Intel Core i5-8600K

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Intel Core i5-8600K
The Core i5-8600K leverages its extra two cores to great effect in threaded workloads, offering a substantial boost over its predecessor while aggressive Turbo Boost bins ensure great performance in lightly-threaded workloads. An easy overclocking experience, paired with excellent gaming performance that rivals previous-generation Core i7 models, will make the Core i5 series a heavily sought after processor for enthusiasts.
- As reviewed by TomsHardware on Oct 2017
6
Cores
6
Threads
3.6 GHz
Base Clock
4.3 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 1151
Socket
95 W
TDP
Intel UHD Graphics 630
Integrated Graphics
$172
Price
Release date:Oct 5, 2017Price at Launch:$257
Cores:6Threads:6
Base Clock:3.6 GHzBoost Clock:4.3 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:No
L2 Cache:1.5 MBL3 Cache:9 MB
Box Cooler:NoTDP:95 W
Socket:Socket LGA 1151Memory Support:DDR4‑2666
Codename:Coffee  LakeProcess Size:14 nm
Integrated Graphics:YesiGPU Model:Intel UHD Graphics 630
NPU:NoPCIe Support:PCIe 3.0, 16 Lanes
Intel Core i5-14600K
A newer model is available:
Intel Core i5-14600K

Performance Benchmarks

All benchmark data reflects aggregated results from dozens of tests conducted in TechSpot’s labs and compiled from our full library of CPU reviews. Single-core productivity scores are based primarily on Cinebench and Adobe Photoshop workloads. Multi-core results draw from Cinebench, Blender, Corona Benchmark, 7-Zip, Adobe Premiere Pro, and shader compilation tests. CPU gaming benchmarks are all 1080p runs (explainer) as published on TechSpot.

Single-Core Productivity

Multi-Core Productivity

Gaming Performance

Price History

Intel Core i5-8600K pricing

Last 6 months
Price Date
Current $172 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $404 Jul 31, 2025
Lowest* $121 Jul 15, 2025
Average $237
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
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Reviews and Ratings

86

Average Score

Based on 10 reviews

9.4

User Score

Based on 1,656 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Strong performance in both games and productivity applications
  • 6-cores, large multi-threaded gains over the previous generation
  • Unlocked multiplier

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Lacks HyperThreading
  • New motherboard required
  • Requires Heatsink

Battlefield V is playable on quad-cores but you can expect frequent frame dips, resulting in less consistent frame rates. For the most part, we've found that the older Core i5-7600K has been hanging in there pretty well with AAA titles released in 2018,...

By TechSpot on

Battlefield V is playable on quad-cores but you can expect frequent frame dips, resulting in less consistent frame rates. For the most part, we've found that the older Core i5-7600K has been hanging in there pretty well with AAA titles released in...

By TechSpot on

Wrapping up with the 720p data first, these low-res results are important for a few reasons, though for some they can be a bit misleading. They're important because they show us the true difference between CPUs in these games. With any speed limits...

By TechSpot on
89

The Intel Core i5-8600 retails for $229 or €210 at our friends at Caseking. Practically same performance as i5-8600K Higher single-threaded performance than competition 6 cores, large multi-threaded gains over the previous generation Integrated...

By techPowerUp! on
88

Does the new Intel i5-8600 spell the end for AMD's Ryzen CPUs? Let's find out! This 6 core, 3.1GHz CPU is locked, so no easy overclocking, but with solid IPC and good Turbo Boosting, does it matter much for gaming? Want one? Amazon: prourls.co/1hcf...

By techteamgb.co.uk on
80

If you look at the Core i5 8600 from a heavy workload point of view, it's sufficient. For your normal work PC, it's great, for gaming (dedicated graphics card) the Core i5 8600 is downright excellent. The high turbo's make it just as fast as the K...

By Guru of 3D on
90

The Core i5-8600K leverages its extra two cores to great effect in threaded workloads, offering a substantial boost over its predecessor while aggressive Turbo Boost bins ensure great performance in lightly-threaded workloads. An easy overclocking experience, paired with excellent gaming performance that rivals previous-generation Core i7 models, will make the Core i5 series a heavily sought after processor for enthusiasts.

By TomsHardware on
85

Closing the gap with RyzenOn paper, Intel's Coffee Lake chips may not seem very interesting. Okay, there are now two additional cores across the entire line-up, but what does that really mean? As it turns out, those two cores can do a lot, and Intel is...

By hardwarezone.com.sg on

Battling CPUs at $60 is going to be a tough call. Do you throw the best hardware around the chip that money can buy to compare the absolute limits of the hardware under ideal conditions, or do you keep it more reasonable for the price bracket it is...

By AnandTech on

The Intel i7-9700K received ample criticism at unveil for being the first “gaming,” S-class i7 in recent history to drop hyperthreading. The move was accompanied by an increase in physical core count to 8C, but followed the previous move from 4C/8T to...

By GamersNexus on

Regardless of what your budget is, there's a CPU that can meet your needs without emptying your bank account. Faster and more efficient CPUs are released every year, so there's no reason to pay for more than what you really need. But if you're an avid...

By Benchmark Reviews on

By name and by marketing, the i5 CPU is most comparable to the R5 CPUs. The R5 2600's current $160 price-point makes it a less direct comparison, and the 2600X, which would perform about where an overclocked 2600 performs, is about $220. This is also...

By GamersNexus on
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