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 i5-8600 vs Core i5-8600K 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 i5-8600 vs Core i5-8600K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8600

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $44 less on MSRP ($213 MSRP vs $257 MSRP).
✅Delivers 18.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.8 vs 39.4 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $257 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-8600K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8600K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,973 vs 10,134).

Core i5-8600K

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.4 vs 46.8 PassMark/$ ($257 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8600K better than Core i5-8600?

Yes. Core i5-8600K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8600K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.8% 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 i5-8600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-8600K is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8600K comes in 20.7% more expensive on MSRP at $257 MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 18.7% better value on paper (46.8 vs 39.4 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8600 vs Core i5-8600K Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8600

The Core i5-8600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,973 points. Launch price was $213.

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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8600 and Core i5-8600K share an identical 6-core/6-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600K — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-8600 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8600K uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8600 scores 9,973 against the Core i5-8600K's 10,134 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i5-8600K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,430 vs 1,550, a 8.1% lead for the Core i5-8600K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 9 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-8600	Core i5-8600K
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	9,973	10,134+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,800	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,430	1,550+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,200	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z370,H370,B360,Q370,H310 (Core i5-8600) and Z370,Z390 (Core i5-8600K).

Feature	Core i5-8600	Core i5-8600K
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-8600) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8600K). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8600) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8600K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8600K rivals Ryzen 5 2600X.

Feature	Core i5-8600	Core i5-8600K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8600 was priced at $213, while the Core i5-8600K came in at $257. On launch pricing ($213 vs $257), Core i5-8600 was $44 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8600 delivers 46.8 pts/$ vs 39.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-8600K — making the Core i5-8600 the 17.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8600	Core i5-8600K
MSRP	$213-17%	$257
Performance per Dollar	46.8+19%	39.4
Release Date	2018	2017

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