Intel Core i5-9600KF vs Intel Core i7-6800K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-9600KF records an average benchmark score of 2935, which places it ahead of the Intel Core i7-6800K's average of 2838. This also gives the i5-9600KF a 52nd percentile ranking versus the i7-6800K's 51st percentile.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-6800K edges out the i5-9600KF in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 9093 against 9047, a margin of 0.5%. The results are very close, with both processors delivering nearly identical multi-threaded rendering scores in this test.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i5-9600KF show its largest advantage?

A: The i5-9600KF's biggest win comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1595 versus the i7-6800K's 1237, a 28.9% advantage. It also leads in Geekbench multi-core with 6184 versus 5688, an 8.7% lead.

Q: Do both processors support overclocking?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-9600KF and the Intel Core i7-6800K have an unlocked multiplier, making them suitable for overclocking.

Q: What are the memory subsystem differences between the two?

A: The i5-9600KF uses dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, while the i7-6800K uses quad-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The i7-6800K also has a larger shared L3 cache at 15 MB compared to 9 MB on the i5-9600KF.

Q: Which CPU offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core i7-6800K provides 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i5-9600KF offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits cleanly along workload type. For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness and Geekbench performance, the Intel Core i5-9600KF is the clear pick. It wins Geekbench single-core by 28.9% and Geekbench multi-core by 8.7%, demonstrating a substantial lead in those specific measurements.

For users whose workloads resemble Cinebench rendering, the Intel Core i7-6800K is the choice, though by a razor-thin margin. It wins all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core), but the largest delta is only 0.8%. The i7-6800K also offers quad-channel memory support and 28 PCIe lanes, which can matter for memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks and expansion-heavy builds.

The i5-9600KF carries the higher average benchmark score (2935 versus 2838) and a slightly better percentile ranking (52 versus 51). It also has a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to 3.40 GHz and 3.60 GHz on the i7-6800K. However, the i7-6800K counters with 12 threads versus 6, a larger 15 MB L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth.

In short: the i5-9600KF wins on raw clock speed and Geekbench results, while the i7-6800K wins on thread count, cache, memory bandwidth, and Cinebench scores. Users should select based on which benchmark family better reflects their actual applications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a near-sweep for the Intel Core i7-6800K across Cinebench, but the Intel Core i5-9600KF dominates in Geekbench. The i7-6800K wins six of the eight recorded tests, yet the i5-9600KF's two wins are by far the largest margins.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-6800K scores 916 against 911, a 0.5% edge. The single-core result is similarly tight: 129 versus 128, a 0.8% lead for the i7-6800K. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 3819 versus 3799 (0.5% lead), and R20 single-core shows 538 versus 536 (0.4% lead). Cinebench R23 multi-core repeats the pattern with 9093 versus 9047 (0.5% lead), and R23 single-core with 1283 versus 1277 (0.5% lead). Across every Cinebench test, the i7-6800K wins but never by more than 0.8%.

The Geekbench results invert the picture dramatically. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-9600KF scores 6184 against 5688, a 8.7% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1595 against 1237, a 28.9% advantage. These are decisive margins, particularly the single-core result, which shows the i5-9600KF's higher clock speeds translating into a substantial performance gap.

The overall win tally is 6 for the i7-6800K and 2 for the i5-9600KF. But the average benchmark score favors the i5-9600KF (2935 versus 2838), indicating that the magnitude of the Geekbench wins outweighs the narrow Cinebench edges in the aggregate.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i5-9600KF has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core i7-6800K has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i5-9600KF runs at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and boosts to 4.60 GHz, whereas the i7-6800K operates at 3.40 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost.

Thermal design power differs significantly: the i5-9600KF is rated at 95 W, while the i7-6800K is rated at 140 W. The i5-9600KF uses the Intel Socket 1151, and the i7-6800K uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The i7-6800K has a larger shared L3 cache of 15 MB versus 9 MB on the i5-9600KF, though both have 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core.

Memory support also diverges. The i5-9600KF supports dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-6800K supports quad-channel DDR4 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe lane counts differ as well: 16 Gen 3 lanes for the i5-9600KF versus 28 Gen 3 lanes for the i7-6800K. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has integrated graphics.

The i7-6800K also carries a launch MSRP of $434. The i5-9600KF has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Both parts are marked as end-of-life production status, and both have unlocked multipliers.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-9600KF is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, using a 14 nm process node. The Intel Core i7-6800K uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-E, also on a 14 nm node. Both are manufactured by Intel.

The i7-6800K has a documented transistor count of 3,400 million and a die size of 246 mm². The i5-9600KF has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

The i7-6800K's Broadwell-E design includes 12 threads through Hyper-Threading, which is absent on the i5-9600KF. The i7-6800K also carries a larger 15 MB shared L3 cache and quad-channel memory support, while the i5-9600KF has 9 MB of shared L3 and dual-channel memory. The i5-9600KF compensates with higher clock speeds, reaching 4.60 GHz boost versus 3.60 GHz on the i7-6800K.

Both chips are unlocked for overclocking, but the i7-6800K's 140 W TDP suggests a higher power envelope, while the i5-9600KF's 95 W TDP reflects a more modest requirement. The i7-6800K's 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes give it an expansion advantage over the i5-9600KF's 16 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-9600KF wins in Geekbench workloads. Its 28.9% lead in Geekbench single-core and 8.7% lead in Geekbench multi-core indicate that applications relying on the metrics captured by Geekbench will see a clear advantage. The higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz is the likely driver of this gap, and the data shows this processor is better suited for workloads that favor high-frequency, lower-latency execution.

The Intel Core i7-6800K wins in Cinebench workloads across all three versions (R15, R20, R23) and in both single-core and multi-core variants. While the margins are small (0.4% to 0.8%), the consistency of the wins suggests that Cinebench's rendering workloads benefit from the i7-6800K's 12 threads and larger 15 MB L3 cache. The quad-channel memory interface with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth may also contribute to these results, especially in multi-core rendering scenarios.

For users building systems with heavy expansion needs, the i7-6800K's 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes offer more flexibility than the i5-9600KF's 16 lanes. For memory-bandwidth-sensitive applications, the i7-6800K's quad-channel support doubles the theoretical bandwidth of the i5-9600KF's dual-channel configuration.

The i5-9600KF is the better choice for users who want the higher average benchmark score (2935 versus 2838) and stronger Geekbench results. The i7-6800K is the better choice for users who run Cinebench-style rendering tasks, need more PCIe lanes, or require quad-channel memory bandwidth. The two processors are closely matched overall, with the i5-9600KF ahead by a 3.4% margin in average score, but the i7-6800K's thread and memory advantages make it the more versatile platform for multi-threaded and expansion-oriented builds.