AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i5-8600K
90.1Single-core34.5
83.6Multi-core30
84.6Gamingspec-based29.1
17 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-8600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 31.1, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+56) and multi-core (+54). 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 9 9900X
- Stronger single-core score: 90 vs 35
- Stronger multi-core score: 84 vs 30
- 700% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 2 MB
- 611% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 9 MB
- 424% higher PassMark: 55,500 vs 10,600
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-8600K
- 21% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 120 W
- Lower launch price: $257 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2017 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 4 nm+71% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 120 W | 95 W+21% |
| Max turbo power | 162 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 24+300% | 6 |
| Base clock | 4.4 GHz+22% | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+30% | 4.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+700% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+611% | 9 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+200% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,300+123%Top 7% | 1,480Bottom 26% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 19,800+267%Top 15% | 5,400Bottom 26% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230+84%Top 11% | 1,210Bottom 25% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 32,000+371%Top 14% | 6,800Bottom 22% |
| PassMark | 55,500+424%Top 13% | 10,600Bottom 16% |
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