How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-11400F scores 37.2/100 overall; Intel Core i9-9900K scores 42.5/100. Intel Core i5-11400F wins 8 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-9900K wins 11.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-11400F and the Intel Core i9-9900K?

Intel Core i5-11400F advantages: 50% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 2 MB; 33% higher PCIe version: 4 vs 3; 32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W; 29% higher Max turbo power: 154 W vs 119 W; 25% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 20 vs 16; Lower launch price: $157 vs $488. Intel Core i9-9900K advantages: Stronger Multi-core score: 41 vs 37; Stronger gaming score: 47 vs 37; 40% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 8,800 vs 6,300; 38% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz; 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-11400F or Intel Core i9-9900K?

Intel Core i5-11400F launched cheaper at $157, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-9900K.

Intel Core i5-11400F vs Intel Core i9-9900K

Intel

Intel Core i5-11400F

$157

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-9900K

$488

38.6Single-core40.4

36.5Multi-core41.2

36.7Gaming47.4

8 spec wins — Intel Core i5-11400F11 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-9900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 42.5 to 37.2, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+11) and Multi-core (+5). Intel Core i5-11400F still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-11400F

50% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 2 MB
33% higher PCIe version: 4 vs 3
32% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
29% higher Max turbo power: 154 W vs 119 W
25% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 20 vs 16
Lower launch price: $157 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

Stronger Multi-core score: 41 vs 37
Stronger gaming score: 47 vs 37
40% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 8,800 vs 6,300
38% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz
33% higher cores: 8 vs 6

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-11400F versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-11400F	Intel Core i9-9900K
Announced	2021	2018
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151-v2
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Max turbo power	154 W+29%	119 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-11400F versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-11400F	Intel Core i9-9900K
Cores	6	8+33%
Performance cores	6	8+33%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12	16+33%
Base clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
Boost clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
L2 cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	16 MB+33%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-11400F versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-11400F	Intel Core i9-9900K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-11400F versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-11400F	Intel Core i9-9900K
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-11400F versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-11400F	Intel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version	4+33%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20+25%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-11400F versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-11400F	Intel Core i9-9900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,560Top 58%	1,720+10%Top 51%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,300Top 66%	8,800+40%Top 46%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,330+4%Top 54%	1,280Top 62%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	10,200Top 55%	12,400+22%Top 45%
PassMark	17,000Top 58%	18,600+9%Top 53%

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