Core i5-9600K vs Core i7-9750H

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 i5-9600K vs Core i7-9750H 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 i5-9600K vs Core i7-9750H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9600K

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-9750H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9750H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $263 MSRP, while Core i7-9750H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-9750H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,611 vs 10,645).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9600K better than Core i7-9750H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9750H is ahead with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600K pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i7-9750H also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-9600K is the better buy right now. Core i5-9600K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $263 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9750H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-9750H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-9600K vs Core i7-9750H Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-9750H

The Core i7-9750H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,611 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-9600K packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Core i7-9750H's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600K versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9750H — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-9600K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9750H uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600K scores 10,645 against the Core i7-9750H's 10,611 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-9600K. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9750H.

Feature	Core i5-9600K	Core i7-9750H
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+42%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	10,645	10,611

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9750H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-9600K	Core i7-9750H
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-9600K) / not specified (Core i7-9750H). The Core i5-9600K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-9750H requires a dedicated GPU.