Pentium Gold G6605 vs Steam Deck OLED APU

Intel

Pentium Gold G6605

2 Cores4 Thrd58 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2021
VS
AMD

Steam Deck OLED APU

4 Cores8 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2023

Pentium Gold G6605 vs Steam Deck OLED APU 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.

Pentium Gold G6605 vs Steam Deck OLED APU 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.

Pentium Gold G6605 vs Steam Deck OLED APU: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Gold G6605

2021

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Steam Deck OLED APU across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 2800% higher power demand at 58W vs 2W.

Steam Deck OLED APU

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 2W instead of 58W, a 56W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (4,457 vs 4,488).

Quick Answers

So, is Steam Deck OLED APU better than Pentium Gold G6605?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Steam Deck OLED APU is ahead with a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold G6605 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold G6605 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Steam Deck OLED APU still makes the most sense overall. Steam Deck OLED APU comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Steam Deck OLED APU makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Gold G6605 vs Steam Deck OLED APU Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium Gold G6605

The Pentium Gold G6605 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,488 points. Launch price was $86.

AMD

Steam Deck OLED APU

The Steam Deck OLED APU is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 November 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,457 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Pentium Gold G6605 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Steam Deck OLED APU offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Steam Deck OLED APU has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6605 versus 3.5 GHz on the Steam Deck OLED APU — a 20.5% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6605 (base: 4.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Pentium Gold G6605 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Steam Deck OLED APU uses Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold G6605 scores 4,488 against the Steam Deck OLED APU's 4,457 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium Gold G6605. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6605 vs 4 MB on the Steam Deck OLED APU.

FeaturePentium Gold G6605Steam Deck OLED APU
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+23%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
4.3 GHz+79%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
4 MB
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2 MB+700%
Process
14 nm
6 nm-57%
Architecture
Comet Lake-R (2021)
Van Gogh (Custom) (2023)
PassMark
4,488
4,457