Intel Core i9-9900K vs Intel Core i5-6600K

VS
Performance
Core i9-9900K123% better
17,26447% of 36,991
Core i5-6600K
7,75421% of 36,991

The Core i9-9900K has 123% better performance than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i9-9900K10% better
35.3829% of 121.53
Core i5-6600K
32.0426% of 121.53

The Core i9-9900K has 10% better value for the money than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Shop Core i9-9900K
Shop Core i5-6600K
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Summary

#

About the Intel Core i9-9900K CPU

The Intel Core i9-9900K is an end-of-life 8-core (16-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2018 with a suggested retail price of $488. It is part of Intel's Core i9 lineup, which is based on the Coffee Lake Refresh microarchitecture. The i9-9900K is compatible with Intel Socket 1151 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i9-9900K supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i9-9900K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 16 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i9-9900K features 8 total cores which can process 16 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.6 GHz, and it can boost up to 5.0 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i9-9900K includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 630. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i9-9900K has the 104th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 46.67% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 17,264 score and $488 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 35.38. This is the 99th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i5-6600K CPU

The Intel Core i5-6600K is an end-of-life 4-core (4-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2015 with a suggested retail price of $242. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Skylake microarchitecture. The i5-6600K is compatible with Intel Socket 1151 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the HD Graphics 530 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-6600K supports DDR3, DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i5-6600K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 6 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-6600K features 4 total cores which can process 4 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.5 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.9 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i5-6600K includes an integrated graphics solution called HD Graphics 530. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i5-6600K has the 322nd best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 20.96% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 7,754 score and $242 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 32.04. This is the 113th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i9-9900KCore i5-6600K
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i9Core i5
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ4 2018Q3 2015
Launch Price (MSRP)$488$242
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i9-9900K123% better
17,26447% of 36,991
Core i5-6600K
7,75421% of 36,991

The Core i9-9900K has 123% better performance than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i9-9900K is ranked 104th with a score of 17,264, and the Core i5-6600K is ranked 322nd with a score of 7,754.

Performance per dollar
Core i9-9900K10% better
35.3829% of 121.53
Core i5-6600K
32.0426% of 121.53

The Core i9-9900K has 10% better value for the money than the Core i5-6600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i9-9900K is ranked 99th with a performance per dollar of 35.38, and the Core i5-6600K is ranked 113th with a performance per dollar of 32.04.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i9-9900K or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i9-11900KB17,803+3%
Core i7-11700K17,324+0%
Core i9-9900K17,264
Ryzen 9 390016,803-3%
Ryzen 5 5600G16,538-4%
Core i7-5700HQ8,081.5-53%
Core i5-85007,942-54%
Core i5-6600K7,754-55%
Ryzen 5 14007,363.5-57%
Core i5-11400T7,319-58%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i9-9900K or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Ryzen 9 3900X37.94+7%
Core i9-9900KS36.44+3%
Core i9-9900K35.38
Ryzen 9 390033.67-5%
Core i7-6700K33.12-6%
Core i9-11900KB33.03-7%
Core i7-670032.45-8%
Core i5-6600K32.04-9%
Core i7-4790K31.1-12%
Core i5-2500K30.42-14%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i9-9900KCore i5-6600K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
17,264
(+122.65%)
7,754
3DMark Time Spy CPU
10,593
--
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
1,979
(+229.01%)
601.5
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
212
(+27.71%)
166
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
8,028
(+98.52%)
4,044
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,700
(+18.63%)
1,433
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
18,297
(+189.51%)
6,320
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,931
(+26.01%)
2,326
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

#

Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i9-9900KCore i5-6600K
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size14 nm14 nm

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i9-9900KCore i5-6600K
SeriesCore i9Core i5
MicroarchitectureCoffee Lake RefreshSkylake
CodenameCoffee Lake-RSkylake
Memory SupportDDR4DDR3, DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i9-9900KCore i5-6600K
Cores84
Threads164
Clock Speed3.6 GHz3.5 GHz
Turbo Clock5.0 GHz3.9 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier36.0x35.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i9-9900KCore i5-6600K
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB256 KB
L3 Cache16 MB6 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i9-9900KCore i5-6600K
SocketIntel Socket 1151Intel Socket 1151
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)95 W91 W
Power Limit 1 (PL1)95 W--
Power Limit 2 (PL2)119 W--
Tcase Max72 °C64 °C
TJ Max100 °C--

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i9-9900KCore i5-6600K
Integrated GraphicsUHD Graphics 630HD Graphics 530
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, vPro, Boost 2.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, ABM, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, EPT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, MPX, SGX, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, SMEP, TBT 2.0

Check out these comparisons for similar CPUs:

Looking for alternatives? Check out these similar CPUs:

* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.