CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-760 and Intel Celeron G6900T represent two very different eras of desktop computing, separated by over a decade of architectural evolution. The data shows a clear and consistent performance victor in the older i5-760, but the Celeron G6900T brings modern platform features that the Lynnfield chip cannot match. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, architectural differences, and practical use cases for each processor based strictly on the provided data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are decisively one-sided. Across all five shared Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i5-760 wins every single matchup, with the Celeron G6900T failing to claim a single victory. The most telling comparison is in multi-core workloads, where the i5-760's four physical cores provide a substantial advantage over the Celeron's two.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-760 scores 4624 against the G6900T's 3117, a delta of 48.3%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-760 posts 1942 versus 1309 for the Celeron, again a 48.4% advantage. The older chip's 4-core/4-thread configuration simply outmuscles the 2-core/2-thread Celeron in heavily threaded rendering tasks.

Single-core results tell a slightly different story, but the i5-760 still comes out ahead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-760 scores 652 compared to the Celeron's 440, a 48.2% lead. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows the same 48.4% delta, with scores of 273 and 184 respectively. This is notable because the Celeron G6900T is built on a much newer 10 nm process with a newer architecture, yet it still trails the 45 nm Nehalem part in raw single-threaded Cinebench performance.

Interestingly, the average benchmark scores tell a different story than the head-to-head results. The i5-760 has an average benchmark score of 1337, while the Celeron G6900T sits at 1321. Both processors land in the 35th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite the i5-760's dominance in the specific Cinebench tests. The nearest rivals for the i5-760 include the Intel Core i5-4590T (avg score 1340, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core i5-4460S (1330, +0.5%), and the Intel Core i5-2500K (1329, +0.6%). The Celeron's closest rival is the Intel Celeron G6900E (1321, 0% delta), followed by the Intel Core i5-4570R (1318, +0.2%) and the Intel Core i7-3770T (1314, +0.6%). Both chips effectively perform within a few percentage points of their respective rivals, suggesting the head-to-head gap is more about core count than overall efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-760 is consistently faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4624 versus 3117 for the Celeron G6900T, a 48.3% difference. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, where the i5-760 leads by 48.4% in both.

Q: Does the newer Celeron G6900T have any performance advantage?

A: Based on the benchmark data, no. The Celeron G6900T loses every head-to-head benchmark, including single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-760 scores 652 against the Celeron's 440, a 48.2% lead. The Celeron's newer architecture does not translate into a performance win in these specific tests.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i5-760's average benchmark score of 1337 places it within 0.8% of the Intel Core i5-4670 (1347, delta -0.8%) and 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-4590T (1340, delta -0.2%). The Celeron G6900T's average score of 1321 is identical to the Intel Celeron G6900E (1321, 0% delta) and within 0.6% of the Intel Core i7-3770T (1314, delta 0.6%).

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Celeron G6900T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-760 has a TDP of 95 watts. This makes the Celeron significantly more power-efficient on paper, though the i5-760 compensates with substantially higher performance in every benchmark.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The Celeron G6900T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i5-760 only supports DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses. This gives the Celeron access to modern memory technology that the i5-760 cannot use.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Celeron G6900T includes Intel UHD Graphics 710, while the i5-760 has no integrated graphics listed in the data. This means the i5-760 requires a discrete graphics card, while the Celeron can operate without one in basic configurations.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is enormous. The i5-760 uses the Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfield codename, built on a 45 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die. The Celeron G6900T uses the Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-S codename, built on a 10 nm process, though its transistor count and die size are not listed in the data.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i5-760 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Celeron G6900T has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having half the cores, the Celeron's per-core L1 and L2 caches are substantially larger, reflecting its newer design.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The i5-760 supports DDR3 memory only, while the Celeron G6900T supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe support also differs, with the i5-760 offering Gen 2 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Celeron G6900T offers Gen 5. The Celeron includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 710, while the i5-760 has no integrated graphics.

The sockets are completely incompatible. The i5-760 uses Intel Socket 1156, while the Celeron G6900T uses Intel Socket 1700. Production status also differs, with the i5-760 marked as end-of-life and the Celeron G6900T listed as active. The i5-760 was released on 2010-07-17, while the Celeron G6900T launched on 2022-01-03. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-760 is the faster processor in every measured test. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks with deltas ranging from 48.2% to 48.4%. For anyone prioritizing raw Cinebench performance, the i5-760 is the clear choice. Its 4-core configuration delivers more than 48% higher multi-core scores than the Celeron G6900T, and it even wins single-core tests by the same margin.

However, the Celeron G6900T has strengths that the benchmarks do not capture. It has a TDP of 35 watts versus 95 watts for the i5-760, making it far more power-efficient. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, includes integrated graphics, and uses the modern Socket 1700 platform with PCIe Gen 5 support. The i5-760 is end-of-life, while the Celeron is an active product. The Celeron also has a launch MSRP of $42, though pricing should not be the sole factor in a decision.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1337 for the i5-760, 1321 for the Celeron), and both sit in the 35th percentile of all CPUs. This suggests that in the broader benchmark landscape, these processors are comparable overall, even though the head-to-head Cinebench results heavily favor the i5-760. The i5-760's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4590T and Intel Core i5-4670, while the Celeron G6900T's nearest rivals include the Intel Celeron G6900E and Intel Core i5-4570R.

For a builder with an existing Socket 1156 motherboard, the i5-760 offers superior performance. For someone building a new low-power system on Socket 1700, the Celeron G6900T provides modern features and efficiency, but with the understanding that Cinebench performance will be roughly 48% lower.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The i5-760 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Celeron G6900T has 2 cores and 2 threads. Both have a base clock of 2.80 GHz, but the i5-760 has a boost clock of 3.33 GHz while the Celeron G6900T has no boost clock listed.

TDP is a major difference: 95 watts for the i5-760 versus 35 watts for the Celeron G6900T. The sockets are entirely different, with the i5-760 using Intel Socket 1156 and the Celeron G6900T using Intel Socket 1700. The architectures are Nehalem (Lynnfield) versus Alder Lake (Alder Lake-S), with process nodes of 45 nm versus 10 nm.

Cache allocations differ significantly. The i5-760 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The Celeron G6900T has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 for the i5-760 versus DDR4 and DDR5 for the Celeron. PCIe support is Gen 2 with 16 lanes for the i5-760 versus Gen 5 for the Celeron.

The i5-760 has no integrated graphics, while the Celeron G6900T includes UHD Graphics 710. The i5-760 is end-of-life, while the Celeron is active. Release dates are 2010-07-17 for the i5-760 and 2022-01-03 for the Celeron G6900T. The Celeron has a launch MSRP of $42, while the i5-760 has no listed launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-760 wins in every performance category measured by the benchmarks. It is the superior choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its 48.4% lead in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests and its 48.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. It also wins single-threaded tests, leading by 48.4% in Cinebench R20 single-core and 48.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core. For any workload that relies on raw CPU computation, the i5-760 is the stronger performer.

The Celeron G6900T wins in platform and efficiency categories. Its 35-watt TDP makes it suitable for low-power builds where the i5-760's 95-watt TDP would be excessive. It supports modern DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which the i5-760 cannot use. Its integrated UHD Graphics 710 means it can function without a discrete GPU, while the i5-760 requires one. The Celeron also offers PCIe Gen 5 support and uses the current Socket 1700 platform, making it the better choice for a new build that prioritizes upgradeability and power efficiency over raw performance.

The data shows that the i5-760 is the performance king, but the Celeron G6900T is the modern platform choice. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are within 16 points of each other. The decision ultimately comes down to whether raw Cinebench performance or platform modernity matters more for the intended use case.