Core i5-8500 vs Core i5-9600T

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 i5-8500 vs Core i5-9600T 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 i5-8500 vs Core i5-9600T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $21 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
✅Delivers 10.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 49.6 vs 45.1 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,521 vs 9,601).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9600T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-9600T

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-8500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 45.1 vs 49.6 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9600T better than Core i5-8500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-8500 is ahead with a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600T pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-9600T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-9600T comes in 10.9% more expensive on MSRP at $213 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-8500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 10.0% better value on paper (49.6 vs 45.1 PassMark/$), 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 i5-9600T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8500 vs Core i5-9600T Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500

The Core i5-8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,521 points. Launch price was $202.

Core i5-9600T

The Core i5-9600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,601 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8500 and Core i5-9600T share an identical 6-core/6-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-9600T — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8500 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-8500 is built on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-8500 scores 9,521 against the Core i5-9600T's 9,601 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-9600T. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500 vs 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-9600T.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Core i5-9600T
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+5%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+30%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	9 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	—
PassMark	9,521	9,601
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,344

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Core i5-9600T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
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

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-8500) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9600T). The Core i5-9600T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-8500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9600T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600T rivals Ryzen 5 2400G.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Core i5-9600T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	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 i5-8500 was priced at $192, while the Core i5-9600T came in at $213. On launch pricing ($192 vs $213), Core i5-8500 was $21 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500 delivers 49.6 pts/$ vs 45.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-9600T — making the Core i5-8500 the 9.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Core i5-9600T
MSRP	$192-10%	$213
Performance per Dollar	49.6+10%	45.1
Release Date	2018	2019

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