Core i9-9900KS vs Core i5-11600K
Core i9-9900KS
Core i5-11600K
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 i9-9900KS
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-11600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9900KS | Core i5-11600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($350) | ✅ More affordable ($170) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Rocket Lake (2021) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9900KS | Core i5-11600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+107%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($350) | ✅ More affordable ($170) |
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 i9-9900KS and Core i5-11600K
Core i9-9900KS
The Core i9-9900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 October 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 127 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,397 points. Launch price was $513.
Core i5-11600K
The Core i5-11600K 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 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,520 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i9-9900KS packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-11600K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9900KS has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-11600K — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KS (base: 4 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i9-9900KS uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-11600K uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KS scores 19,397 against the Core i5-11600K's 19,520 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-11600K. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11600K.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KS | Core i5-11600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+2% | 4.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+3% | 3.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total)+33% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Rocket Lake (2021) |
| PassMark | 19,397 | 19,520 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-9900KS uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-11600K uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KS | Core i5-11600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-9900KS) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11600K). The Core i5-11600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core i9-9900KS requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11600K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KS | Core i5-11600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 750 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-9900KS launched at $513 MSRP, while the Core i5-11600K debuted at $262. At current prices ($350 vs $170), the Core i5-11600K is $180 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KS delivers 55.4 pts/$ vs 114.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-11600K — making the Core i5-11600K the 69.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KS | Core i5-11600K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $513 | $262-49% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $350 | $170-51% |
| Performance per Dollar | 55.4 | 114.8+107% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2021 |
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