There is a large discrepancy between Intel and AMD processors in terms of performance, and if you want the flagship processor, you will need to choose between the 9th generation Intel Core i5 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. The two chipsets (H110 and B350) offer different performance, and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is physically faster than the Intel Core i5 9600K.
Intel’s 8th Generation Core i5’s have been selling like hotcakes since the release of the 9th generation i5 7440G, and it seems that they’re going to stay in the market far after the 9th generation dies out. What’s even more surprising is that they’re outperforming AMD’s Ryzen 5’s in most tests.
We are here to help you decide between two of the latest processors to hit the market. If you are in the market for getting a new processor, the Intel i5 9600K and AMD Ryzen 5 3600 are two processors that are nearly identical in their gaming performance, which is why they are being compared for this article.
When it comes to excellent mid-range CPUs, you’ll be happy to hear that both Intel and AMD have many to choose from. The Ryzen 5 3600, on the other hand, is arguably one of the most popular mid-range CPUs on the market, and for good reason. On the other end of the spectrum is the Intel Core i5 9600K processor, which creates a divisive scenario in the market as consumers rush to make a choice.
Both CPUs are excellent, but there can only be one winner since you cannot choose between them. AMD has improved their CPUs in recent years, but is the Ryzen 5 3600 good enough to compete with the Intel Core i5 9600K? That’s why we’ve come to investigate.
Basic Specifications and Features
Before we go further into what these CPUs are all about, let’s have a look at the fundamental specifications and characteristics that these CPUs provide. Making a choice will become easier rather than more difficult in this manner.
To make things simpler for you, we’ve put up a table where you can compare and contrast both CPUs.
| Component | Intel Core i5 9600K | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Lake Coffee | Zen 2 |
| Socket | LGA 1151 | AM4 |
| Cores/Threads | 6/6 | 6/12 |
| Frequency of the base | 3.7 | 3.6 |
| Frequency Boost | 4.6 | 4.2 |
| L3 Cache | 9MB | 32MB |
| Process | 14nm | 7nm |
| TDP | 95W | 65W |
| Memory Capacity | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-3200 |
| Memory Management System | Dual-Channel | Dual-Channel |
| Graphics that are integrated | UHD Graphics from Intel | N/A |
| MSRP | $262 | $199 |
On paper, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 seems to be a much better deal since you get a lot more threads, although with somewhat slower base and boost speeds, but more cache, a newer manufacturing process, and faster memory performance. It is also less expensive than the Intel Core i5 9600K processor.
Granted, it lacks integrated graphics, but given that the majority of users would connect it with a GPU, this is a non-issue in the first place.
Winner: AMD Ryzen 5 3600: It not only has a superior collection of features, but it also comes at a lower price, and it has more threads, which may be beneficial in multi-threaded applications.
Options for Motherboards
Another essential consideration is the motherboard choices, which will ultimately determine the quality of your entire experience. The Ryzen 5 3600 offers good backwards compatibility with AM4 motherboards as long as the BIOS is updated properly.
However, you should be aware that although an AMD 300 or 400 series motherboard is a fantastic option, if you want PCI-Express 4.0 compatibility, you’ll need to pay a little more and buy an X570 motherboard.
If you want to spend money on an Intel Core i5 9600K, on the other hand, you’ll just need a motherboard from the Intel 300 series. You’ll need either a Z370 or Z390 motherboard, and that’s all there is to it.
Simply stated, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense, even if you just consider availability or broader compatibility, since it will enable you to use whichever motherboard you choose. Not only that, but PCI-E 4.0 compatibility is included, which is great and quick.
The Intel Core i5 9600K, on the other hand, is restricted to Z370 or Z390 motherboards and offers very little future-proofing.
Winner: AMD Ryzen 5 3600: The reason the Ryzen 5 3600 is the winner here is simple: you have outstanding future-proofing and backwards compatibility to the point where you have a lot of options. True, the motherboards are a little pricey, but there is at least a larger selection. Motherboards for the Intel Core i5 9600K Motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600 (Related)
Freedom from Overclocking
The Intel Core i5 9600K and Ryzen 5 3600 both come with an unlocked multiplier and may be overclocked. It’s essential to note, though, that the overclocking capability of these CPUs may be vastly different.
On a single-core, the Ryzen 5 3600 has a 4.2GHz boost speed, with the other cores running at approximately 200 to 300MHz slower. Based on my experience with Ryzen CPUs in general, I recommend leaving the overclocking functions to AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive. Sure, you can overclock all of the cores to a single number to improve multi-threaded performance, but you’ll sacrifice single-core speed in the process.
The Intel Core i5 9600K, on the other hand, has a single-core boost speed of 4.6GHz, but it can reach a 4.3GHz boost clock on all six cores at the same time. If you know how to overclock and have a suitable cooler installed on the CPU, the Core i5 9600K can easily reach 5GHz on all six cores.
Core i5 9600K is the winner. While AMD has made significant progress in terms of performance, the older generation still lags behind Intel in terms of overclocking.
Thermals
The TDP of both the Ryzen 5 3600 and the Core i5 9600K is 95W. However, since Intel calculates TDP based on the base clock, the power consumption may be somewhat greater.
Because both processors have standard sockets, finding cooling for them should be simple. Any cheap air cooler will suffice for mild overclocking or stock clocks. In the case of AMD, you’ll receive the Wraith Spire cooler right out of the box, eliminating the need to spend money on an aftermarket cooler.
Intel, on the other hand, does not come with a cooler, therefore you will almost certainly have to pay extra money.
Winner: AMD Ryzen 5 3600: Unlike the Core i5 9600K, the Ryzen 5 3600’s power consumption does not exceed the stated value. Not only that, but it also comes with a fantastic stock cooler that you can use right away without of having to pay additional money.
Gaming Capabilities
In terms of game performance, the fight is more closer than you would expect. Both the Ryzen 5 3600 and the Core i5 9600K are capable of trading blows. When compared to the Core i5, the Ryzen 5 3600 managed to offer better gaming performance on average.
To ensure that no additional problems arise and that performance is not hampered in any way, the bottleneck element was eliminated and the resolution was maintained at 1080p. Nonetheless, the Ryzen 5 3600 outperformed the other two processors in our test.
Winner: AMD Ryzen 5 3600: AMD did an excellent job in developing the CPU into what it is now. The Ryzen 5 3600 is one of, if not the finest, gaming CPUs available at the time of writing, and with a fresh generation of Ryzen processors on the way, things are only going to get better.
Performance in terms of productivity
Because of their outstanding multi-core performance, productivity has always been a strong suit for AMD CPUs, and that will not change here. The Ryzen 5 3600 has more threads, which provides it an advantage in applications that need multiple threads. When it comes to lightly threaded apps, however, the Intel Core i5 9600K comes out on top.
The competition is more tighter than I expected at the outset, but in the end, the Ryzen 5 3600 outperforms the competition on average, making it the obvious victor.
The winner is AMD Ryzen 5 3600, which should have been clear from the beginning. In virtually every way, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 outperforms the Intel Core i5 9600K, and although the Intel Core i5 9600K overclocks faster, you must realize that a single merit isn’t enough to give the blue team the win.
Final Thoughts
To say the least, the Intel Core i5 9600K is an amazing CPU. That may only be true on paper, since while being more costly than the Ryzen 5 3600, it fails to outperform the red team. Granted, it comes near, but that is all it does: it comes close to AMD and ultimately loses.
Only one of the six factors gave the Intel Core i5 9600K the upper hand over the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. That helps to explain why the Ryzen 5 3600 is the clear victor and an easy option for anybody constructing a new PC.
Also see:
The RTX 2060 vs. the RTX 2070 AMD RX 580 versus Nvidia RTX 2060 Nvidia GTX 970 vs RTX 2060
The Intel i5 9600K and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processors match up quite well, and both offer plenty of performance for most gaming needs. However, the 9600K is a tad bit faster in most tests, and includes a better stock cooler, so it’s a better choice for anyone who wants an overclocked system.. Read more about i5 9600k vs ryzen 5 3600 for gaming and let us know what you think.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ryzen 5 3600 better than i5-9600K?
Ryzen 5 3600 is a better processor than the i5-9600K because it has a higher clock speed.
Which is better Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5?
This is a difficult question to answer. There are many factors that go into choosing a processor, so it would be best if you ask someone who knows what theyre talking about.
What Ryzen is comparable to i5-9600K?
The Ryzen 5 3600 is a six-core processor with a 3.6GHz base clock and a 4.3GHz boost clock, while the i5-9600K is an 8-core processor with a 3.7GHz base clock and a 4.6GHz boost clock.
