AMD EPYC 7281 vs Intel Celeron G6900 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database records a complete sweep for the AMD EPYC 7281 across all six shared Cinebench tests. In every workload, the EPYC 7281 outperforms the Intel Celeron G6900 by a substantial margin, with a consistent delta of 79.3% in favor of the AMD part. This uniformity is striking: whether the test stresses a single core or all available threads, the EPYC 7281 maintains the same relative advantage.

Looking at the multicore results, the EPYC 7281 scores 1,852 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 383 for the Celeron G6900. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the gap widens further: 7,718 versus 1,599. The R23 multicore test shows the EPYC 7281 at 18,377 while the Celeron G6900 manages 3,808. These are not incremental differences; the EPYC 7281 delivers roughly four to five times the throughput in heavily threaded workloads.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though the absolute scores are lower. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the EPYC 7281 posts 261 against the Celeron G6900's 54. R20 single-core sees 1,089 versus 225. R23 single-core shows 2,594 versus 537. The 79.3% delta appears in every test, which indicates a consistent architectural and clock-speed advantage for the EPYC 7281 in these Cinebench workloads.

It is worth remembering the Celeron G6900 has no benchmark wins in this head-to-head comparison. The database records 0 wins for the Intel part and 6 wins for the AMD EPYC 7281. This is a one-sided matchup in the recorded data, with no test where the Celeron G6900 takes the lead.

The average benchmark score in the database places the Celeron G6900 at 5,561, which is nearly identical to the EPYC 7281's 5,315 average. However, this aggregate metric includes different benchmark suites for each processor. The Celeron G6900 has a broader set of PassMark tests recorded, while the EPYC 7281's database entries are limited to Cinebench workloads. The head-to-head comparison isolates the shared tests, and there the EPYC 7281 is clearly dominant.

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7281 wins in every recorded benchmark category shared between the two processors. That includes all six Cinebench tests, both multicore and single-core variants. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the EPYC 7281 is the choice based on the recorded data.

The Celeron G6900 does have a larger benchmark portfolio in the database, with additional PassMark scores that are not part of the head-to-head comparison. These include data compression at 44,464, data encryption at 2,235, extended instructions at 4,201, find prime numbers at 34, floating point math at 11,956, integer math at 9,577, multithread at 4,488, physics at 407, random string sorting at 5,149, and single-thread at 2,709. These scores are not directly comparable to the EPYC 7281 since the AMD part lacks corresponding entries in the database.

In terms of market positioning, the EPYC 7281 targets server and workstation workloads, while the Celeron G6900 is a desktop processor. The EPYC 7281's 16 cores and 32 threads versus the Celeron G6900's 2 cores and 2 threads explain the multicore gap. For single-threaded tasks, the EPYC 7281's base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost clock of 2.70 GHz compare to the Celeron G6900's 3.40 GHz base clock with no boost clock listed. Despite the Celeron G6900's higher base frequency, the EPYC 7281 still wins single-core Cinebench tests by the same 79.3% margin, which suggests the Zen architecture's per-core efficiency exceeds what the Alder Lake-based Celeron delivers in these workloads.

The Celeron G6900's integrated UHD Graphics 710 is a feature the EPYC 7281 lacks entirely. For systems that need display output without a discrete GPU, the Celeron G6900 has that capability. The EPYC 7281 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for server processors.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The Intel Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-S codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The AMD EPYC 7281 uses the Zen architecture with the Naples codename, manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process node.

Core counts differ dramatically. The Celeron G6900 has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the EPYC 7281 has 16 cores and 32 threads. This 8x core advantage and 16x thread advantage for the AMD part is the primary driver behind the multicore benchmark results.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Celeron G6900 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7281 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7281's L3 cache is eight times larger in total, which benefits workloads with large working sets.

Memory support differs substantially. The Celeron G6900 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The EPYC 7281 supports DDR4 in an eight-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. The EPYC 7281 also supports ECC memory, while the Celeron G6900 does not.

PCIe generations differ as well. The Celeron G6900 supports PCIe Gen 5, while the EPYC 7281 is limited to PCIe Gen 3. This is a notable advantage for the Intel part in terms of I/O bandwidth potential, though the EPYC 7281's server platform likely provides more total lanes.

Power and socket specifications are also distinct. The Celeron G6900 has a 46 W TDP and uses Intel Socket 1700. The EPYC 7281 has a 170 W TDP and uses AMD Socket SP3. The EPYC 7281's power draw is significantly higher, reflecting its server-class core count and memory bandwidth.

The EPYC 7281 has a transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 213 mm². The Celeron G6900's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. The EPYC 7281's multiplier is unlocked, while the Celeron G6900's is locked.

Release dates place these products in different eras. The Celeron G6900 was released on January 3, 2022, while the EPYC 7281 was released on June 28, 2017. Despite the Celeron G6900 being newer, the EPYC 7281's higher core count and server-focused design dominate in compute benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7281 has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Celeron G6900 has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The EPYC 7281 scores 18,377 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Celeron G6900 scores 3,808. The EPYC 7281 leads by 79.3% in this test.

Q: Does the Intel Celeron G6900 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Celeron G6900 includes UHD Graphics 710. The AMD EPYC 7281 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: The Celeron G6900 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The EPYC 7281 supports DDR4 in eight-channel mode with a recorded memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD EPYC 7281 supports ECC memory. The Intel Celeron G6900 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Celeron G6900 is built on a 10 nm process node. The AMD EPYC 7281 is built on a 14 nm process node by GlobalFoundries.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Celeron G6900 | AMD EPYC 7281 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 16 |

| Threads | 2 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | Not listed | 2.70 GHz |

| TDP | 46 W | 170 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Naples |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | Not listed | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 213 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 170.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5 | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 710 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2022-01-03 | 2017-06-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $52 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRL67 | Not listed |

The specification table highlights the fundamental differences between these two processors. The EPYC 7281 is a server-class part with massive core counts, large cache, eight-channel memory, and ECC support. The Celeron G6900 is a low-power desktop chip with integrated graphics, PCIe Gen 5, and modern DDR5 support. In compute benchmarks, the EPYC 7281 dominates. In platform features like integrated graphics and newer PCIe generation, the Celeron G6900 has advantages that are not reflected in the Cinebench scores. The database shows a clear performance hierarchy in shared workloads, with the EPYC 7281 ahead by 79.3% across all six head-to-head tests.