Core i5-10400F vs Core i5-9600K: CPU comparison

Performance score

Core i5-10400F 2020, $155 · 6/12 cores/threads, 65 W

24.03

Core i5-9600K 2018 · 6/6 cores/threads, 95 W

23.80

Core i3-12100F Core i5-12400F Ryzen 5 7500F Ryzen 7 7800X3D Ryzen 7 9800X3D Core Ultra 7 265K Core i9-14900K Ryzen 9 9950X

Core i5-10400F 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 i5-10400F

114+13 %

faster than 54% of tested · runs: 37

Core i5-9600K

101

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 i5-10400F	Core i5-9600K
Score (0–100)	24.03	23.8
Ranking position	392	394
Price/performance (0–100)	55.63	no data
Power efficiency (0–100)	19.32	13.09
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Manufacturer	Intel	Intel
Architecture	Comet Lake	Coffee Lake Refresh
Release date	2020-04-30	Q4 2018
Launch price	$155	no data

Specifications

	Core i5-10400F	Core i5-9600K
Cores	6	6
Threads	12	6
Base clock	2.9 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz	4.6 GHz
L2 cache	1.5 MB	no data
L3 cache	12 MB	9 MB
Process node	14 nm	14 nm
Unlocked multiplier	no	yes
Integrated graphics	no	Intel UHD Graphics 630
NPU (AI accelerator)	no	no

Compatibility

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

Memory and PCI Express

	Core i5-10400F	Core 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 i5-10400F

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
has integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630)
unlocked multiplier (can be overclocked)

Other comparisons

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