How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 21.1/100 overall; Intel Core i5-9600K scores 32/100. AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins 4 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-9600K wins 14.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 and the Intel Core i5-9600K?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 advantages: 50% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 16; 33% higher L2 cache: 2 MB vs 2 MB; 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $109 vs $262. Intel Core i5-9600K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 36 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 30 vs 22; 124% higher PassMark: 11,200 vs 5,000; 123% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 6,700 vs 3,000; 108% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 5,000 vs 2,400.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Intel Core i5-9600K?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 launched cheaper at $109, versus $262 for the Intel Core i5-9600K.

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i5-9600K

AMD

AMD Ryzen 3 1200

$109

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-9600K

$262

20Single-core36

22Multi-core29.8

20.6Gamingspec-based31

4 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 3 120014 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9600K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-9600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 32 to 21.1, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+16) and multi-core (+8). AMD Ryzen 3 1200 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 3 1200

50% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 16
33% higher L2 cache: 2 MB vs 2 MB
32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $109 vs $262

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9600K

Stronger single-core score: 36 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 30 vs 22
124% higher PassMark: 11,200 vs 5,000
123% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 6,700 vs 3,000
108% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 5,000 vs 2,400

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-9600K
Announced	2017	2018
Socket	AM4	LGA1151-v2
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Max turbo power	88 W	119 W+35%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-9600K
Cores	4	6+50%
Performance cores	4	6+50%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	6+50%
Base clock	3.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+19%
Boost clock	3.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+35%
L2 cache	2 MB+33%	2 MB
L3 cache	8 MB	9 MB+13%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-9600K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,150 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-9600K
Memory support	DDR4-2667	DDR4-2666
Max memory	64 GB	128 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-9600K
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	24+50%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i5-9600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-9600K
Geekbench 6 (single)	920Bottom 3%	1,580+72%Bottom 38%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	2,400Bottom 3%	5,000+108%Bottom 21%
Cinebench R23 (single)	830Bottom 2%	1,200+45%Bottom 24%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,000Bottom 2%	6,700+123%Bottom 21%
PassMark	5,000Bottom 3%	11,200+124%Bottom 17%

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