How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-9600K scores 32/100 overall; Intel Core i7-9700K scores 37.6/100. Intel Core i5-9600K wins 1 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-9700K wins 11.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-9600K and the Intel Core i7-9700K?

Intel Core i5-9600K advantages: Lower launch price: $262 vs $374. Intel Core i7-9700K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 39 vs 36; Stronger multi-core score: 36 vs 30; 45% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 9,700 vs 6,700; 40% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 7,000 vs 5,000; 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-9600K or Intel Core i7-9700K?

Intel Core i5-9600K launched cheaper at $262, versus $374 for the Intel Core i7-9700K.

Intel Core i5-9600K vs Intel Core i7-9700K

Intel

Intel Core i5-9600K

$262

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-9700K

$374

36Single-core39

29.8Multi-core35.5

31Gamingspec-based39.8

1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9600K11 spec wins — Intel Core i7-9700K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-9700K wins this desktop processor face-off, 37.6 to 32, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+6) and single-core (+3). Intel Core i5-9600K 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 i5-9600K

Lower launch price: $262 vs $374

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-9700K

Stronger single-core score: 39 vs 36
Stronger multi-core score: 36 vs 30
45% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 9,700 vs 6,700
40% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 7,000 vs 5,000
33% higher cores: 8 vs 6

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9600K	Intel Core i7-9700K
Announced	2018	2018
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1151-v2
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	95 W	95 W
Max turbo power	119 W	119 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	No	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9600K	Intel Core i7-9700K
Cores	6	8+33%
Performance cores	6	8+33%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	6	8+33%
Base clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Boost clock	4.6 GHz	4.9 GHz+7%
L2 cache	2 MB	2 MB+33%
L3 cache	9 MB	12 MB+33%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9600K	Intel Core i7-9700K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,150 MHz	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9600K	Intel Core i7-9700K
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9600K	Intel Core i7-9700K
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-9600K versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9600K	Intel Core i7-9700K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,580Bottom 38%	1,680+6%Bottom 39%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	5,000Bottom 21%	7,000+40%Bottom 37%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,200Bottom 24%	1,250+4%Bottom 27%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	6,700Bottom 21%	9,700+45%Bottom 34%
PassMark	11,200Bottom 17%	14,300+28%Bottom 25%

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