AMD Athlon X4 860K vs Intel Celeron G6900TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data paints a consistent picture across every Cinebench workload tested: the AMD Athlon X4 860K outperforms the Intel Celeron G6900TE in all five head-to-head comparisons. The margins are tight but uniform, with the AMD part leading by roughly 8% in each test.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Athlon X4 860K scores 294 against the Celeron's 270, a delta of -8.2% from the Intel part's perspective. The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows a similar gap: 1225 versus 1128, or -7.9%. Moving to Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD chip posts 2918 while the Celeron manages 2687, again a -7.9% difference.

Single-threaded results follow the same pattern, which is notable given the architectural differences between the two processors. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Athlon X4 860K delivers 172 points against the Celeron's 159, a -7.6% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 411 versus 379, a -7.8% difference. The consistency of these margins suggests the AMD processor holds a modest but reliable advantage across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this hierarchy. The Athlon X4 860K carries an average score of 943, while the Celeron G6900TE sits at 925. The Celeron's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i3-4350T at 926 (a -0.2% delta), the Intel Core i5-4288U at 927 (-0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-870 at 928 (-0.3%). The AMD Athlon X4 860K's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2715QE at 942 (0.1%), the AMD A8-7670K at 944 (-0.1%), and the Intel Core i3-8145U at 941 (0.2%). Both processors land at the 25th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite the Athlon's consistent head-to-head edge.

The Celeron G6900TE also has a Geekbench multicore score missing from its record, while the Athlon X4 860K posts 1126 in Geekbench multicore and 454 in Geekbench single-core. These additional data points, though not directly comparable without a matching Celeron result, further demonstrate the Athlon's broader benchmark coverage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 860K wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests recorded in the database, with no wins credited to the Intel Celeron G6900TE.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The Athlon X4 860K leads by 7.9% in both Cinebench R20 multicore (1225 vs 1128) and Cinebench R23 multicore (2918 vs 2687), and by 8.2% in Cinebench R15 multicore (294 vs 270).

Q: Does the Celeron close the gap in single-core tests?

A: No. The Athlon still leads, though by a slightly smaller margin. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 172 vs 159 (-7.6%), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 411 vs 379 (-7.8%).

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 860K has an average benchmark score of 943, while the Intel Celeron G6900TE averages 925. Both sit at the 25th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Celeron G6900TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The AMD Athlon X4 860K supports only DDR3.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Celeron G6900TE includes UHD Graphics 710. The AMD Athlon X4 860K has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Celeron G6900TE is built on Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-S codename, using a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It was released in January 2022 and remains in active production. The AMD Athlon X4 860K, by contrast, uses the Steamroller architecture under the Kaveri codename, fabricated on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It launched in August 2014 and is now end-of-life.

Core counts differ substantially. The Celeron is a dual-core part with two threads, while the Athlon X4 860K is a true quad-core processor with four threads. The Athlon also runs at higher clock speeds: its base clock is 3.70 GHz with a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, whereas the Celeron's base clock is 2.40 GHz with no boost clock listed. The Athlon's multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Celeron's multiplier remains locked.

Cache hierarchies reflect the different design targets. The Celeron G6900TE provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Athlon X4 860K offers 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache listed. The Athlon's transistor count is listed at 2,411 million on a 245 mm² die, while the Celeron's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Memory support marks a clear generational split. The Celeron supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, whereas the Athlon is limited to DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. PCIe capabilities also differ: the Celeron supports PCIe Gen 5, while the Athlon uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Celeron includes UHD Graphics 710 integrated graphics; the Athlon has none.

Power and platform requirements diverge sharply. The Celeron G6900TE carries a 35 W TDP and fits the Intel Socket 1700. The Athlon X4 860K draws 95 W and uses the AMD Socket FM2+. Production status also separates them, with the Intel part still active and the AMD part marked end-of-life.

The Verdict

The benchmark data consistently favors the AMD Athlon X4 860K in raw compute performance. Across all five shared Cinebench tests, the AMD processor leads by margins between 7.6% and 8.2%. Its average benchmark score of 943 also tops the Celeron's 925. For workloads that depend on multi-threaded throughput, such as rendering or encoding, the Athlon's four physical cores provide a tangible advantage over the Celeron's two cores with two threads.

However, the decision is not purely about benchmark scores. The Intel Celeron G6900TE offers a dramatically lower 35 W TDP compared to the Athlon's 95 W, making it the more power-efficient choice. It also supports modern memory standards (DDR4 and DDR5) and PCIe Gen 5, while the Athlon is confined to DDR3 and PCIe Gen 3. The Celeron includes integrated graphics, which the Athlon lacks, potentially simplifying system builds that do not use a discrete GPU.

The production status matters for new system designs. The Celeron G6900TE remains active, while the Athlon X4 860K is end-of-life. Buyers looking for long-term availability and modern platform features should lean toward the Intel part. Buyers prioritizing maximum compute performance from the recorded data, and who are willing to accept higher power draw and an obsolete platform, would choose the AMD Athlon X4 860K.

Both processors sit at the 25th percentile in the database, indicating they occupy a similar low-to-mid tier of overall performance. The Athlon's edge is real but modest, yet it comes with trade-offs in power efficiency, memory support, and platform longevity. The data suggests no scenario where one part is universally superior; the right choice depends on whether performance or platform features matter more for a given use case. The Celeron's modern node, lower TDP, and active status make it a forward-looking option, while the Athlon's quad-core design delivers the better benchmark results today.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Celeron G6900TE and the AMD Athlon X4 860K:

• Cores: Intel 2, AMD 4
• Threads: Intel 2, AMD 4
• Base clock: Intel 2.40 GHz, AMD 3.70 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel none listed, AMD 4.00 GHz
• TDP: Intel 35 W, AMD 95 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700, AMD Socket FM2+
• Architecture: Intel Alder Lake, AMD Steamroller
• Codename: Intel Alder Lake-S, AMD Kaveri
• Process node: Intel 10 nm, AMD 28 nm
• Foundry: Intel, GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: Intel not listed, AMD 2,411 million
• Die size: Intel not listed, AMD 245 mm²
• L1 cache: Intel 80 KB per core, AMD 256 KB
• L2 cache: Intel 1.25 MB per core, AMD 4 MB
• L3 cache: Intel 4 MB shared, AMD none
• Memory support: Intel DDR4 and DDR5, AMD DDR3
• Memory bandwidth: Intel not listed, AMD 34.1 GB/s
• PCIe: Intel Gen 5, AMD Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 710, AMD none
• Production status: Intel Active, AMD End-of-life
• Release date: Intel 2022-01-03, AMD 2014-08-11
• Multiplier unlocked: Intel no, AMD yes
• Part number: Intel SRL68, AMD AD860KXBJABOXAD860KWOHLBOXAD860KXBJASBXAD860KXBI44JA

Both processors use dual-channel memory buses, do not support ECC memory, and share the desktop market segment. Neither has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.