Intel Core i5-10600 vs Intel Core i5-11600K

Processor comparisons   17-03-2021
   Perhaps you can't decide which CPU to buy, you can make a choice by looking at the Intel Core i5-10600 vs Intel Core i5-11600K tests and understand which is better for games or simple use for streaming, video editing, machine learning, programming, rendering. Here you can find useful information from real streaming and video editing tests or several benchmarks. A step-by-step analysis of all the technical characteristics, so that it can be easier to understand, is made by the table.
   From the comparison video, you can get the results of joint testing in software tests like MATLAB, Blender, GeekBench 6, 5.2, DaVinci Resolve Studio, WPrime, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), SuperPi, VeraCrypt, 7zip, UserBenchmark, AIDA64, 3DMark, Dolphin Emulator, Blender, PCMark 10, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, RealBench, PassMark, Handbrake, Prime95, Furmark, Gears 5.
   Gaming performance of processors in:

Valorant
Overwatch
Halo Infinite
Red Dead Redemption 2
Fallout 76
Valheim
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Borderlands 3
Apex Legends
Grand Theft Auto V
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare
Cyberpunk 2077
Watch Dogs Legion
Last Man Standing
Rainbow Six Siege
Death Stranding
Fortnite
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
DOOM: Eternal

After looking at the data of joint benchmarks and videos, you can already make an informed decision about which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i5-11600K or Intel Core i5-10600.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Core i5-10600

54%

Core i5-11600K

56%

This value shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i5-11600K is 3% better than Core i5-10600. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i5-10600

54%

Core i5-11600K

54%

The maximum result in this parameter is 100 percent, which is the performance of the most powerful processor at the moment. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because this processor costs several tens of thousands of dollars. And if it seems to you that the selected CPU has a little game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the summary table below.
List of less popular games in which processors were compared: DOTA 2A, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, NBA 2K20, Metro Exodus, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Forza Horizon 4, Monster Hunter World, League of Legends (LOL), Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Ghostrunner, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Control, Hitman 3, Horizon Zero Dawn, Battlefield V, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Half-Life: Alyx.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	95.2	95.2
Valorant	108.1	108.1
Cyberpunk 2077	60.6	60.6
Apex Legends	101.6	101.6
Call of Duty Warzone	81.1	81.1
Overwatch	87.6	87.6
Red Dead Redemption 2	74.6	74.6
DOOM Eternal	54.1	54.1
Warzone	84.3	84.3
Assassin's Creed	90.8	90.8
Valheim	89.7	89.7

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The computers that were in the comparisons not only did they have different video cards and different amounts of RAM. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 2K, 4K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful the processor will be in games, if you get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i5-10600

67%

Core i5-11600K

43%

To make a final decision on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. It is clear that the newer the generation, the better the performance of the processor in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Core i5-10600 is more energy efficient than the Core i5-11600K since it has less power consumption: 65W vs. 125W. Power consumption is especially important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, you need to know its TDP. It is necessary to count so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

For example you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for streaming, programming, video rendering or video editing, machine learning, then first of all you need to pay attention to the performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, the processor includes all cores and threads that it has to the maximum to reach maximum performance. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before using the data from these tests, be sure to check whether the program you are going to use on your computer supports multi-threaded mode. Since there are still many programs that can use only one core to run, and all the advantages of multi-core mode turns out to be unnecessary.
Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i5-10600	Intel Core i5-11600K
Cinbench 15 Single-core	214	199
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	1569	1905
Cinbench 20 Single-core	494	465
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	3556	4270
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1286	1213
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	9024	11302

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i5-10600	Intel Core i5-11600K
Single-Core	2832	2707
Multi-Core	13964	20616

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i5-10600	Intel Core i5-11600K
Single-Core	1307	1621
Multi-Core	7015	7012

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the most helpful will be the release date of the processor and the possibility of overclocking it. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS even in new games. The savings are obvious! It turns out that you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Intel Core i5-10600	Intel Core i5-11600K
Announcement date	April 01, 2020	January 20, 2021
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	FCLGA1200	FCLGA1200
Core name	Comet Lake	Rocket Lake
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	10	11
Turbo Frequency	4.8 MHz	4.9 MHz
Frequency	3.3 MHz	3.9 MHz
Cores	6	6
Threads	12	12
Bus rate	8 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Transistors count	4800 millions	5400 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	65 W	125 W
Memory type	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200
Max. Memory	128 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency		3200
Memory bandwidth	41.6 GB/s	50 GB/s
L1 cache
L2 cache		3 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB
Overclocking	Yes	No
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i5-11600K is 15% better than Core i5-10600 in terms of CPU frequency. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i5-10600 is better: 7
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i5-11600K is better: 13
However, it should be realized that all the data in the text above do not mean that taking them into account you should completely trust a simple quantitative comparison. Better to watch the video tests and read the reviews of real owners of Intel Core i5-10600 and Intel Core i5-11600K before making a decision which CPU to buy for gaming and which not.

• Intel Core i5-10600 specs and review.

• Intel Core i5-11600K specs and review.