Intel Core i5-9600K vs Intel Core i5-8500T

Intel Core i5-9600K

The Intel Core i5-9600K is a high end desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It offers an open multiplicator for easy overclocking and integrates 6 cores (no Hyperthreading therefore also 6 threads) clocked at 3.7 - 4.6 GHz and it needs a new Z390 based mainboard. It is manufactured in the second iteration of the improved 14nm process (14nm++).

Compared to the older Core i5-8600K, the 9600K offers about 10 to 15% higher performance. As the CPU still offers 6 cores and threads, the improvements are mostly due to the higher clock speeds. As a fast mid range desktop CPU, the i5-9600K is suited even for very demanding applications and perfect for 3D gaming.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card is clocked at up to 1.15 GHz and offers no advantage compared to previous generations. As it is a very low end GPU, only some low demanding games like Hearthstone can be played with it (see GPU page for benchmarks).

Intel specifies the TDP at 95 Watt, so if the CPU is used in laptops a big and chunky cooling system is needed to avoid throttling and lower clock speeds under sustained loads. When overclocking the CPU, the power consumption can easily rise up to 150 Watt and higher.

Intel Core i5-8500T

The Intel Core i5-8500T is a desktop processor of the Coffee Lake generation. It offers 6 cores clocked at 2.1 - 3.5 GHz and is manufactured in the again improved 14nm process (14nm++). As a "T" model, te i5-8500T is rated with a low 35 Watt TDP and therefore sometimes even used in laptops.

Thanks to the additional 2 cores, the Coffee Lake 6-core CPUs can offer a performance uplift of up to 50% in multithreaded workloads compared to the Kaby Lake predecessors.