Intel Core i3-9320 vs Intel Core i5-7600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for these two desktop processors is remarkably one-sided. Across every single recorded test, the Intel Core i3-9320 finishes ahead of the Intel Core i5-7600. The most consistent observation is the near-uniform margin of victory. In both single-core and multi-core workloads, the i3-9320 holds a lead of roughly 10.5% to 10.6% over the i5-7600.

Looking at the Cinebench R15 suite, the i3-9320 scores 630 in the multi-core test against the i5-7600's 563, a difference of 10.6%. The single-core result is similar: 88 versus 79, a 10.2% edge. These are not marginal wins; they represent a clear generational step in per-clock efficiency and core performance.

The pattern persists in Cinebench R20. The i3-9320 records 2626 in multi-core, while the i5-7600 manages 2348, again a 10.6% gap. Single-core sees the i3-9320 at 370 versus 331, a 10.5% advantage. The consistency of these margins across different rendering workloads suggests the i3-9320's architectural refinements and higher clock speeds translate uniformly into performance.

The Cinebench R23 results reinforce the trend. The i3-9320 posts 6254 in multi-core against the i5-7600's 5591, a 10.6% gap. In single-core, the i3-9320 achieves 882, while the older chip manages 789, a 10.5% difference. Across all six head-to-head tests, the i3-9320 wins every round, with a total win count of six to zero.

The average benchmark score in the database places the i5-7600 at 1844, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core i7-8706G at 1842 (a 0.1% delta). The i3-9320 has an average score of 1808, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U at 1810 (a 0.1% delta). While the i3-9320 is the clear winner in this direct comparison, its broader standing is slightly lower than the i5-7600, both sitting at the 42nd percentile of all CPUs. This indicates that while the i3-9320 is faster, the i5-7600 is closer to its own contemporary rivals.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-9320 is the faster processor in this matchup. It wins every benchmark test in the database by a consistent margin of roughly 10.5%. The i3-9320 also benefits from a later release date, a newer architecture, and a higher boost clock. However, the i5-7600 is not without its own credentials. Both CPUs sit at the 42nd percentile of all processors, meaning they occupy a similar tier in the broader performance landscape.

For a user focused purely on raw compute performance, the i3-9320 is the logical choice. It delivers a measurable, repeatable advantage in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The i3-9320 also offers ECC memory support, a feature absent on the i5-7600, which may be relevant for specific professional or stability-critical applications.

The i5-7600, despite being older, retains a competitive average benchmark score of 1844, which is slightly higher than the i3-9320's 1808. This is due to its strong showing against its own nearest rivals. The i5-7600's production status is listed as active, while the i3-9320 is end-of-life, which could influence platform availability.

The verdict from the recorded data: the i3-9320 is the superior performer. The i5-7600 is a capable, still-supported option, but it cannot match the newer chip's output in any measured category. The choice is clear if benchmark scores are the primary criterion.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-9320 wins in every single benchmark category. It leads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core variants. This makes it the outright winner for any workload that relies on CPU rendering, such as video encoding, 3D model rendering, or batch image processing. Its higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, compared to the i5-7600's 4.10 GHz, contributes to its single-core dominance, which is critical for lightly-threaded tasks like spreadsheet calculations or legacy software that cannot use multiple cores effectively.

The Intel Core i5-7600 does not win any benchmark. However, it is not entirely without advantages. Its production status is active, meaning it may still be available for new system builds. Its integrated graphics is the HD 630, whereas the i3-9320 uses the UHD Graphics 630, a newer iteration. The i5-7600 also has a higher average benchmark score (1844) relative to its nearest rivals than the i3-9320 does, indicating it sits more comfortably in its own performance class.

For users with a motherboard that specifically supports the Kaby Lake generation, the i5-7600 remains a functional choice. It is not a performance winner, but its active production status and established platform support mean it can still serve in a general-purpose desktop. The i3-9320, by contrast, is the pick for anyone who wants the highest possible score in the database's rendering tests without any concern for the chip's end-of-life status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-9320 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-7600 has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-7600 and the Intel Core i3-9320 have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The Intel Core i3-9320 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the Intel Core i5-7600 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-9320 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-7600 does not.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600 is listed as active in production, while the Intel Core i3-9320 is listed as end-of-life.

Q: How much faster is the i3-9320 in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The i3-9320 scores 6254, which is 10.6% higher than the i5-7600's score of 5591.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations. The Intel Core i5-7600 is based on the Kaby Lake architecture, with a 14 nm process node. The Intel Core i3-9320 uses the Coffee Lake architecture, also on a 14 nm node, but it represents a later refresh. This architectural difference is a primary driver of the performance gap, as the Coffee Lake design delivers higher instructions per clock in the recorded benchmarks.

Both CPUs have 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with a 64 KB L1 cache and 256 KB L2 cache per core. The key cache difference is in the L3: the i5-7600 has 6 MB shared, while the i3-9320 has 8 MB shared. This larger cache allows the i3-9320 to hold more working data, reducing the need to access slower system memory.

The base and boost clocks differ. The i5-7600 runs at 3.50 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The i3-9320 runs at 3.70 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. The higher clocks on the i3-9320 explain part of its consistent 10.5% lead, especially in single-core tests. The thermal design power is slightly lower on the i3-9320 at 62 watts versus 65 watts for the i5-7600, indicating a modest efficiency improvement.

Both processors use the Intel Socket 1151 and support dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. They also share the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ: the i5-7600 has the HD 630, while the i3-9320 has the UHD Graphics 630. The i3-9320 also has a measured die size of 126 mm², while the i5-7600's die size is not recorded. The i3-9320 supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i5-7600. The release dates are separated by over two years, with the i5-7600 launching in early 2017 and the i3-9320 in April 2019.