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Intel Core i5-9600K vs Intel Core i7-5960X

WINNER
Intel Core i5-9600K
32.7Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i7-5960X
31.9Inno Score
38.2Single-core20
29.9Multi-core33.4
31Gamingspec-based43.4
7 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9600K9 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X

InnoReviews verdict

This one is close to a dead heat: Intel Core i5-9600K scores 32.7 against 31.9 for Intel Core i7-5960X. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i5-9600K edges ahead in single-core, or by price.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9600K

  • Stronger single-core score: 38 vs 20
  • 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
  • 36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm
  • 32% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 140 W
  • 31% higher Boost clock: 4.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz
  • Lower launch price: $262 vs $999

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X

  • Stronger multi-core score: 33 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

General comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
SpecIntel Core i5-9600KIntel Core i7-5960X
Announced20182014
SocketLGA1151-v2LGA2011-v3
Process14 nm+36%22 nm
Base TDP95 W+32%140 W
Max turbo power119 W—
Unlocked multiplierYesYes
Cooler includedNoNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
SpecIntel Core i5-9600KIntel Core i7-5960X
Cores68+33%
Performance cores68+33%
Efficiency cores00
Threads616+167%
Base clock3.7 GHz+23%3 GHz
Boost clock4.6 GHz+31%3.5 GHz
L2 cache1.5 MB2 MB+33%
L3 cache9 MB20 MB+122%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
SpecIntel Core i5-9600KIntel Core i7-5960X
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 630—
iGPU clock1,150 MHz—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
SpecIntel Core i5-9600KIntel Core i7-5960X
Memory supportDDR4-2666DDR4-2133
Max memory128 GB+100%64 GB
Memory channels24+100%

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
SpecIntel Core i5-9600KIntel Core i7-5960X
PCIe version33
CPU PCIe lanes1640+150%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
SpecIntel Core i5-9600KIntel Core i7-5960X
Cinebench R23 (single)—870Bottom 4%
Cinebench R23 (multi)6,700Bottom 17%8,300+24%Bottom 22%
PassMark10,653Bottom 20%13,593+28%Bottom 26%
PassMark (single thread)2,720+30%Bottom 32%2,097Bottom 7%
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