Intel Celeron G6900 vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

The Intel Celeron G6900 and Intel Core i5-14401E are both desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, but they occupy opposite ends of the performance spectrum. Benchmark data in the database shows the Core i5-14401E wins every recorded head-to-head test, often by a margin of roughly four to five times the Celeron’s score. The Celeron G6900, however, remains a viable entry-level part for basic tasks, while the i5-14401E is clearly aimed at users who need substantial multi-threaded throughput. This analysis breaks down the architecture, benchmark results, and appropriate use cases for each chip based solely on the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Celeron G6900 has 2 cores and 2 threads. This difference directly explains the large multi-core performance gap.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Celeron G6900 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and no listed boost clock, whereas the i5-14401E has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The higher boost capability is a major factor in single-thread performance.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Celeron G6900 does not. This makes the i5-14401E more suitable for workstation or reliability-focused builds.

Q: How do their integrated graphics differ?

A: The Celeron G6900 comes with UHD Graphics 710, while the i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730. The i5-14401E’s graphics solution is a step up in the product stack.

Q: What is the L3 cache size for each processor?

A: The Celeron G6900 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-14401E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger cache benefits the i5 in workloads that reuse data frequently.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Celeron G6900 has an average benchmark score of 5561, while the i5-14401E has an average benchmark score of 5253. Note that the Celeron’s average is higher due to its inclusion of PassMark tests, while the i5-14401E only has Cinebench results recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different Intel microarchitectures. The Celeron G6900 uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-S codename, while the i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process node at Intel’s foundry, but the underlying designs differ significantly.

The core configuration is the most obvious difference. The Celeron G6900 is a dual-core part with 2 threads, while the i5-14401E is a hexa-core part with 12 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. This quadruples the thread count, which directly impacts parallel workloads. The i5-14401E also has a higher die size of 215 mm², whereas the Celeron G6900 has no recorded die size.

Cache hierarchy is also distinct. Both chips have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is far larger on the i5-14401E: 20 MB versus 4 MB on the Celeron. This means the i5 can hold much more working data closer to the cores, reducing the need to access main memory.

Memory support is identical in terms of types (DDR4 and DDR5) and bus width (dual-channel), but the i5-14401E adds ECC memory support, which the Celeron lacks. PCIe capability also differs: the Celeron is listed as Gen 5, while the i5-14401E is listed as Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This suggests the i5 has more dedicated PCIe lanes for discrete graphics or other expansion.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Celeron G6900 uses UHD Graphics 710, while the i5-14401E uses UHD Graphics 730. Both are integrated, but the i5’s version is a higher tier in Intel’s naming scheme.

The release dates are far apart: the Celeron launched on January 3, 2022, while the i5-14401E launched on June 30, 2024. The i5 is a newer part, belonging to the Core 14th Gen series, while the Celeron is from the Alder Lake generation.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-14401E wins in every recorded test. There are no tests where the Celeron G6900 comes out ahead. The i5-14401E dominates both single-core and multi-core workloads in the Cinebench suite.

For single-threaded tasks, such as everyday responsiveness, light productivity, or older games that rely on a single core, the i5-14401E is far ahead. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2564 is nearly five times the Celeron’s 537. This means the i5 will feel snappier in most interactive applications.

For multi-threaded workloads, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or compiling code, the i5-14401E is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18161 is more than four times the Celeron’s 3808. The i5’s 6 cores and 12 threads provide a massive advantage in any parallel task.

The Celeron G6900, however, has its place in the database’s percentile rankings. It sits at the 61st percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-14401E sits at the 60th percentile. This is due to the Celeron’s PassMark results, which include tests like data compression, encryption, and integer math. In those tests, the Celeron scores 44464 in data compression, 2235 in data encryption, and 9577 in integer math. These are respectable numbers for a dual-core chip, but they do not translate to wins over the i5 because the i5 has no PassMark results recorded.

The Celeron also has a lower TDP of 46 watts compared to the i5’s 65 watts, which could make it easier to cool in small form factor systems, though this is not directly measured in the benchmark data.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors according to the database:

• Cores: 2 (Celeron) vs 6 (i5)
• Threads: 2 (Celeron) vs 12 (i5)
• Base clock: 3.40 GHz (Celeron) vs 2.50 GHz (i5)
• Boost clock: None listed (Celeron) vs 4.70 GHz (i5)
• TDP: 46 W (Celeron) vs 65 W (i5)
• Architecture: Alder Lake (Celeron) vs Raptor Lake (i5)
• Codename: Alder Lake-S (Celeron) vs Raptor Lake-R (i5)
• Generation: Celeron (Alder Lake-S) vs Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh)
• Die size: Not listed (Celeron) vs 215 mm² (i5)
• L3 cache: 4 MB shared (Celeron) vs 20 MB shared (i5)
• ECC memory: No (Celeron) vs Yes (i5)
• PCIe: Gen 5 (Celeron) vs Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (i5)
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 710 (Celeron) vs UHD Graphics 730 (i5)
• Release date: 2022-01-03 (Celeron) vs 2024-06-30 (i5)
• Launch MSRP: $52 (Celeron) vs Not listed (i5)
• Part number: SRL67 (Celeron) vs Q49JSRNJS (i5)

The two chips share the same process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), socket (Intel Socket 1700), L1 cache per core (80 KB), L2 cache per core (1.25 MB), memory types (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), and market segment (Desktop). Both are production-active and have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head Cinebench tests, and the Intel Core i5-14401E wins all six. The margin is consistent, with delta percentages around -79% from the Celeron’s perspective, meaning the i5 scores roughly 4.8 times higher in each test.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-14401E scores 1830 against the Celeron’s 383, a delta of -79.1%. This test is heavily multi-threaded, and the i5’s 12 threads versus 2 threads explains the massive gap. The single-core R15 test shows 258 for the i5 versus 54 for the Celeron, also -79.1%. Even in a single-core test, the i5’s higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz and newer architecture deliver a huge lead.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. Multi-core: 7627 for the i5 versus 1599 for the Celeron, a -79% delta. Single-core: 1076 for the i5 versus 225 for the Celeron, a -79.1% delta. The i5’s single-core score is more than 4.7 times the Celeron’s, which is a remarkable difference for a single-threaded workload.

Cinebench R23, the most recent test in the database, shows the largest absolute gap. Multi-core: 18161 for the i5 versus 3808 for the Celeron, a -79% delta. Single-core: 2564 for the i5 versus 537 for the Celeron, a -79.1% delta. The i5’s multi-core result is nearly 14,400 points higher, which is decisive for any rendering or encoding workload.

The Celeron G6900 has additional PassMark benchmarks recorded, but the i5-14401E does not have these tests in the database. Therefore, no head-to-head comparison can be made for PassMark tests. The existing data shows that the i5-14401E is faster in every comparable test.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-14401E is the superior processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins of approximately 79% in favor of the i5. For users who need multi-threaded performance for rendering, video editing, or software compilation, the i5-14401E is the only choice between these two. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, combined with a 20 MB L3 cache and a 4.70 GHz boost clock, make it a powerful desktop part.

The Intel Celeron G6900, by contrast, is a fundamentally different product. With 2 cores, 2 threads, and a 3.40 GHz base clock, it is designed for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, or light media playback. Its PassMark scores, such as 44464 in data compression and 11956 in floating point math, show it can handle simple workloads, but they do not indicate any competitive advantage over the i5.

The Celeron does have a lower TDP of 46 watts versus 65 watts, which may appeal to builders of ultra-low-power systems, but the database provides no direct power or thermal efficiency benchmarks to compare. The Celeron also has a recorded launch MSRP of $52, while the i5-14401E has no launch MSRP listed, so no price comparison can be made.

For most desktop users, the i5-14401E is the clear recommendation based on performance alone. Its percentile rank of 60 versus the Celeron’s 61 is misleading, as the Celeron’s rank is boosted by PassMark tests that are not recorded for the i5. In direct Cinebench comparisons, the i5 is roughly five times faster in both single-core and multi-core workloads.

The Celeron G6900, however, is not without merit. It is a low-power, entry-level part that can handle everyday tasks without issue, as evidenced by its PassMark single-thread score of 2709 and multi-thread score of 4488. For a secondary PC, a home server running lightweight services, or a basic office machine, the Celeron is sufficient. But for any workload that benefits from higher core counts or faster single-core performance, the i5-14401E is the decisive winner.

In summary, the i5-14401E is the processor to pick for productivity and performance, while the Celeron G6900 serves only the most basic computing needs. The benchmark data leaves no room for a different conclusion.