CPU Comparison

The Intel Celeron G6900E and Intel Core i5-6400 are an unusual pairing: a modern dual-core Alder Lake chip against a quad-core Skylake part from an older generation. The data shows a clear split in their performance profiles. In Cinebench tests, the Celeron G6900E edges ahead, while the i5-6400 dominates in Geekbench multicore. The G6900E wins 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, but that single loss is a large one. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 1321 for the Celeron against 1307 for the i5, placing both at the 35th percentile of all CPUs. The practical choice depends entirely on the workload and platform requirements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Celeron G6900E takes a narrow but consistent lead across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 366 against the i5-6400’s 364, a 0.5% advantage. The single-core R15 result is a tie at 51 points. Moving to Cinebench R20, the G6900E again wins by 0.5%, scoring 1525 versus 1517. The R23 multicore test shows the same pattern: 3632 for the Celeron against 3614 for the i5, a 0.5% edge. Single-core R23 is slightly closer, with the G6900E at 512 and the i5 at 510, a 0.4% difference. These are marginal wins, but they are consistent across every Cinebench iteration.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-6400 pulls ahead decisively, scoring 3134 against the Celeron’s 2702. That is a 13.8% lead for the i5, and it is the only benchmark where the i5 wins. However, the Celeron G6900E delivers a massive counterpunch in Geekbench single-core: it scores 1561 against the i5-6400’s 1048, a 49% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison, and it highlights the architectural gap between the two chips.

The Cinebench results suggest that for short, heavily threaded render tasks, the Celeron’s higher base clock and newer architecture offset its core deficit. The i5-6400’s four physical cores give it a real advantage in Geekbench multicore, which likely reflects a workload that scales more linearly with core count. The G6900E’s single-core dominance is stark: a 49% lead in Geekbench single-core is not a small margin. The data indicates that the G6900E is the better chip for single-threaded responsiveness, while the i5-6400 is the better chip for multi-threaded throughput in certain applications.

The Verdict

Pick the Intel Celeron G6900E if your priority is single-core performance and modern platform features. It wins 7 of 8 benchmarks and has a 49% lead in Geekbench single-core. The Cinebench wins are small, but they are wins nonetheless. The G6900E also runs on the newer Alder Lake platform with Intel Socket 1700, PCIe Gen 5 support, and DDR5 memory compatibility. It is an active production part.

Pick the Intel Core i5-6400 if you need multi-core throughput in Geekbench-style workloads. It scores 3134 in Geekbench multicore, which is 13.8% higher than the Celeron. The i5 also has a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache and a higher 65 W TDP, which may indicate more sustained multi-core headroom. However, this is an end-of-life part on the older Intel Socket 1151 platform with PCIe Gen 3 and DDR4-only memory support. The i5-6400’s launch MSRP was $182, but that is a historical figure, not a current price.

For general use, the G6900E’s single-core edge and platform modernity make it the more future-proof choice. For specific multi-threaded applications that resemble Geekbench multicore, the i5-6400 has a clear, measurable advantage. The average benchmark scores are nearly tied, so the decision comes down to workload and platform fit.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different eras and architectures. The Celeron G6900E is built on Alder Lake, which uses a 10 nm process node from Intel. The i5-6400 is Skylake, on a 14 nm node. The process difference is significant: the newer 10 nm node allows for higher efficiency and higher clock speeds at lower power. The G6900E has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and no boost clock listed, while the i5-6400 has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Core counts differ substantially. The G6900E has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the i5-6400 has 4 cores and 4 threads. This explains the Geekbench multicore result. The cache layouts are also different. The G6900E has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3. The i5-6400 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i5 has more total L3, but the G6900E has more L2 per core.

Memory support is another major divergence. The G6900E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i5-6400 supports only DDR4. Both have dual-channel memory buses, but the i5-6400 lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the G6900E does not list a figure. PCIe support also differs: the G6900E has PCIe Gen 5, while the i5-6400 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are different as well. The G6900E uses UHD Graphics 710, while the i5-6400 has HD Graphics 530. The G6900E has a TDP of 46 W, which is lower than the i5-6400’s 65 W. The i5-6400 has a die size of 177 mm², while the G6900E does not list one. The i5-6400 is part number SR2L7, while the G6900E has no part number listed. The release dates confirm the generation gap: the G6900E was released in January 2022, while the i5-6400 came out in July 2015.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Celeron G6900E is significantly faster. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1561 against the i5-6400’s 1048, a 49% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 512 versus 510, a 0.4% advantage.

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The i5-6400 wins Geekbench multicore with 3134 against 2702, a 13.8% lead. However, the Celeron G6900E wins all Cinebench multicore tests: R15 (366 vs 364), R20 (1525 vs 1517), and R23 (3632 vs 3614).

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Celeron G6900E has 2 cores and 2 threads. The Core i5-6400 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The G6900E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The i5-6400 supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The G6900E has a TDP of 46 W, while the i5-6400 has a TDP of 65 W. The G6900E is the lower-power part.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-6400 has a larger L3 cache at 6 MB shared, while the G6900E has 4 MB shared.

Where Each One Wins

The Celeron G6900E wins in every Cinebench test, both single-core and multicore. It also wins Geekbench single-core by a wide margin. This makes it the better choice for tasks that are sensitive to per-core performance, such as daily desktop responsiveness, light productivity, and applications that rely heavily on single-threaded execution. Its lower TDP of 46 W also makes it a more efficient option for compact or thermally constrained builds. The G6900E’s support for DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5 means it is compatible with newer, faster components.

The i5-6400 wins only Geekbench multicore, but that win is substantial at 13.8%. For workloads that scale well with four physical cores and do not benefit from the G6900E’s newer architecture, the i5-6400 will deliver more throughput. Its larger 6 MB L3 cache may also help in certain cache-sensitive applications. The i5-6400 is an end-of-life part, but it remains a viable option for legacy systems on Intel Socket 1151 with DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3.

The practical split is simple: if you are building new or upgrading to a modern platform, the G6900E is the stronger performer overall, with 7 wins out of 8 benchmarks. If you are stuck with an older 1151 platform or need the multi-core Geekbench performance, the i5-6400 has a distinct edge in that specific metric. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 1321 versus 1307, so neither chip is a runaway winner. Choose based on the platform you already have or the specific workloads you run.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every major specification. The G6900E has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the i5-6400 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for the G6900E and 2.70 GHz for the i5-6400; the i5 also has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the G6900E has none listed. TDP differs: 46 W versus 65 W. The G6900E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the i5-6400 uses Intel Socket 1151.

Architecture and process node are different: Alder Lake on 10 nm for the G6900E, Skylake on 14 nm for the i5-6400. The i5-6400 has a listed die size of 177 mm², while the G6900E has none. Cache layouts differ across all levels: L1 is 80 KB per core on the G6900E versus 64 KB per core on the i5; L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 256 KB per core; L3 is 4 MB shared versus 6 MB shared.

Memory support diverges: the G6900E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the i5-6400 supports only DDR4. The i5-6400 lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; the G6900E does not. PCIe is Gen 5 on the G6900E and Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) on the i5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 710 versus HD Graphics 530. Production status is Active for the G6900E and End-of-life for the i5-6400. Release dates are January 2022 and July 2015, respectively. The i5-6400 has a launch MSRP of $182 and part number SR2L7; the G6900E has neither listed.