i5-10600K vs i9-9940X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9940X
2018
14 cores / 28 threads, 165 Watt
17.61
+95.7%
Core i5-10600K
2020
6 cores / 12 threads, 125 Watt
9.00

Core i9-9940X outperforms Core i5-10600K by an impressive 96% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking350846
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation5.0815.23
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9no data
Power efficiency10.106.81
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Comet Lake (2020)
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)30 April 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,387$262

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-10600K has 200% better value for money than i9-9940X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores14 (Tetradeca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads2812
Base clock speed3.3 GHz4.1 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz4.8 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s8 GT/s
Multiplier33no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache19.25 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Die size484 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature88 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+-

Security technologies

Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection-+
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s41.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel UHD Graphics 630
Max video memoryno data64 GB
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.2 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160@30Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096 x 2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data4096 x 2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4416

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-9940X 17.61
+95.7%
i5-10600K 9.00

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-9940X 27975
+95.6%
i5-10600K 14300

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i9-9940X 1465
i5-10600K 1689
+15.3%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i9-9940X 10309
+49.4%
i5-10600K 6898

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 17.61 9.00
Recency 19 October 2018 30 April 2020
Physical cores 14 6
Threads 28 12
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 125 Watt

i9-9940X has a 95.7% higher aggregate performance score, and 133.3% more physical cores and 133.3% more threads.

i5-10600K, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, and 32% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-9940X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-10600K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9940X and Core i5-10600K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i9-9940X
Core i9-9940X
Intel Core i5-10600K
Core i5-10600K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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