Core i9-9900KF vs Core i5-11600
Core i9-9900KF
Core i5-11600
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 i9-9900KF
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-11600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9900KF | Core i5-11600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($350) | ✅ More affordable ($140) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Rocket Lake (2021) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9900KF | Core i5-11600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+148%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($350) | ✅ More affordable ($140) |
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 i9-9900KF and Core i5-11600
Core i9-9900KF
The Core i9-9900KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 18,029 points. Launch price was $488.
Core i5-11600
The Core i5-11600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,912 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i9-9900KF packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-11600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9900KF has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KF versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-11600 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KF (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i9-9900KF uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-11600 uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KF scores 18,029 against the Core i5-11600's 17,912 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-9900KF. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,812 vs 10,500 (19.8% advantage for the Core i9-9900KF). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,720 vs 2,130, a 21.3% lead for the Core i5-11600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,150 vs 8,000 (1.9% advantage for the Core i9-9900KF). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KF vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11600.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KF | Core i5-11600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+4% | 4.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+29% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total)+33% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Rocket Lake (2021) |
| PassMark | 18,029 | 17,912 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 12,812+22% | 10,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,720 | 2,130+24% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,150+2% | 8,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-9900KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-11600 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i9-9900KF) vs 20 (Core i5-11600) — the Core i5-11600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z390,Z370,H370,B365,B360 (Core i9-9900KF) and H470,Z490,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-11600).
| Feature | Core i9-9900KF | Core i5-11600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-9900KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11600 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-11600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core i9-9900KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-9900KF targets Gaming, Core i5-11600 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KF | Core i5-11600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 750 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Gaming | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-9900KF launched at $488 MSRP, while the Core i5-11600 debuted at $213. At current prices ($350 vs $140), the Core i5-11600 is $210 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KF delivers 51.5 pts/$ vs 127.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-11600 — making the Core i5-11600 the 85.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KF | Core i5-11600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $488 | $213-56% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $350 | $140-60% |
| Performance per Dollar | 51.5 | 127.9+148% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2021 |
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