Core i5-8600K vs FX-9590

Core i5-8600K vs FX-9590 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-8600K

6 / 6

10,134

0.0%

10,194

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

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 i5-8600K vs FX-9590 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 i5-8600K vs FX-9590: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8600K

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $93 less on MSRP ($257 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.4 vs 29.1 PassMark/$ ($257 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 220W, a 125W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while FX-9590 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-9590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,134 vs 10,194).

FX-9590

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.1 vs 39.4 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $257 MSRP).
❌131.6% higher power demand at 220W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-9590 better than Core i5-8600K?

Yes. FX-9590 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 23.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-9590 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 23.2% 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, FX-9590 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-9590 is still the much better call for a fresh build. FX-9590 comes in 36.2% more expensive on MSRP at $350 MSRP versus $257 MSRP, and it still gives you a 23.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8600K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 35.4% better value on paper (39.4 vs 29.1 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8600K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8600K vs FX-9590 Technical Specifications

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

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.

FX-9590

The FX-9590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,194 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-8600K packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the FX-9590 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-9590 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600K versus 5 GHz on the FX-9590 — a 15.1% clock advantage for the FX-9590 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The Core i5-8600K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-9590 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8600K scores 10,134 against the FX-9590's 10,194 — a 0.6% lead for the FX-9590.

Feature	Core i5-8600K	FX-9590
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	5 GHz+16%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	4.7 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	10,134	10,194
Geekbench 6 Single	1,550	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-9590 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8600K	FX-9590
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8600K) / not specified (FX-9590). The Core i5-8600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the FX-9590 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8600K rivals Ryzen 5 2600X.

Feature	Core i5-8600K	FX-9590
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8600K was priced at $257, while the FX-9590 came in at $350. On launch pricing ($257 vs $350), Core i5-8600K was $93 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8600K delivers 39.4 pts/$ vs 29.1 pts/$ for the FX-9590 — making the Core i5-8600K the 30.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8600K	FX-9590
MSRP	$257-27%	$350
Performance per Dollar	39.4+35%	29.1
Release Date	2017	2013

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