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Core i5-10400 vs Core i5-9600K

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Performance score

Core i5-10400 2020 · 6/12 cores/threads, 65 W
24.03
Core i5-9600K 2018 · 6/6 cores/threads, 95 W
23.80

Core i5-10400 and Core i5-9600K are almost equally fast (under 3% apart) — choose by price, socket and platform.

Different sockets (LGA1200 and LGA1151) — switching between them needs a different motherboard.

The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.

Real tests

What the test measures

Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.

CPU rendering (Blender)

Core i5-10400
117+16 %

faster than 56% of tested · runs: 18

faster than 51% of tested · runs: 30

Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.

Overview

Core i5-10400Core i5-9600K
Score (0–100) 24.03 23.8
Ranking position 391 394
Power efficiency (0–100) 19.32 13.09
Type Desktop Desktop
Manufacturer Intel Intel
Architecture Comet Lake Coffee Lake Refresh
Release date Q2 2020 Q4 2018

Specifications

Core i5-10400Core i5-9600K
Cores 6 6
Threads 12 6
Base clock 2.9 GHz 3.7 GHz
Boost clock 4.3 GHz 4.6 GHz
L3 cache 12 MB 9 MB
Process node 14 nm 14 nm
Unlocked multiplier no yes
Integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 630 Intel UHD Graphics 630
NPU (AI accelerator) no no

Compatibility

Core i5-10400Core i5-9600K
Socket LGA1200 LGA1151
TDP 65 W 95 W

Memory and PCI Express

Core i5-10400Core i5-9600K
Memory type DDR4-2666 DDR4-2666
Memory channels 2 2
Max memory 128 GB 128 GB
PCI Express version 3.0 3.0
PCIe lanes 16 16

Pros and cons

Core i5-10400

  • more threads: 12 vs 6
  • bigger L3 cache: 12 MB vs 9 MB
  • lower TDP: 65 W vs 95 W
  • newer: released in 2020

Core i5-9600K

  • 7% faster single core
  • unlocked multiplier (can be overclocked)

Other comparisons

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