Core i5-9600 vs Core i7-5930K
Core i5-9600
Core i7-5930K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-9600
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5930K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9600 | Core i7-5930K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($219) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($410) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-E (2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9600 | Core i7-5930K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+86%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($219) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($410) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-9600 and Core i7-5930K
Core i5-9600
The Core i5-9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 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 4.6 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: 10,313 points. Launch price was $213.
Core i7-5930K
The Core i7-5930K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-E (2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,369 points. Launch price was $613.
Processing Power
The Core i5-9600 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Core i7-5930K's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-5930K — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-9600 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5930K uses Haswell-E (2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600 scores 10,313 against the Core i7-5930K's 10,369 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-5930K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,443 vs 1,000, a 36.3% lead for the Core i5-9600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600 vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-5930K.
| Feature | Core i5-9600 | Core i7-5930K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+24% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.5 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total) | 15 MB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Haswell-E (2014) |
| PassMark | 10,313 | 10,369 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,443+44% | 1,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 6,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-9600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5930K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Core i5-9600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-9600) vs 4 (Core i7-5930K). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-9600) vs 40 (Core i7-5930K) — the Core i7-5930K offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B360,H370,H310,Q370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-9600) and X99 (Core i7-5930K).
| Feature | Core i5-9600 | Core i7-5930K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-5930K). The Core i5-9600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-5930K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9600 targets Desktop, Core i7-5930K targets High End Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600 rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i7-5930K rivals Ryzen 5 1600.
| Feature | Core i5-9600 | Core i7-5930K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | None |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | High End Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-9600 launched at $224 MSRP, while the Core i7-5930K debuted at $583. At current prices ($219 vs $410), the Core i5-9600 is $191 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600 delivers 47.1 pts/$ vs 25.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-5930K — making the Core i5-9600 the 60.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-9600 | Core i7-5930K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $224-62% | $583 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $219-47% | $410 |
| Performance per Dollar | 47.1+86% | 25.3 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2014 |
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