Intel Core i5-9600K vs Intel Core i7-5960X
36Single-core20.5
29.8Multi-core34.1
31Gamingspec-based43.4
8 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9600K10 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Intel Core i5-9600K scores 32 against 32.3 for Intel Core i7-5960X. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i7-5960X edges ahead in multi-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9600K
- Stronger single-core score: 36 vs 21
- 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
- 53% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,580 vs 1,030
- 38% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,200 vs 870
- 36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm
- Lower launch price: $262 vs $999
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X
- Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 30
- 167% higher threads: 16 vs 6
- 150% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 16
- 122% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 9 MB
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
General
| Spec | Intel Core i5-9600K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2014 |
| Socket | LGA1151-v2 | LGA2011-v3 |
| Process | 14 nm+36% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 95 W+32% | 140 W |
| Max turbo power | 119 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-9600K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 6 | 16+167% |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz+23% | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.6 GHz+31% | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 2 MB | 2 MB+33% |
| L3 cache | 9 MB | 20 MB+122% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i5-9600K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| iGPU clock | 1,150 MHz | — |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i5-9600K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 4+100% |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i5-9600K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i5-9600K | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,580+53%Bottom 38% | 1,030Bottom 5% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,000Bottom 21% | 6,100+22%Bottom 28% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,200+38%Bottom 24% | 870Bottom 4% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 6,700Bottom 21% | 8,300+24%Bottom 27% |
| PassMark | 11,200Bottom 17% | 15,800+41%Bottom 28% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core i5-9600Kvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VSIntel Core i5-9600Kvs Intel Core i5-10400FVSIntel Core i5-9600Kvs Intel Core i5-10400VSIntel Core i5-9600Kvs AMD Ryzen 5 2600VSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400FVSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400VSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs AMD Ryzen 5 2600VS