PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-9300T vs Core i5-6600K FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-9300T vs Core i5-6600K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-9300T

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 91W, a 56W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-6600K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-6600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.5 vs 26.0 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $242 MSRP).

Core i5-6600K

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $67 less on MSRP ($242 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
✅Delivers 27.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.0 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($242 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,301 vs 6,323).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌160% higher power demand at 91W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-9300T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-9300T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9300T better than Core i5-6600K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-6600K is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9300T pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i3-9300T also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9300T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-9300T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-9300T comes in 27.7% more expensive on MSRP at $309 MSRP versus $242 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Core i5-6600K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 27.2% better value on paper (26.0 vs 20.5 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-9300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9300T vs Core i5-6600K Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-9300T

The Core i3-9300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,323 points. Launch price was $143.

Core i5-6600K

The Core i5-6600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,301 points. Launch price was $242.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-9300T and Core i5-6600K share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-9300T versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600K — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-9300T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6600K uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9300T scores 6,323 against the Core i5-6600K's 6,301 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-9300T. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i3-9300T vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600K.

Feature	Core i3-9300T	Core i5-6600K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.9 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	8 MB+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,323	6,301
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,265	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i3-9300T	Core i5-6600K
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-9300T) / not specified (Core i5-6600K). The Core i3-9300T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-6600K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-9300T targets Low Power Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-9300T	Core i5-6600K
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9300T was priced at $309, while the Core i5-6600K came in at $242. On launch pricing ($309 vs $242), Core i5-6600K was $67 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9300T delivers 20.5 pts/$ vs 26.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-6600K — making the Core i5-6600K the 24% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9300T	Core i5-6600K
MSRP	$309	$242-22%
Performance per Dollar	20.5	26.0+27%
Release Date	2019	2015

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