Performance comparison: which is faster?
Pentium Gold G6400 (Intel, 2020) and Celeron G5905 (Intel, 2021) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: Pentium Gold G6400 is about 5.3% faster
Both use the same LGA1200 socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | Pentium Gold G6400 | Celeron G5905 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 4,000 | 3,800 |
| Generation | Pentium | Celeron |
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1200 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2021 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce GTX 1050 | GeForce GTX 950 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | Pentium Gold G6400 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Either works (same LGA1200 socket) |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | Celeron G5905 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
Pentium Gold G6400 is about 5.3% higher by score (Pentium Gold G6400: 4000 points / Celeron G5905: 3800 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Pentium Gold G6400 is Pentium, while Celeron G5905 is Celeron.Both use the same LGA1200 socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce GTX 1050 pairs well with Pentium Gold G6400 and GeForce GTX 950 pairs well with Celeron G5905. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
