Core i5-10500T vs Core i5-8600K
Core i5-10500T
Core i5-8600K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10500T
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-10500T | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-10500T | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+25%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10500T and Core i5-8600K
Core i5-10500T
The Core i5-10500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,140 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i5-8600K
The Core i5-8600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,134 points. Launch price was $257.
Processing Power
The Core i5-10500T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, matching the Core i5-8600K's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-10500T versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600K — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-8600K (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-8600K is built on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-10500T scores 10,140 against the Core i5-8600K's 10,134 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-10500T. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-10500T vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8600K.
| Feature | Core i5-10500T | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 6 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.3 GHz+13% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+57% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33% | 9 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 10,140 | 10,134 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,550 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-10500T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8600K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-10500T | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-10500T) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8600K). The Core i5-8600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-10500T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8600K rivals Ryzen 5 2600X.
| Feature | Core i5-10500T | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Gaming Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-10500T launched at $226 MSRP, while the Core i5-8600K debuted at $257. At current prices ($80 vs $100), the Core i5-10500T is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10500T delivers 126.8 pts/$ vs 101.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-8600K — making the Core i5-10500T the 22.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-10500T | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $226-12% | $257 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80-20% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 126.8+25% | 101.3 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2017 |
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