How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-8600K scores 31.1/100 overall; Intel Core i9-10900K scores 47.9/100. Intel Core i5-8600K wins 1 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-10900K wins 14.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-8600K and the Intel Core i9-10900K?

Intel Core i5-8600K advantages: 24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W; Lower launch price: $257 vs $488. Intel Core i9-10900K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 42 vs 35; Stronger multi-core score: 48 vs 30; 233% higher threads: 20 vs 6; 140% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,300 vs 6,800; 124% higher PassMark: 23,700 vs 10,600.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-8600K or Intel Core i9-10900K?

Intel Core i5-8600K launched cheaper at $257, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-10900K.

Intel Core i5-8600K vs Intel Core i9-10900K

Intel

Intel Core i5-8600K

$257

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-10900K

$488

34.5Single-core41.9

30Multi-core48.2

29.1Gamingspec-based54.6

1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-8600K14 spec wins — Intel Core i9-10900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-10900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.9 to 31.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+18) and single-core (+7). 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 Intel Core i5-8600K

24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W
Lower launch price: $257 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-10900K

Stronger single-core score: 42 vs 35
Stronger multi-core score: 48 vs 30
233% higher threads: 20 vs 6
140% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,300 vs 6,800
124% higher PassMark: 23,700 vs 10,600

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-8600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-8600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
Announced	2017	2020
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1200
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	95 W+24%	125 W
Max turbo power	—	250 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	No	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-8600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-8600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
Cores	6	10+67%
Performance cores	6	10+67%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	6	20+233%
Base clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Boost clock	4.3 GHz	5.3 GHz+23%
L2 cache	2 MB	3 MB+67%
L3 cache	9 MB	20 MB+122%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-8600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-8600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,150 MHz	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-8600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-8600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2933
Max memory	64 GB	128 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-8600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-8600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-8600K versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	Intel Core i5-8600K	Intel Core i9-10900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,480Bottom 26%	1,730+17%Bottom 42%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	5,400Bottom 26%	10,400+93%Top 50%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,210Bottom 25%	1,340+11%Bottom 38%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	6,800Bottom 22%	16,300+140%Top 40%
PassMark	10,600Bottom 16%	23,700+124%Bottom 43%

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Intel Core i5-8600Kvs AMD Ryzen 5 2600VS Intel Core i5-8600Kvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VS Intel Core i5-8600Kvs Intel Core i5-9600KVS Intel Core i5-8600Kvs Intel Core i5-10400FVS Intel Core i9-10900Kvs AMD Ryzen 5 5600VS Intel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i5-12400VS Intel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i5-12400FVS Intel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i7-11700KVS

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