Core i5-9600T vs Core i5-8500
Core i5-9600T
Core i5-8500
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 i5-9600T
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9600T | Core i5-8500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($118) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9600T | Core i5-8500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+46%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($118) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
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 i5-9600T and Core i5-8500
Core i5-9600T
The Core i5-9600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,601 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i5-8500
The Core i5-8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,521 points. Launch price was $202.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-9600T and Core i5-8500 share an identical 6-core/6-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-9600T versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500 — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8500 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-8500 is built on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-9600T scores 9,601 against the Core i5-8500's 9,521 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-9600T. L3 cache: 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-9600T vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500.
| Feature | Core i5-9600T | Core i5-8500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6 | 6 / 6 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.1 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3 GHz+30% |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB Intel® Smart Cache | 9 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 9,601 | 9,521 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,344 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i5-9600T | Core i5-8500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9600T) / not specified (Core i5-8500). The Core i5-9600T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-8500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9600T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600T rivals Ryzen 5 2400G.
| Feature | Core i5-9600T | Core i5-8500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-9600T launched at $213 MSRP, while the Core i5-8500 debuted at $192. At current prices ($118 vs $80), the Core i5-8500 is $38 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600T delivers 81.4 pts/$ vs 119.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-8500 — making the Core i5-8500 the 37.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-9600T | Core i5-8500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $213 | $192-10% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $118 | $80-32% |
| Performance per Dollar | 81.4 | 119.0+46% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2018 |
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