Core i5-11600K vs Core i9-9900KS

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 i5-11600K vs Core i9-9900KS 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 i5-11600K vs Core i9-9900KS: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11600K

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $251 less on MSRP ($262 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 97.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 74.5 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 127W, a 2W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i9-9900KS

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,397 vs 19,520).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 74.5 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11600K better than Core i9-9900KS?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9900KS is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11600K pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i9-9900KS also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11600K is the better buy right now. Core i5-11600K comes in $251 cheaper on MSRP at $262 MSRP versus $513 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9900KS is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 97.0% better value on MSRP (74.5 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-11600K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11600K vs Core i9-9900KS Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11600K

The Core i5-11600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 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: 19,520 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-9900KS

The Core i9-9900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 127 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,397 points. Launch price was $513.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11600K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9900KS offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-9900KS has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-11600K versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KS (base: 3.9 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-11600K uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-9900KS uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11600K scores 19,520 against the Core i9-9900KS's 19,397 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-11600K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11600K vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Core i9-9900KS
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	19,520	19,397

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11600K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-9900KS uses LGA1151 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Core i9-9900KS
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11600K) / not specified (Core i9-9900KS). The Core i5-11600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core i9-9900KS requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11600K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Core i9-9900KS
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11600K was priced at $262, while the Core i9-9900KS came in at $513. On launch pricing ($262 vs $513), Core i5-11600K was $251 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11600K delivers 74.5 pts/$ vs 37.8 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900KS — making the Core i5-11600K the 65.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Core i9-9900KS
MSRP	$262-49%	$513
Performance per Dollar	74.5+97%	37.8
Release Date	2021	2019

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