Description
Pros
Strong Performance in gaming and applications Unlocked multiplier Multi-threaded with 6 coresCons
Heatsink needs to be purchased separatelyThe Intel Core i5 8600K is a high configuration processor with six cores based on Intel Coffee Lake architecture. It works with great effect in multi-threaded workloads, offering a substantial boost over its predecessors. Its aggressive Turbo Boost bins ensure great performance in lightly-threaded workloads.
An easy overclocking experience along-with excellent gaming performance is a great boost over previous-generation Intel Core i7 models, making the Intel Core i5 8600k a great buy for techies !!!

Intel Core i5 8600K- Specifications
Following are the major specifications of Intel Core i5 8600K :
Performance Specifications
No.of Cores | 6 |
No. of Threads | 6 |
Processor Base Frequency | 3.6 GHz |
Max Turbo Frequency | 4.3 GHz |
Cache | 9 MB Smart Cache |
Bus Speed | 8 GT/s DMI3 |
TDP | 95 W |
Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size | 664 GB |
Memory Types | DDR4-2666 |
Max number of memory channels | 2 |
Max Memory Bandwidth | 41.6 GB/s |
ECC Memory supported | No |
Graphics Specifications
Processor Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
Intel Quick Sync Video | Yes |
Graphics Video Max Memory (GB) | 64 |
Graphics Base Frequency (MHz) | 350 |
Max Resolution (HDMI 1.4) (Hz) | 4096*[email protected] |
DirectX Support | 12 |
No. of displays supported | 3 |
OpenGL Support | 4.5 |
Graphics Maximum Dynamic Frequency (GHz) | 1.05 |
Intel Core i5 8600k Features Review
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Performance
Intel has added extra 2 cores to its Core i5 8600K which is an addition as compared to to previous-generation Intel Core i5 models with 4 cores. In addition, clock rates are also significantly higher compared to the older versions.
The Core i5 8600K accommodates six cores and threads into its 14nm ++ chip while upgrading base/boost speeds of 3.6GHz and 4.3GHz, respectively.
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Graphics
In terms of graphics features, the processor graphics is same as its predecessors (Intel UHD Graphics 630) but there is a great increase in graphics dynamic frequency from 50 MHz to 1150 MHz.
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Power Consumption
Thermal Design Power(TDP) of i5 8600K is 95 Watts which makes it easily manageable to deal with the created heat. In addition, it has 52% less power leakage than previous generation core i5 processors making it very power efficient and playing a key role to enable higher number of cores in the same TDP range.
However, Core i5 8600K doesn’t come with an air- or closed-loop liquid cooler making its tendency to get overheated.
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Memory
The Core i5 8600K has extra cache featuring 9 MB of L3 cache which plays an important role in memory improvements and a higher performance .Core i5 8600K supports memory type DDR4-2666 which can scale upto 42.7 GB/s across two 64-bit channels as compared to DDR4-2400’s which can only scale upto 38.4 GB/s.
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Motherboard Support
Core i5 8600K fits well only with the Z370 boards and comes with a unlocked multiplier which to manipulate its ratio. It has other features like overclocking for each core, real time memory timing adjustments and memory multipliers which scale upto 8400 MT/s.
We recommend ASRock – Z370 Killer SLI/ac ATX LGA1151 motherboard priced at $174.00 on Amazon.com for core i5 8600K due to its decent overclocking and diagnosis features.
Performance Benchmarks
If we compare core i5 8600K with its direct competitors Ryzen 5 1600 and Ryzen 5 1600X, core i5 8600K wins in several benchmarks :
Benchmarks | Core i5 8600K | Ryzen 5 1600 | Ryzen 5 1600X |
Cinebench R15 Single Core | 188 | 141 | 155 |
Cinebench R15 Multi Core | 1046 | 1137 | 1207 |
Handbrake h.264 (fps) | 17.8 | 17.4 | 17.8 |
Handbrake HEVC (fps) | 7.2 | 5.4 | 5.7 |
Gaming Benchmarks
Games Tested | Core i5 8600K | Ryzen 5 1600 | Ryzen 5 1600X |
Assassin’s Creed Unity, Ultra High | 132.2 | 116.4 | 118.7 |
Crysis 3, Very High | 139.5 | 124.9 | 130.9 |
The Division, Ultra | 138.1 | 129.8 | 130.9 |
Far Cry Primal, Ultra | 139.9 | 91.8 | 96.1 |
Rise of the Tomb Raider DX12, Very High | 130.2 | 95.6 | 99.8 |
The Witcher 3, Ultra, No Hairworks | 154.2 | 106.1 | 111.6 |
Intel Core i5 8600k is lot faster than Ryzen 5s and results continue to confirm that Intel’s hyper-threading technology allows its processors to perform above their benchmarks.
Hence, it can be concluded that Core i5 8600K effectively replaces Intel’s last generation i7 processors and it is a good bet for techies willing to invest in a stable and long lasting system.
Intel Core i5 8600k Price Comparison
The cost per core/thread of Intel core i5 8600k is $42.83/$42.83.
Note: There is a 20$ premium for K series Intel processors as compared to its other processors. However, cost per core is less.
Intel i5 8600k price varies in India (as on Amazon.in) starting from Rs. 20,799 to Rs. 21,447.
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