Intel Core i5-9600K vs Intel Core i7-8750H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear overall picture: the Intel Core i5-9600K wins 16 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core i7-8750H. The margin is not uniform, however, and the three victories for the i7-8750H reveal where its architecture holds surprising advantages.

Starting with the rendering workloads, the i5-9600K leads consistently across all Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 912 against 834, a 9.4% advantage. The same 9.4% delta appears in R15 singlecore (128 vs 117), R20 multicore (3803 vs 3475), R20 singlecore (536 vs 490), R23 multicore (9055 vs 8274), and R23 singlecore (1278 vs 1168). The uniformity of that 9.4% gap across every Cinebench test is striking, suggesting the difference is not workload-specific but tied to core clock behavior.

The Geekbench results widen the gap considerably. The i5-9600K scores 6075 multicore against 4978, a 22% lead, and 1559 singlecore against 1309, a 19.1% lead. These are the largest percentage deltas in the multi-threaded category and indicate that the i5-9600K's higher sustained clocks translate directly into better integer and floating point performance in this benchmark suite.

PassMark tests reveal a more nuanced story. The i5-9600K dominates in extended instructions with a 49.5% lead (12914 vs 8637), and in prime number finding with a 59.3% lead (43 vs 27). These are the biggest wins either processor manages anywhere in the dataset. Floating point math also favors the i5-9600K by 12.3% (24913 vs 22179), and physics by 23.5% (746 vs 604). Multithreaded performance favors the i5-9600K by 8.5% (10636 vs 9799), and single-threaded performance by 19.8% (2727 vs 2276). Data compression is closer, with the i5-9600K ahead by only 6.6% (148639 vs 139418).

The i7-8750H's three wins are concentrated in specific areas. Data encryption favors the mobile chip by 3.5% (3388 vs 3269). Integer math is a decisive victory for the i7-8750H at 35629 vs 29215, an 18% margin. Random string sorting goes to the i7-8750H by a slim 1.7% (18622 vs 18313). The integer math result is particularly notable because it is the only major benchmark where the i7-8750H's 12 threads clearly overcome the i5-9600K's clock advantage.

Looking at the broader database context, the i5-9600K sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 14605, while the i7-8750H sits at the 68th percentile with 13868. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce their relative positions: the i5-9600K trades nearly evenly with the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (0.1% delta) and AMD EPYC 7473X (0.2%), while the i7-8750H is 0.5% behind the AMD EPYC 7443 and 1.2% behind the Intel Core i5-10400.

The overall average benchmark score difference is 737 points in favor of the i5-9600K, which represents about 5.3% of the i7-8750H's average. That is a meaningful gap, but the i7-8750H's wins in integer math and encryption show it is not simply a slower copy of the same design.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-9600K boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-8750H boosts to 4.10 GHz. The i5-9600K also has a higher base clock at 3.70 GHz versus 2.20 GHz.

Q: Does the i7-8750H win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the i7-8750H wins three tests: PassMark data encryption (3388 vs 3269), PassMark integer math (35629 vs 29215), and PassMark random string sorting (18622 vs 18313).

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i5-9600K leads by exactly 9.4% in every single-core test. Geekbench singlecore shows a 19.1% lead, and PassMark single-threaded tests show a 19.8% lead.

Q: What is the difference in thread counts?

A: The i5-9600K has 6 threads total (6 cores, no hyper-threading), while the i7-8750H has 12 threads (6 cores with hyper-threading). Despite having half the threads, the i5-9600K still wins the multithreaded PassMark test by 8.5%.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-8750H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-9600K has 9 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: Are both processors based on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use Intel's 14 nm process node and are based on the Coffee Lake architecture. The i5-9600K uses the Coffee Lake codename, while the i7-8750H uses Coffee Lake-H.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Coffee Lake architecture and Intel's 14 nm process node, but they target different market segments and that changes how the silicon is configured. The i5-9600K is a desktop part, socketed into Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-8750H is a mobile part soldered to Intel BGA 1440. This is the fundamental architectural split: one is designed for a tower chassis with a 95 W TDP, the other for a laptop chassis with a 45 W TDP.

The core counts are identical at six physical cores, but the threading strategy differs sharply. The i5-9600K runs 6 threads, one per core, with no simultaneous multithreading. The i7-8750H runs 12 threads, two per core, which is the classic hyper-threading arrangement. In theory, that should give the mobile chip a major advantage in highly parallel workloads. The benchmark data shows this advantage exists but is narrow and inconsistent, only manifesting clearly in integer math.

Cache allocation also differs. Both chips give each core 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2, but the shared L3 pool is 9 MB on the i5-9600K versus 12 MB on the i7-8750H. The extra 3 MB of L3 on the mobile chip is notable, since more shared cache can reduce memory latency in certain access patterns. The random string sorting win for the i7-8750H may reflect this cache advantage, though that test only shows a 1.7% delta.

The i5-9600K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the i7-8750H is locked. This is a meaningful architectural feature difference for desktop users, though the database does not include overclocked benchmark results. Both chips integrate the same UHD 630 graphics solution, and both lack ECC memory support.

The i7-8750H has a recorded die size of 149 mm², while the i5-9600K does not have a die size listed in the database. Memory bandwidth is listed for the i5-9600K at 42.7 GB/s with dual-channel support, while the i7-8750H has no memory bus or bandwidth figures recorded. The i5-9600K also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-8750H has no PCIe information recorded.

Both are end-of-life products. The release dates differ slightly: the i7-8750H launched in April 2018, and the i5-9600K launched in October 2018. Both use the same UHD 630 integrated graphics, which means any visual output differences come from the surrounding platform rather than the GPU block itself.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The i5-9600K has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the i7-8750H has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial: 95 W for the desktop chip versus 45 W for the mobile chip.

Thread counts differ as described: 6 threads for the i5-9600K, 12 for the i7-8750H. L3 cache differs at 9 MB versus 12 MB. The socket types differ completely: Intel Socket 1151 versus Intel BGA 1440. Market segments differ: Desktop versus Mobile.

The part numbers are SR3WZ for the i5-9600K and SR3YY for the i7-8750H. The multiplier is unlocked on the i5-9600K and locked on the i7-8750H. The i7-8750H has a recorded die size of 149 mm², while the i5-9600K has none listed. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s for the i5-9600K with dual-channel support, while the i7-8750H has no such data recorded. PCIe information exists only for the i5-9600K: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Both share the same core count (6), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), process node (14 nm), manufacturer (Intel), foundry (Intel), architecture (Coffee Lake), integrated graphics (UHD 630), ECC support (false), and production status (end-of-life).

The Verdict

The data points to the i5-9600K as the stronger processor in the vast majority of measured scenarios. It wins 16 of 19 benchmarks, holds a higher percentile ranking (69th versus 68th), and posts a higher average benchmark score (14605 versus 13868). The consistency of its single-core advantage, ranging from 9.4% in Cinebench to 19.8% in PassMark, suggests that higher clock speeds are the deciding factor.

However, the i7-8750H is not without merit. Its 18% win in integer math is the largest margin either chip achieves in any benchmark where the i7-8750H comes out ahead. The 12 threads matter in that specific workload. For users who prioritize integer-heavy tasks, the mobile chip offers a genuine advantage.

The i5-9600K appears better suited for desktop builders who want strong all-around performance, especially in single-threaded and rendering workloads. Its unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for users who plan to overclock, though no overclocked data is included in the database. The i7-8750H makes more sense in a laptop context where the 45 W TDP is necessary for thermal and battery constraints, and where its integer math strength can be leveraged.

Neither processor is a clear winner in every category. The benchmark data shows a desktop chip that dominates most tests but loses the integer math contest by a wide margin, and a mobile chip that wins three targeted tests but trails everywhere else.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-9600K wins in rendering and content creation workloads. All six Cinebench tests, across R15, R20, and R23, go to the i5-9600K by 9.4%. Geekbench multicore and singlecore also favor the desktop chip by 22% and 19.1% respectively. PassMark physics shows a 23.5% lead, and floating point math shows a 12.3% lead. The extended instructions test is a major win at 49.5%, and prime number finding is the biggest win at 59.3%.

The i7-8750H wins in three specific areas. Data encryption favors it by 3.5%, which may reflect the additional threads handling encryption workloads more efficiently. Integer math is its strongest category at 18% ahead, a decisive margin that suggests the 12-thread configuration is well suited to this type of arithmetic. Random string sorting is a narrow 1.7% win, the closest result in the entire comparison.

For users choosing between these two, the split is clear. The i5-9600K is the choice for single-threaded performance, rendering, physics calculations, floating point math, and any workload that benefits from higher clock speeds. The i7-8750H is the choice for integer math, data encryption, and random string sorting, three specialized areas where its thread count and cache configuration provide measurable benefits. The overall average benchmark score favors the i5-9600K, but the i7-8750H's targeted wins should not be ignored in workload planning.