Core i5-6600K vs Core i3-9300T

Core i5-6600K

4 Cores4 Thrd91 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2015

Core i3-9300T

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-6600K

4 / 4

6,301

0.0%

6,323

+0.3%

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. The Core i5-6600K is positioned at rank #662 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

11971%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

11311%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

8213%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2474%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1960%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1714%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

982%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

969%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

882%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

882%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

872%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

849%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

837%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

834%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

826%

#390

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

MSRP: $1799|Avg: $1247

98%

#662

Core i5-6600K

MSRP: $242|Avg: $105

100%

#663

Core i5-4440

MSRP: $184|Avg: $101

100%

#664

Core i3-4370

MSRP: $149|Avg: $41

99%

#665

Core i5-7500T

MSRP: $202|Avg: $130

99%

#666

Core i5-7400T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $78

99%

#667

Core i5-4670

MSRP: $213|Avg: $65

99%

#668

Core i5-4570S

MSRP: $195|Avg: $40

99%

#669

Pentium G2010

MSRP: $64|Avg: $5

98%

#671

Core i5-6500TE

MSRP: $192|Avg: $60

98%

#673

Celeron G550T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $5

98%

#674

Core i5-4430

MSRP: $182|Avg: $60

98%

#675

Pentium G2130

MSRP: $75|Avg: $8

98%

#677

Core i5-4460S

MSRP: $182|Avg: $50

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9300T

#378

Core i9-12900TE

MSRP: $494|Avg: $664

168%

#379

Core i9-9940X

MSRP: $1387|Avg: $850

161%

#380

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

MSRP: $1899|Avg: $1836

160%

#381

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

159%

#382

Ryzen Embedded R2544

MSRP: $280|Avg: $280

148%

#383

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $4999

139%

#384

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

MSRP: $3990|Avg: $2850

137%

#385

Celeron G4900

MSRP: $42|Avg: $85

136%

#386

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

135%

#387

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

131%

#388

Ryzen Embedded R2312

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

129%

#389

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $5200

128%

#390

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

MSRP: $1799|Avg: $1247

125%

#391

Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX

MSRP: $1299|Avg: $1300

116%

#392

Celeron G4920

MSRP: $52|Avg: $115

109%

#393

Core i3-9300T

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#394

Ryzen 3 2200GE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

97%

#395

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

MSRP: $4491|Avg: $4491

69%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

38%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-9300T (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-6600K	Core i3-9300T
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($105)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-6600K (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-6600K	Core i3-9300T
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+193%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($105)	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-6600K Benchmark Check

Core i3-9300T Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6600K and Core i3-9300T

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.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

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

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

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-6600K	Core i3-9300T
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	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-6600K) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-9300T). 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 i5-6600K	Core i3-9300T
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

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-6600K launched at $242 MSRP, while the Core i3-9300T debuted at $309. At current prices ($105 vs $309), the Core i5-6600K is $204 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6600K delivers 60.0 pts/$ vs 20.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-9300T — making the Core i5-6600K the 98.3% better value option.