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

Intel Core i5-9600K

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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 i9-9900K

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i9-9900K is a high end desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. At the time of announcement in late 2018, the 9900K is the fastest Coffee Lake CPU and offers an open multiplicator for easy overclocking. The CPU integrates 8 cores (16 threads) clocked at 3.6 - 5 GHz and it needs a new Z390 based mainboard.

Thanks to the two additional cores, the performance in multi-threaded applications is up to 25 % faster than the older Core i7-8700K. The single thread performance is only slightly faster due to the higher clock speeds. As a high end desktop CPU, the i9-9900K 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 1.2 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 200 Watt and higher.

ModelIntel Core i5-9600KIntel Core i9-9900KSIntel Core i9-9900K
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 i9-9900K « 3.6 - 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
Clock3700 - 4600 MHz4000 - 5000 MHz3600 - 5000 MHz
L1 Cache512 KB512 KB512 KB
L2 Cache1.5 MB2 MB2 MB
L3 Cache9 MB16 MB16 MB
Cores / Threads6 / 68 / 168 / 16
TDP95 Watt127 Watt95 Watt
Technology14++ nm14 nm14++ nm
Die Size178 mm2178 mm2178 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketFCLGA1151FCLGA1151FCLGA1151
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, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX-NI, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vPro
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1150 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1200 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1200 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$262 U.S.$513 U.S.$488 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comwww.intel.dewww.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 - i9-9900K
37.2 pt (52%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Multi Core
12397 Points (12%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Single Core
1280 Points (54%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
min: 509     avg: 512     median: 511.5 (57%)     max: 514 Points
min: 495     avg: 502     median: 502 (56%)     max: 509 Points
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
min: 4463     avg: 4820     median: 4819.5 (12%)     max: 5176 Points
min: 4816     avg: 4871     median: 4871 (12%)     max: 4926 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
1094 Points (7%)
min: 1962     avg: 2058     median: 2058 (13%)     max: 2154 Points
min: 1623     avg: 1939     median: 1979 (12%)     max: 2040 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
193 Points (58%)
min: 215     avg: 216     median: 216 (65%)     max: 217 Points
min: 203     avg: 210.6     median: 212 (64%)     max: 218 Points
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
min: 17.37     avg: 20.7     median: 21.4 (28%)     max: 21.76 Points
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
min: 2.33     avg: 2.4     median: 2.4 (59%)     max: 2.44 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
7205 Points (44%)
min: 8143     avg: 8183     median: 8183 (49%)     max: 8223 Points
min: 7786     avg: 7924     median: 7933 (48%)     max: 8042 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
33950 Points (25%)
min: 50462     avg: 51779     median: 51778.5 (38%)     max: 53095 Points
min: 36683     avg: 45846     median: 48778.5 (35%)     max: 49142 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
39494 Points (27%)
69169 Points (48%)
min: 63009     avg: 63708     median: 63976 (44%)     max: 64138 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
9318 Points (11%)
10759 Points (13%)
min: 10167     avg: 10218     median: 10192 (12%)     max: 10294 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
176.2 s (2%)
min: 82     avg: 87.9     median: 87.9 (1%)     max: 93.8 s
min: 85.6     avg: 91.9     median: 91.3 (1%)     max: 98.7 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
6 s (1%)
min: 3.232     avg: 3.6     median: 3.6 (1%)     max: 3.969 s
min: 3.276     avg: 4     median: 3.6 (1%)     max: 5.203 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
5903 Points (9%)
min: 8156     avg: 8353     median: 8353 (13%)     max: 8550 Points
min: 7315     avg: 7775     median: 7633 (12%)     max: 8518 Points
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
min: 55064     avg: 55735     median: 55735 (32%)     max: 56406 MIPS
min: 43248     avg: 48207     median: 48207 (28%)     max: 53166 MIPS
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
min: 5674     avg: 5734     median: 5734 (69%)     max: 5794 MIPS
min: 5311     avg: 5411     median: 5410.5 (65%)     max: 5510 MIPS
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
68.8 fps (24%)
min: 116     avg: 122.5     median: 122.5 (43%)     max: 129 fps
min: 90.9     avg: 110     median: 114.3 (40%)     max: 120.5 fps
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
min: 252.7     avg: 260.9     median: 260.5 (60%)     max: 270 fps
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
min: 12.36     avg: 14.8     median: 15.8 (28%)     max: 16.3 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
0.4 GB/s (0%)
1.2 GB/s (0%)
min: 0.8     avg: 1.1     median: 1.2 (0%)     max: 1.2 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
0.6 GB/s (11%)
2.1 GB/s (36%)
min: 1.3     avg: 1.8     median: 1.9 (33%)     max: 2 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
5.6 GB/s (15%)
min: 12.1     avg: 12.2     median: 12.2 (32%)     max: 12.2 GB/s
min: 7.8     avg: 10.4     median: 11.1 (29%)     max: 11.5 GB/s
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
444.4 Seconds (3%)
min: 205.1     avg: 224.6     median: 224.6 (2%)     max: 244 Seconds
min: 219.2     avg: 239.7     median: 223.8 (2%)     max: 276.1 Seconds
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
10974 Points (23%)
min: 14825     avg: 14884     median: 14883.5 (32%)     max: 14942 Points
min: 10312     avg: 13253     median: 14281.5 (30%)     max: 14409 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
min: 7.545     avg: 7.7     median: 7.7 (2%)     max: 7.823 s
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
min: 16.73     avg: 17     median: 16.9 (1%)     max: 17.25 s
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
min: 413.8     avg: 429.5     median: 432.2 (2%)     max: 440 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
37593 Points (33%)
min: 58733     avg: 65154     median: 65153.5 (57%)     max: 71574 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
11938 Points (32%)
min: 18531     avg: 18914     median: 18694 (51%)     max: 19517 Points
min: 16598     avg: 17566     median: 17264 (47%)     max: 19169 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
78929 Points (64%)
min: 75473     avg: 75482     median: 75482 (61%)     max: 75491 Points
min: 64697     avg: 67569     median: 67554.5 (55%)     max: 72059 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
78531 Points (64%)
min: 75946     avg: 76061     median: 76060.5 (62%)     max: 76175 Points
min: 67420     avg: 68874     median: 67813 (55%)     max: 72450 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
80235 Points (68%)
min: 74085     avg: 75802     median: 75508 (64%)     max: 77813 Points
min: 67259     avg: 68959     median: 68173.5 (57%)     max: 72229 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
9031 Points (23%)
min: 19068     avg: 19770     median: 20049 (51%)     max: 20193 Points
min: 16435     avg: 17955     median: 17969 (45%)     max: 18694 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
13701 Points (24%)
min: 24327     avg: 25511     median: 26016 (46%)     max: 26191 Points
min: 21585     avg: 24141     median: 24497.5 (44%)     max: 25010 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
6071 Points (26%)
min: 11017     avg: 11358     median: 11375 (48%)     max: 11683 Points
min: 9413     avg: 10630     median: 10593 (45%)     max: 11298 Points
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Single-Core
1217 Points (51%)
1372 Points (58%)
1300 Points (55%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
5855 Points (10%)
9100 Points (16%)
8845 Points (16%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
5916 Points (59%)
6308 Points (63%)
min: 6014     avg: 6113     median: 6049 (60%)     max: 6339 Points
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
23810 Points (27%)
35586 Points (40%)
min: 26616     avg: 31703     median: 32981 (37%)     max: 34233 Points
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%)
min: 919     avg: 937     median: 924 (1%)     max: 968 ms
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
71 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
44538 Points (40%)
min: 38473     avg: 40081     median: 40081 (36%)     max: 41689 Points
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
145.9 Watt (25%)
259.6 Watt (45%)
202 Watt (35%)
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
203.2 Watt (37%)
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
10 Points per Watt (7%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-9600K → 100% n=33

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i9-9900KS → 150% n=33

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i9-9900K → 141% n=33

- 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. 11:43:38

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#1 checking url part for id 11553 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 10442 +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 +0.022s ... 0.023s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.023s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 11231 +0.003s ... 0.025s

#8 got single benchmarks 11231 +0.008s ... 0.034s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 11553 +0.018s ... 0.052s

#10 got single benchmarks 11553 +0.012s ... 0.064s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 10442 +0.019s ... 0.083s

#12 got single benchmarks 10442 +0.043s ... 0.126s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.126s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.553s ... 0.68s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.68s

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