Intel Celeron G6900TE vs Intel Pentium Gold G6405T Comparison

The Intel Celeron G6900TE and Intel Pentium Gold G6405T are both low-power, dual-core desktop processors aimed at basic computing tasks, but they represent fundamentally different generations of Intel silicon. The data reveals a remarkably close contest, with the newer Celeron edging out the Pentium across every single benchmark, despite the Pentium’s higher base clock speed and additional threads. The benchmark results show a consistent, though narrow, victory for the Alder Lake-based Celeron, making this comparison less about raw performance and more about platform features and architectural efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data presents a clean sweep for the Intel Celeron G6900TE. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Celeron scores 270 against the Pentium’s 267, a 1.1% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with scores of 1128 and 1116 respectively, again a 1.1% delta in favor of the Celeron. The single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Celeron’s 159 score beats the Pentium’s 157 by 1.3%. The Cinebench R23 suite mirrors these findings: the Celeron achieves 2687 in multi-core versus 2658, and 379 in single-core versus 375, with both deltas holding at 1.1%.

These margins are incredibly tight, indicating that in purely computational terms, the two processors are nearly interchangeable. The data shows five wins for the Celeron and zero for the Pentium, but the largest margin is just 1.3%. The Pentium’s higher 3.50 GHz base clock compared to the Celeron’s 2.40 GHz appears to be almost entirely offset by the Celeron’s architectural efficiency. Similarly, the Pentium’s four threads versus the Celeron’s two do not translate into a multi-core advantage; the Celeron still manages to win those tests, suggesting that its per-core performance is significantly stronger. The average benchmark scores further emphasize the closeness, with the Celeron at 925 and the Pentium at 915, a negligible 1.1% difference. The percentile rankings also align, with the Celeron in the 25th percentile of all CPUs and the Pentium just below in the 24th, placing both firmly in the entry-level segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Celeron G6900TE wins all single-core benchmarks. It scores 159 in Cinebench R20 and 379 in Cinebench R23, compared to the Pentium Gold G6405T’s 157 and 375, respectively.

Q: Does the Pentium’s higher thread count give it a multi-core advantage?

A: No. Despite having 4 threads versus the Celeron’s 2, the Pentium loses the multi-core tests. The Celeron scores 270, 1128, and 2687 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, while the Pentium trails with 267, 1116, and 2658.

Q: How do these processors compare to other CPUs in the database?

A: The Celeron G6900TE has an average benchmark score of 925, placing it in the 25th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-4350T with an average score of 926, a 0.2% difference. The Pentium Gold G6405T has an average score of 915, sitting in the 24th percentile, with the Intel Xeon W3540 as its closest competitor at 913.

Q: What are the key architectural differences between the two chips?

A: The Celeron G6900TE is built on Intel’s 10 nm Alder Lake-S architecture, while the Pentium Gold G6405T uses the older 14 nm Comet Lake-R architecture. The Celeron features newer cache amounts of 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, whereas the Pentium has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share a 4 MB L3 cache.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Pentium Gold G6405T?

A: The launch MSRP for the Intel Pentium Gold G6405T is $64. The Celeron G6900TE has no listed launch MSRP in the data.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory and expansion standards?

A: No. The Celeron supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Pentium only supports DDR4. The Celeron also features PCIe Gen 5, whereas the Pentium has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Architecture Differences

The most significant architectural divide is the manufacturing process. The Celeron G6900TE is fabricated on a 10 nm node, while the Pentium Gold G6405T uses a 14 nm node. This generational leap is the primary reason the Celeron can match or exceed the Pentium’s performance despite a much lower base clock of 2.40 GHz versus 3.50 GHz. The Celeron’s Alder Lake-S architecture is newer and more efficient, allowing it to do more work per clock cycle.

The cache hierarchy also differs. The Celeron offers 80 KB of L1 cache and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, which is substantially more than the Pentium’s 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. This larger cache allocation likely helps the Celeron maintain its performance edge in the benchmarks. Both processors share a 4 MB L3 cache, but the per-core resources clearly favor the newer Celeron design. The Celeron also supports newer standards, including DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5, while the Pentium is limited to DDR4 and PCIe Gen 3. This makes the Celeron a more forward-looking platform, despite its lower-tier product naming. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the Celeron featuring UHD Graphics 710 and the Pentium featuring UHD Graphics 610, though specific performance numbers are not provided.

Specification Differences

A direct comparison of the specification fields shows several key differences. The core count is the same at 2, but the thread count differs: the Celeron has 2 threads, while the Pentium has 4. The base clock is a major difference, with the Pentium running at 3.50 GHz compared to the Celeron’s 2.40 GHz. The socket is different, with the Celeron using Intel Socket 1700 and the Pentium using Intel Socket 1200. The architecture and process node are also distinct: the Celeron is Alder Lake on 10 nm, while the Pentium is Comet Lake on 14 nm. The cache sizes for L1 and L2 differ per core, as mentioned, while the L3 cache is identical at 4 MB shared.

Memory support is another differentiator, with the Celeron supporting DDR4 and DDR5, while the Pentium only supports DDR4. The PCIe version is different, with the Celeron on Gen 5 and the Pentium on Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are different models, and the release dates are separate, with the Celeron launching on 2022-01-03 and the Pentium on 2021-03-15. The part numbers are SRL68 for the Celeron and SRH41 for the Pentium. Both have a TDP of 35 watts, support dual-channel memory, and do not support ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Pentium Gold G6405T has a launch MSRP of $64, while the Celeron G6900TE does not have a listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Celeron G6900TE is the marginally faster processor. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, including both single-core and multi-core workloads, with deltas ranging from 1.1% to 1.3%. Its higher average benchmark score of 925 versus 915 and its slightly higher percentile ranking of 25th versus 24th reinforce this conclusion. However, the difference is so small that it may be imperceptible in real-world use. The data suggests that for pure processing power, the Celeron is the better choice, despite its lower clock speed and fewer threads. The Celeron also offers superior platform features, including DDR5 memory support and PCIe Gen 5, which could be a more significant factor for future-proofing than the slight performance difference.

The Pentium Gold G6405T, on the other hand, is not without its merits. Its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and its 4 threads are theoretically advantageous, but the benchmark results show they do not translate into wins. The Pentium’s only distinct advantage in the data is its launch MSRP of $64, which is a concrete specification, but it is also the older platform with less modern I/O. For a user prioritizing the absolute latest features like DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, the Celeron is the clear winner. For a user who needs a specific socket type or is already on a Socket 1200 platform, the Pentium would be the compatible choice. The data ultimately points to the Celeron as the superior processor, but the margin is razor-thin.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is defined not by benchmark wins, but by platform characteristics. The Intel Celeron G6900TE wins in every performance metric provided, so it is the pick for any scenario where the absolute highest score in Cinebench R15, R20, or R23 is required, even if the lead is only around 1%. It is also the winner for users who want access to modern technology, as it supports DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5, which the Pentium does not. This makes the Celeron the more future-proof option for a new system build on Intel Socket 1700.

The Intel Pentium Gold G6405T’s wins are less about performance and more about specific compatibility. It is the only option of the two for users who require an Intel Socket 1200 processor. Its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz could be seen as a theoretical win for lightly threaded, clock-sensitive tasks, but the single-core benchmarks do not support this, as the Celeron wins those tests. The Pentium also has a stated launch MSRP of $64, which is a distinguishing data point, though this is not a performance metric. The Pentium’s role is essentially that of a drop-in upgrade or replacement for older Comet Lake systems, while the Celeron is better suited for a new, modern build. The data shows the Celeron as the performance winner across the board, making the Pentium’s case rest entirely on platform compatibility and its listed launch MSRP.