Core i5-10600K vs Ryzen 5 4600H

Intel

Core i5-10600K

6 Cores12 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 4600H

6 Cores12 Thrd45 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core i5-10600K vs Ryzen 5 4600H Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i5-10600K vs Ryzen 5 4600H 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 i5-10600K vs Ryzen 5 4600H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10600K

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +28.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 4600H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $262 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 4600H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.

Ryzen 5 4600H

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (14,173 vs 14,247).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10600K better than Ryzen 5 4600H?
Yes. Core i5-10600K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 28.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10600K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 28.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-10600K is the better buy right now. Core i5-10600K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $262 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 28.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (54.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-10600K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10600K vs Ryzen 5 4600H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-10600K

The Core i5-10600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,247 points. Launch price was $262.

AMD

Ryzen 5 4600H

The Ryzen 5 4600H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Renoir-H (Zen 2) (2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,173 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10600K and Ryzen 5 4600H share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-10600K versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 4600H — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-10600K (base: 4.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-10600K uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 4600H uses Renoir-H (Zen 2) (2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10600K scores 14,247 against the Ryzen 5 4600H's 14,173 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-10600K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10600K vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 4600H.

FeatureCore i5-10600KRyzen 5 4600H
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+20%
4 GHz
Base Clock
4.1 GHz+37%
3 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Renoir-H (Zen 2) (2020)
PassMark
14,247
14,173
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10600K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 4600H uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-10600KRyzen 5 4600H
Socket
LGA1200
FP6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

The Core i5-10600K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 4600H requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i5-10600KRyzen 5 4600H
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 630