Core i5-9600K vs Core i7-6800K
Core i5-9600K
Core i7-6800K
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 i5-9600K
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6800K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9600K | Core i7-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($178) | ✅ More affordable ($120) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-E (2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9600K | Core i7-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+49%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($178) | ✅ More affordable ($120) |
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 i5-9600K and Core i7-6800K
Core i5-9600K
The Core i5-9600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,645 points. Launch price was $262.
Core i7-6800K
The Core i7-6800K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,715 points. Launch price was $345.
Processing Power
The Core i5-9600K packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Core i7-6800K's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600K versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6800K — a 19% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-9600K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6800K uses Broadwell-E (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600K scores 10,645 against the Core i7-6800K's 10,715 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-6800K. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600K vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6800K.
| Feature | Core i5-9600K | Core i7-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+21% | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+9% | 3.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total) | 15 MB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Broadwell-E (2016) |
| PassMark | 10,645 | 10,715 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-9600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6800K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-9600K | Core i7-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i5-9600K) / not specified (Core i7-6800K). The Core i5-9600K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-6800K requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i5-9600K | Core i7-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-9600K launched at $263 MSRP, while the Core i7-6800K debuted at $434. At current prices ($178 vs $120), the Core i7-6800K is $58 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600K delivers 59.8 pts/$ vs 89.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-6800K — making the Core i7-6800K the 39.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-9600K | Core i7-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $263-39% | $434 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $178 | $120-33% |
| Performance per Dollar | 59.8 | 89.3+49% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2016 |
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