

#323

Core i9-11900K

MSRP: $539|Avg: $435

99%

#324

Core i7-12700TE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $350

97%

#325

Core i9-12900E

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

97%

#326

Celeron G4900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $40

97%

#327

Ryzen Threadripper 2920X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $452

96%

#328

Core i9-9900KS

MSRP: $513|Avg: $350

96%

#329

Core i5-11600T

MSRP: $262|Avg: $262

95%

#330

Core i9-9900K

MSRP: $488|Avg: $331

94%

#331

Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

MSRP: $899|Avg: $540

94%

#332

Celeron G4930T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

94%

#333

Core i9-9920X

MSRP: $1189|Avg: $464

93%

#334

Core i3-9100

MSRP: $122|Avg: $125

91%

#335

Core i9-10900X

MSRP: $590|Avg: $425

91%

#336

Core i7-8700T

MSRP: $303|Avg: $196

90%

#337

Ryzen 5 3600XT

MSRP: $249|Avg: $357

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron G6900 (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-3550S	Celeron G6900
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)	✅ More affordable ($77)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-3550S (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-3550S	Celeron G6900
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+30%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)	✅ More affordable ($77)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-3550S Benchmark Check

Celeron G6900 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3550S and Celeron G6900

Core i5-3550S

The Core i5-3550S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,442 points. Launch price was $350.

Celeron G6900

The Celeron G6900 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 46 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 4,458 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3550S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron G6900 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i5-3550S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550S versus 3.4 GHz on the Celeron G6900 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550S (base: 3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-3550S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron G6900 uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550S scores 4,442 against the Celeron G6900's 4,458 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron G6900. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 619 vs 1,563, a 86.5% lead for the Celeron G6900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3550S vs 4 MB (total) on the Celeron G6900.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	Celeron G6900
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	4,442	4,458
Geekbench 6 Single	619	1,563+153%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,631

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Celeron G6900 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3550S versus DDR5-4800 on the Celeron G6900 — the Celeron G6900 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron G6900 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3550S) vs 20 (Celeron G6900) — the Celeron G6900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-3550S) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Celeron G6900).

Feature	Core i5-3550S	Celeron G6900
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR5-4800+67%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3550S) vs VT-x (Celeron G6900). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2500 (Core i5-3550S) and UHD Graphics 710 (Celeron G6900) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3550S targets Legacy Desktop, Celeron G6900 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-3550S rivals FX-6350; Celeron G6900 rivals Pentium Gold G7400.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	Celeron G6900
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	UHD Graphics 710
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3550S launched at $205 MSRP, while the Celeron G6900 debuted at $52. At current prices ($100 vs $77), the Celeron G6900 is $23 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550S delivers 44.4 pts/$ vs 57.9 pts/$ for the Celeron G6900 — making the Celeron G6900 the 26.3% better value option.