Intel Core i5-9600K
The current Intel Core i5-9600K price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Intel · CPU
Retailer photo of Intel Core i5-9600K. View this offer in Where to buy
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: LowAt CAD 203 the Intel Core i5-9600K is priced in line with its CAD 203 representative market level. Only one verified new offer stands behind it, so the level can move quickly.
Consider: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 offers stronger value around CAD 125.Compare
Prices & availability
Intel Core i5-9600K: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
2 tracked offers · 2 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5-9600K | Newegg | New | CAD 203 | 30 | 2026-11-08 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i5-9600K | Amazon | New | Check on Amazon | 24 | 2026-11-09 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i5-9600KMultiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#179 of 234 graded processors
- #176 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 7
- #177 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 4100 6
- #178 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 6
- #179 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 6
- #180 IntelIntel Core i5-9600KF 6
- #181 IntelIntel Core i5-9600 6
- #182 IntelIntel Core i7-5930K 6
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#94 of 234 currently priced processors
- #91 AMDRyzen 7 7800X3D 31
- #92 IntelIntel Core i5-11600 31
- #93 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 30
- #94 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 30
- #95 AMDRyzen 7 9800X3D 30
- #96 IntelIntel Core i7-12700K 30
- #97 IntelIntel Core i7-11700K 29
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#149 of 234 graded processors
- #146 IntelIntel Core i9-10940X 56
- #147 IntelIntel Core i7-8700K 56
- #148 IntelIntel Core i5-10600 56
- #149 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 56
- #150 IntelIntel Xeon E 2286G 55
- #151 IntelIntel Core i9-7940X 55
- #152 IntelIntel Core i7-9700F 55
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#123 of 234 currently priced processors
- #120 IntelIntel Xeon E5 2620 V2 40
- #121 IntelIntel Core i7-9700K 40
- #122 IntelIntel Core i9-13900 40
- #123 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 40
- #124 IntelIntel Core i7-9700 40
- #125 IntelIntel Core i5-8400 40
- #126 IntelIntel Core i7-9700KF 39
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#179 of 234 graded processors
- #176 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 7
- #177 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 4100 6
- #178 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 6
- #179 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 6
- #180 IntelIntel Core i5-9600KF 6
- #181 IntelIntel Core i5-9600 6
- #182 IntelIntel Core i7-5930K 6
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#155 of 234 currently priced processors
- #152 IntelIntel Core i9-10920X 26
- #153 IntelIntel Xeon E5-2699 v4 25
- #154 IntelIntel Core i5-10600K 25
- #155 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 25
- #156 IntelIntel Core i9-7900X 24
- #157 IntelIntel Core i3-8100 24
- #158 IntelIntel Core i7-6900K 24
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#169 of 234 graded processors
- #166 IntelIntel Core i5-10400F 14
- #167 IntelIntel Core i9-10900X 14
- #168 IntelIntel Core i9-9900X 14
- #169 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 14
- #170 IntelIntel Core i5-9600KF 14
- #171 IntelIntel Core i3-9300 14
- #172 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 2200G 14
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#77 of 234 currently priced processors
- #74 IntelIntel Core i5-13600KF 26
- #75 IntelIntel Core i5-11600 26
- #76 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1230 V5 26
- #77 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 26
- #78 IntelIntel Core i5-10500 25
- #79 IntelIntel Core i7-4790 25
- #80 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9900X 25
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value30 | Higher capability Ryzen 5 9600X 61 +182% capability | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 5500 77 +81% capability |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeB Value40 | Higher capability Ryzen 5 9600X A 91 +31% capability | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core i3-14100F C 100 +15% capability |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeF Value25 | Higher capability Ryzen 5 9600X C 62 +182% capability | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 5500 D 59 +81% capability |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeF Value26 | Higher capability Ryzen 5 9600X A 62 +357% capability | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 5500 C 87 +195% capability |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value with Balanced priorities — the calculation only gets there near CAD 75, against a cheapest tracked CAD 203
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 5500 holds Relative Value 77 against its 30 with Balanced priorities. Check on Amazon.
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useit grades only F there
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Gaming per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core i3-14100F holds Relative Value 100 against its 40 for Gaming. Check on Amazon.
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useit grades only F there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Productivity is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Productivity, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useGraded F; Ryzen 5 9600X reaches C. Check on Amazon.
- You want strong value for Productivity specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Productivity per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 5500 holds Relative Value 59 against its 25 for Productivity. Check on Amazon.
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Performance per Watt, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useGraded F; Ryzen 5 9600X reaches A. Check on Amazon.
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value for Performance per Watt — the calculation only gets there near CAD 65, against a cheapest tracked CAD 203
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 5 5500 holds Relative Value 87 against its 26 for Performance per Watt. Check on Amazon.
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i5-9600K
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 6
- Threads
- 6
- Performance cores
- 6
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 3700 MHz
- Boost clock
- 4600 MHz
Power / Interface
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 1 MB
- L3 cache
- 9 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2018
- Manufacturer part number
- BX80684I59600K
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-11-07–2026-11-09
What to check in your build
LGA 1151 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1151. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
DDR4 memory
This processor takes DDR4. Memory of another generation does not fit the slots, even on a board with the right socket.
Cooler rated for 142 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 142 W on socket LGA 1151.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i5-9600K offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #179 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 300. AMD Ryzen 5 5500 currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i5-9600K offers B-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #149 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 300. AMD Ryzen 5 5500 currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i5-9600K offers F-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #179 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 300. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i5-9600K offers F-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #169 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 300. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon listing snapshots can participate in Value while fresh. We show Check on Amazon instead of its price; confirm the current price and availability at the store. When no current listing snapshot exists, Amazon is a search link only.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-11-07–2026-11-09 · formula cpu-value-v6.1 · facts facts-2026-11-09 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.