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Intel Core i5-8600K

Intel Core i5-8600K: Review and Relevance in 2025

April 2025

Key Specifications: Coffee Lake in Detail

The Intel Core i5-8600K processor, released in 2017, remains an interesting specimen for budget and mid-range builds even eight years later. Its Coffee Lake architecture is based on a 14-nm process technology, which looks outdated in 2025 compared to AMD and Intel's 5-nm and 7-nm chips. However, for its age, it demonstrates commendable performance:

- 6 cores/6 threads without Hyper-Threading support.

- Base frequency — 3.6 GHz, maximum turbo frequency — 4.3 GHz.

- 9 MB L3 cache and a TDP of 95W.

- Integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 630.

Key Features:

- Unlocked multiplier — the main advantage for enthusiasts. Even in 2025, stable overclocks of up to 4.8–5.0 GHz can be achieved on air cooling.

- Supports DDR4-2666 memory (officially), but with Z-series chipsets, frequencies can be increased.

- Compatible with older systems using LGA 1151 v2.

Geolocation in Benchmarks (Geekbench 6):

- Single-Core: 1523 — on par with Ryzen 5 5500 (2022).

- Multi-Core: 5536 — close to Ryzen 5 2600 (2018).

Compatible Motherboards: Sockets and Chipsets

The processor uses the LGA 1151 v2 socket, which is not compatible with the first version (e.g., motherboards for Intel's 6th generation). The main chipsets include:

- Z370/Z390 — for overclocking (supports XMP profiles, multiplier).

- B360/H370 — basic boards without overclocking.

- H310 — budget option for office builds.

Examples of Motherboards in 2025:

- ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E (price: $120–150) — popular among overclockers.

- MSI B360M Mortar ($60–80) — for stable systems without upgrades.

Important: Many new motherboards for LGA 1151 have been discontinued, but they can be found on sales or through resellers. Before purchasing, check for 9th-generation support (requires BIOS update).

Memory: DDR4 and Optimization

The i5-8600K supports DDR4 with a maximum frequency of 2666 MHz (on H/B-series chipsets). On Z370/Z390, memory can be overclocked to 3200–3600 MHz, which improves FPS in games by 5–10%.

Recommendations:

- For gaming: 2x8 GB DDR4-3200 (e.g., Corsair Vengeance LPX, $50–70).

- For work: 32 GB DDR4-2666 (Crucial Ballistix, $90–120).

Limitations: DDR5 is not supported — this is a major downside for upgrades in 2025.

Power Supply: Power Calculation

With a TDP of 95W and overclocking, CPU consumption reaches 130–150W. Considering a discrete graphics card (e.g., RTX 3060):

- Minimum: 500W (80+ Bronze).

- Recommended: 650W (80+ Gold) for headroom.

Examples of PSUs:

- Corsair CX650M ($70–90) — a balance of price and quality.

- Seasonic Focus GX-550 ($80–100) — for systems without extreme overclocking.

Tip: Don't skimp on the PSU — low-quality units can shorten the lifespan of components.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Price: New units in 2025 cost $150–180, cheaper than the Ryzen 5 7600 ($250).

2. Overclocking Potential: Offers up to 20% performance gain in single-threaded tasks.

3. Energy Efficiency: Compared to modern 16-core monsters, a TDP of 95W looks modest.

Cons:

1. No Hyper-Threading: In multi-threaded tasks (rendering, streaming), it lags behind Ryzen 5 2600/3600.

2. Outdated Process Technology: 14nm vs. 5–7nm from competitors.

3. No PCIe 4.0/5.0: Limits speed for NVMe drives and graphics cards.

Use Cases

1. Gaming: Paired with an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT, the CPU can run Cyberpunk 2077 on medium settings (1080p, 60 FPS). However, in CPU-intensive projects (Starfield, Cities: Skylines II), performance drops may occur due to just 6 threads.

2. Work Tasks: Suitable for office applications, light video editing (1080p), and programming.

3. Multimedia: Integrated UHD 630 graphics can decode 4K H.265, but is unsuitable for gaming.

Real Experience: Users report that in 2025, the i5-8600K performs at PS5 level for gaming when using DLSS/FSR.

Comparison with Competitors

1. AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (2018): 6/12 threads, but weaker in single-threaded tasks. Price: $100–130 (new). Better for editing.

2. Intel Core i3-13100F (2023): 4/8 threads, higher IPC, but fewer cores. Price: $120. A choice for those valuing a modern platform.

3. Ryzen 5 5500 (2022): 6/12 threads, 7nm. Gaming performance is similar, but with PCIe 4.0 support. Price: $140.

Conclusion: The i5-8600K is relevant only if a cheap motherboard and DDR4 are available.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Cooling: For overclocking, get tower coolers (DeepCool AK620, $60) or a 240mm AIO cooler.

2. Case: At least 2 intake fans. Example — NZXT H510 Flow ($90).

3. Storage: SSD NVMe is a must (Samsung 980, 1TB, $80) — even on PCIe 3.0 the difference versus HDD is huge.

Warning: Don’t install powerful GPUs like the RTX 4080 — the CPU will become a bottleneck.

Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the i5-8600K in 2025?

1. Budget Gamers: If you have an old LGA 1151 board and DDR4, upgrading to the i5-8600K is more advantageous than switching to a new platform.

2. Office PC Owners: Replacing old Core i3/i5 7th generation units will provide multitasking gains.

3. Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy experimenting with overclocking will appreciate the chip's potential.

Alternative: If your budget allows $250–300, consider upgrading to a Ryzen 5 7600 or Core i5-13400F for future upgrade potential.

Conclusion

The Intel Core i5-8600K in 2025 is a niche product. It won't be suitable for top-tier gaming or heavy rendering but will remain a viable option for those who value the balance of price and performance in older, reliable systems.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

October 2017

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i5-8600K

Code Name

Coffee Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

3.60 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

4.30 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

4.30 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

L3 Cache

9 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCLGA1151

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

14 nm

TDP

95 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR4-2666

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

128 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

8 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

41.6 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

Intel® UHD Graphics 630

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.15 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@24Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

4096x2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

9 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Boot Guard

Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel Clear Video Technology

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.5

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1523

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

5536

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1206

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

5376

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2596

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

10205

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Ryzen 7 4700G

1643 +7.9%

Xeon W-3345

1575 +3.4%

Core i5-8600K

1523

Ryzen 3 4300GE

1472 -3.3%

Xeon Platinum 8268

1415 -7.1%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i9-9980HK

6285 +13.5%

Xeon D-2187NT

5853 +5.7%

Core i5-8600K

5536

Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U

5237 -5.4%

Core i7-6700K

4900 -11.5%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i3-1215UE

1290 +7%

Core i7-10700

1246 +3.3%

Core i5-8600K

1206

Core i5-9600

1174 -2.7%

Core i9-10900X X-series

1144 -5.1%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Core i3-12300T

5932 +10.3%

Xeon Gold 6230R

5672 +5.5%

Core i5-8600K

5376

Core i7-8850H

5095 -5.2%

Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U

4846 -9.9%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon W-2150B

2682 +3.3%

Core i5-10400H

2645 +1.9%

Core i5-8600K

2596

Xeon W-2140B

2557 -1.5%

Core i7-1185GRE

2522 -2.9%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Xeon E-2226G

11073 +8.5%

Xeon E5-2660 v2

10590 +3.8%

Core i5-8600K

10205

Core i7-10710U

9713 -4.8%

Ryzen 5 3400G

9281 -9.1%

Intel Core i5-8600K