AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs Intel Core i5-8600K
34.8Single-core34.5
36.4Multi-core30
59.1Gaming29.1
14 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 36002 spec wins — Intel Core i5-8600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41.6 to 31.1, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+30) and Multi-core (+6). Intel Core i5-8600K 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 5 3600
- Stronger Multi-core score: 36 vs 30
- Stronger gaming score: 59 vs 29
- 256% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 9 MB
- 100% higher threads: 12 vs 6
- 100% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 2 MB
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $257
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-8600K
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2017 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 7 nm+50% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+32% | 95 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 6 |
| Performance cores | 6 | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12+100% | 6 |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.3 GHz+2% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB+100% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+256% | 9 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4+33% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,450Top 70% | 1,480+2%Top 69% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,900+28%Top 58% | 5,400Top 71% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,250+3%Top 66% | 1,210Top 71% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 9,200+35%Top 61% | 6,800Top 73% |
| PassMark | 17,800+68%Top 56% | 10,600Top 77% |
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