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Intel Core i5-9600K vs Intel Core i9-9900KS vs Intel Core i5-9400F

Intel Core i5-9600K

► remove from comparison

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 i9-9900KS

► remove from comparison Intel i9-9900KS

The Intel Core i9-9900KS is a high end desktop processor that includes 8 cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It is the fastest Coffee Lake CPU in 2019 and compared to the similar named i9-9900K, the KS offers an all core Turbo of 5 GHz. All cores can clock between 4 GHz and 5 GHz and thanks to Hyperthreading / SMT 16 threads can be executed in parallel. The CPU is still manufactured in the mature 14 nm process (14nm++). Thanks to the open multiplicator, the CPU is rather easy to overclock (if a Z390 based mainboard is used).

With good cooling, the i9-9900KS can be around 10% faster than the older Intel Core i9-9900K (thanks to the 5 GHz all core Turbo). Compare to the old Core i7-8700K, the 9900KS is even 45% faster. Especially for gaming, the 9900KS is currently the fastest option available. The fast Ryzen and Threadripper CPUs from AMD however offer a better multithreaded performance.

The integrated GPU is called Intel UHD Graphics 630 and clocks with up to 1.2 GHz. It is not suited for demanding 3D games and located in the low end.

The TDP is raised to 127 Watt for the additional performance, therefore a good CPU cooler is needed. When overclocking the CPU, more than 200 Watt can be reached unter load.

Intel Core i5-9400F

► remove from comparison Intel i5-9400F

The Intel Core i5-9400F is a six-core desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture introduced in October 2018 along with the flagship Intel Core i9-9900K. The processor clocks at 2.9-4.1 GHz and can process up to 6 threads simultaneously. The Intel Core i5-9400F is manufactured in the improved 14-nm process (14nm++).

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i5-8400, the performance could only be increased slightly. Performance increases of up to 10 percent can be expected. Both processors (old and new) still do not offer hyperthreading. The performance increase therefore only adds up to small architecture improvements and a slightly higher basic and turbo clock rate. This CPU is suitable for everyday office use, which does not require large coolers due to the low waste heat. But games are also among the application areas, because in games the Intel Core i5-9400F clearly beats the Intel Core i3-9100F. Here the six cores are paying off in the meantime. 

Graphics unit

The Intel Core i5-9400F is a processor without integrated graphics unit. If you value an iGPU, you should take a closer look at the Intel Core i5-9400, as it offers the entry level Intel UHD Graphics 630.

Power consumption

Intel puts the Thermal Design Power (TDP) at 65 watts. This means there is no need for large cooling systems, which also allows installation in very compact housings.

ModelIntel Core i5-9600KIntel Core i9-9900KSIntel Core i5-9400F
SeriesIntel Coffee LakeIntel Coffee LakeIntel Coffee Lake
CodenameCoffee Lake-RCoffee Lake-RCoffee Lake-R
Series: Coffee Lake Coffee Lake-R
Intel Core i9-9900KS4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900K3.6 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9700K3.6 - 4.9 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-97003 - 4.7 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9600K « 3.7 - 4.6 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900T2.1 - 4.4 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400F2.9 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i3-9100F3.6 - 4.2 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900KS « 4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900K3.6 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9700K3.6 - 4.9 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-97003 - 4.7 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9600K3.7 - 4.6 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900T2.1 - 4.4 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400F2.9 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i3-9100F3.6 - 4.2 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900KS4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900K3.6 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9700K3.6 - 4.9 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-97003 - 4.7 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9600K3.7 - 4.6 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900T2.1 - 4.4 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400F « 2.9 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i3-9100F3.6 - 4.2 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Clock3700 - 4600 MHz4000 - 5000 MHz2900 - 4100 MHz
L1 Cache512 KB512 KB384 KB
L2 Cache1.5 MB2 MB1.5 MB
L3 Cache9 MB16 MB9 MB
Cores / Threads6 / 68 / 166 / 6
TDP95 Watt127 Watt65 Watt
14++ nm14 nm14 nm, 100
Die Size178 mm2178 mm2149 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
SocketFCLGA1151FCLGA1151LGA 1151-2
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX-NI, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vProDual-Channel DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX-NI, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vProDual-Channel DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1150 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1200 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$262 U.S.$513 U.S.$182 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comwww.intel.de

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i9-9900KS
38.4 pt (53%)
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i5-9400F
30.9 pt (43%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
min: 509     avg: 512     median: 511.5 (57%)     max: 514 Points
416 Points (46%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
min: 4463     avg: 4820     median: 4819.5 (12%)     max: 5176 Points
2378 Points (6%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
1094 Points (7%)
min: 1962     avg: 2058     median: 2058 (13%)     max: 2154 Points
984 Points (6%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
193 Points (58%)
min: 215     avg: 216     median: 216 (65%)     max: 217 Points
173 Points (52%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
11 Points (14%)
min: 22.31     avg: 23.2     median: 23.1 (30%)     max: 23.98 Points
11.3 Points (15%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
2.2 Points (56%)
min: 2.43     avg: 2.4     median: 2.4 (61%)     max: 2.46 Points
2 Points (49%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
7205 Points (44%)
min: 8143     avg: 8183     median: 8183 (49%)     max: 8223 Points
6490 Points (39%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
33950 Points (25%)
min: 50462     avg: 51779     median: 51778.5 (38%)     max: 53095 Points
31523 Points (23%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
39494 Points (27%)
69169 Points (48%)
40065 Points (28%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
9318 Points (11%)
10759 Points (13%)
8182 Points (10%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
176.2 s (2%)
min: 82     avg: 87.9     median: 87.9 (1%)     max: 93.8 s
198.7 s (2%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
6 s (1%)
min: 3.232     avg: 3.6     median: 3.6 (1%)     max: 3.969 s
6.8 s (1%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
5903 Points (9%)
min: 8156     avg: 8353     median: 8353 (13%)     max: 8550 Points
5794 Points (9%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
min: 55064     avg: 55735     median: 55735 (32%)     max: 56406 MIPS
25639 MIPS (15%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
min: 5674     avg: 5734     median: 5734 (69%)     max: 5794 MIPS
4678 MIPS (56%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
68.8 fps (24%)
min: 116     avg: 122.5     median: 122.5 (43%)     max: 129 fps
64 fps (22%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
250 fps (58%)
min: 276.2     avg: 278.9     median: 278.9 (64%)     max: 281.5 fps
234 fps (54%)
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
8 fps (14%)
min: 15.31     avg: 16.3     median: 16.3 (29%)     max: 17.2 fps
9.1 fps (16%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
0.4 GB/s (0%)
1.2 GB/s (0%)
0.5 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
0.6 GB/s (11%)
2.1 GB/s (36%)
0.9 GB/s (15%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
5.6 GB/s (15%)
min: 12.1     avg: 12.2     median: 12.2 (32%)     max: 12.2 GB/s
5.2 GB/s (14%)
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
444.4 Seconds (3%)
min: 205.1     avg: 224.6     median: 224.6 (2%)     max: 244 Seconds
468.5 Seconds (3%)
R Benchmark 2.5 - R Benchmark 2.5 *
0.7 sec (14%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
10974 Points (23%)
min: 14825     avg: 14884     median: 14883.5 (32%)     max: 14942 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
7.7 s (2%)
min: 7.405     avg: 7.4     median: 7.4 (2%)     max: 7.436 s
9.3 s (2%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
17.4 s (1%)
min: 16.45     avg: 16.5     median: 16.5 (1%)     max: 16.59 s
20.8 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
421.1 s (2%)
min: 412.2     avg: 414.2     median: 414.2 (2%)     max: 416.1 s
499.8 s (2%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
37593 Points (33%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
11938 Points (32%)
min: 18531     avg: 18914     median: 18694 (51%)     max: 19517 Points
11185 Points (30%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
78929 Points (64%)
min: 75473     avg: 75482     median: 75482 (61%)     max: 75491 Points
70546 Points (57%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
78531 Points (64%)
min: 75946     avg: 76061     median: 76060.5 (62%)     max: 76175 Points
70482 Points (57%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
80235 Points (68%)
min: 74085     avg: 75802     median: 75508 (64%)     max: 77813 Points
72413 Points (61%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
9031 Points (23%)
min: 19068     avg: 19770     median: 20049 (51%)     max: 20193 Points
8275 Points (21%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
13701 Points (24%)
min: 24327     avg: 25511     median: 26016 (46%)     max: 26191 Points
12616 Points (22%)
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
6071 Points (26%)
min: 11017     avg: 11358     median: 11375 (48%)     max: 11683 Points
5777 Points (24%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Single-Core
1217 Points (51%)
1372 Points (58%)
1139 Points (48%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
5855 Points (10%)
9100 Points (16%)
5715 Points (10%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
1132 Points (5%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
5698 Points (18%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
5916 Points (59%)
6308 Points (63%)
5347 Points (53%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
23810 Points (27%)
35586 Points (40%)
21830 Points (24%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
6313 Points (86%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
35932 Points (88%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
883 ms (1%)
867 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
44538 Points (40%)
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
211 Points (44%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
145.9 Watt (25%)
259.6 Watt (45%)
131.6 Watt (23%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
134 Watt (24%)
min: 219.3     avg: 269.1     median: 292.7 (53%)     max: 295.4 Watt
122.5 Watt (22%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
8.2 Points per Watt (6%)
min: 7.29     avg: 8.1     median: 8.1 (6%)     max: 8.95 Points per Watt
8 Points per Watt (6%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-9600K → 100% n=32

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i9-9900KS → 150% n=32

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-9400F → 97% n=32

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.26
log 04. 14:18:00

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#2 checking url part for id 12197 +0s ... 0s

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Sat, 04 May 2024 05:40:37 +0200 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.03s ... 0.031s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.031s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 11231 +0.003s ... 0.034s

#8 got single benchmarks 11231 +0.009s ... 0.044s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 11553 +0.019s ... 0.062s

#10 got single benchmarks 11553 +0.012s ... 0.075s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 12197 +0.017s ... 0.092s

#12 got single benchmarks 12197 +0.008s ... 0.1s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.1s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.522s ... 0.622s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.622s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)