Intel Core i5-10600K vs Intel Core i9-9960X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i5-10600K and Intel Core i9-9960X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Graphics image quality, Graphics API support, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core.

 

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i5-10600K

  • CPU is newer: launch date 1 year(s) 6 month(s) later
  • Around 9% higher clock speed: 4.80 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
  • Around 18% higher maximum core temperature: 100°C vs 85°C
  • Around 32% lower typical power consumption: 125 Watt vs 165 Watt
  • Around 12% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2923 vs 2617
Specifications (specs)
Launch date 30 Apr 2020 vs October 2018
Maximum frequency 4.80 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Maximum core temperature 100°C vs 85°C
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 125 Watt vs 165 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark 2923 vs 2617

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9960X

  • Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
  • 10 more cores, run more applications at once: 16 vs 6
  • 20 more threads: 32 vs 12
  • 2.7x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
  • 10.7x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
  • Around 83% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
  • 2.1x better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 30618 vs 14328
  • 2.4x better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 13076 vs 5401
Specifications (specs)
Unlocked Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores 16 vs 6
Number of threads 32 vs 12
L1 cache 64K (per core) vs 384 KB
L2 cache 1 MB (per core) vs 1536 KB
L3 cache 22 MB (shared) vs 12 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark 30618 vs 14328
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score 13076 vs 5401

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i5-10600K
CPU 2: Intel Core i9-9960X

PassMark - Single thread mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
2923
2617
PassMark - CPU mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
14328
30618
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score
CPU 1
CPU 2
5401
13076
Name Intel Core i5-10600K Intel Core i9-9960X
PassMark - Single thread mark 2923 2617
PassMark - CPU mark 14328 30618
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score 5401 13076
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 1158
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 14294

Compare specifications (specs)

Intel Core i5-10600K Intel Core i9-9960X

Essentials

Architecture codename Comet Lake Skylake
Launch date 30 Apr 2020 October 2018
Launch price (MSRP) $262 - $263
Place in performance rating 875 619
Processor Number i5-10600K i9-9960X
Series 10th Generation Intel Core i5 Processors Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Status Launched Launched
Vertical segment Desktop Desktop

Performance

64 bit support
Base frequency 4.10 GHz 3.10 GHz
Bus Speed 8 GT/s 8 GT/s DMI3
L1 cache 384 KB 64K (per core)
L2 cache 1536 KB 1 MB (per core)
L3 cache 12 MB 22 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology 14 nm 14 nm
Maximum core temperature 100°C 85°C
Maximum frequency 4.80 GHz 4.40 GHz
Number of cores 6 16
Number of threads 12 32
Number of QPI Links 0
Unlocked

Memory

Max memory channels 2 4
Maximum memory bandwidth 41.6 GB/s
Maximum memory size 128 GB 128 GB
Supported memory types DDR4-2666 DDR4-2666

Graphics

Device ID 0x9BC5
Graphics base frequency 350 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency 1.20 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Clear Video technology
Intel® InTru™ 3D technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Max video memory 64 GB
Processor graphics Intel UHD Graphics 630

Graphics interfaces

Number of displays supported 3

Graphics image quality

4K resolution support
Max resolution over DisplayPort 4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over eDP 4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4 4096x2160@30Hz

Graphics API support

DirectX 12
OpenGL 4.5

Compatibility

Configurable TDP-down 95 Watt
Configurable TDP-down Frequency 3.80 GHz
Max number of CPUs in a configuration 1 1
Package Size 37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported FCLGA1200 FCLGA2066
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 125 Watt 165 Watt
Thermal Solution PCG 2015D PCG 2017X

Peripherals

Max number of PCIe lanes 16 44
PCI Express revision 3.0 3.0
PCIe configurations Up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4
Scalability 1S Only 1S Only

Security & Reliability

Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Secure Boot

Advanced Technologies

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2 Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)
Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Thermal Monitoring
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units 2

Virtualization

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)