Core i5-9600 vs FX-9590

Core i5-9600 vs FX-9590 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-9600

6 / 6

10,313

+1.2%

10,194

0.0%

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 i5-9600 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 i5-9600 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 i5-9600

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $126 less on MSRP ($224 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 58.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.0 vs 29.1 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 220W, a 155W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-9590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

FX-9590

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +25.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,194 vs 10,313).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.1 vs 46.0 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
❌238.5% higher power demand at 220W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9600 better than FX-9590?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-9590 is ahead with a 25.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-9600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-9600 comes in $126 cheaper on MSRP at $224 MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-9590 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 25.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 58.1% better value on MSRP (46.0 vs 29.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-9600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-9600 vs FX-9590 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9600 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the FX-9590 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-9590 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600 versus 5 GHz on the FX-9590 — a 8.3% clock advantage for the FX-9590 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The Core i5-9600 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-9590 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600 scores 10,313 against the FX-9590's 10,194 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-9600.

Feature	Core i5-9600	FX-9590
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	4.7 GHz+52%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	10,313+1%	10,194
Geekbench 6 Single	1,443	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9600 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 i5-9600	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 i5-9600) / not specified (FX-9590). The Core i5-9600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the FX-9590 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600 rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-9600	FX-9590
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-9600 was priced at $224, while the FX-9590 came in at $350. On launch pricing ($224 vs $350), Core i5-9600 was $126 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600 delivers 46.0 pts/$ vs 29.1 pts/$ for the FX-9590 — making the Core i5-9600 the 45% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-9600	FX-9590
MSRP	$224-36%	$350
Performance per Dollar	46.0+58%	29.1
Release Date	2019	2013

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