i9-10900K vs i5-10600

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-10600
2020
6 cores / 12 threads, 65 Watt
8.61
Core i9-10900K
2020
10 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
14.32
+66.3%

Core i9-10900K outperforms Core i5-10600 by an impressive 66% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking873501
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data15.77
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency12.5410.84
Architecture codenameComet Lake (2020)Comet Lake (2020)
Release date30 April 2020 (4 years ago)30 April 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$488

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads1220
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed4.8 GHz5.2 GHz
Bus rate8 GT/s8 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Die sizeno data206 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1200FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP++
Turbo Boost Max 3.0-+

Security technologies

Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
Identity Protection++
SGXYes with Intel® MEYes with Intel® ME
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth41.6 GB/s45.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 630Intel UHD Graphics 630
Max video memory64 GB64 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHz1.2 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support++
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160@30Hz4096 x 2160@30Hz
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hz4096 x 2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hz4096 x 2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.54.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes1616

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i5-10600 8.61
i9-10900K 14.32
+66.3%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i5-10600 13676
i9-10900K 22752
+66.4%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-10600 1602
i9-10900K 1775
+10.8%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-10600 6112
i9-10900K 9071
+48.4%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.61 14.32
Physical cores 6 10
Threads 12 20
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 125 Watt

i5-10600 has 92.3% lower power consumption.

i9-10900K, on the other hand, has a 66.3% higher aggregate performance score, and 66.7% more physical cores and 66.7% more threads.

The Core i9-10900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-10600 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-10600 and Core i9-10900K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-10600
Core i5-10600
Intel Core i9-10900K
Core i9-10900K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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