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Intel BX80662I56600K

Core i5-6600K

▲ 7428,977 ▼

4 Cores, 4 Threads @3.5GHz, Skylake.
Release date: Q3 2015.

Average Bench: 72.4% (375th of 1468)

more Based on 342,244 user benchmarks.  Devices: BFEBFBFF000506E3, , 0F8BFBFF000506E3, BFEBFBFF000906E9, 0000000000000000, BFEBFBFF000306D4, 1F8BFBFF000506E3, 0FABFBFF000506E3, 1FABFBFF000506E3 Models: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6600K CPU @ 3.50GHz, Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6600K CPU @ 4.40GHz, Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6600K CPU @ 2.40GHz

The Intel Core i5-6600K is based on the new "Skylake" 14nm manufacturing process. Sporting 4 physical cores with base/turbo clocks of 3.5/3.9 GHz the 6600K and its predecessor, the 4690K share the same basic configuration and disappointingly, offer similar performance. Comparing the 6600K and 6700K shows that the 6700K has faster multi and single core performance. The improved multi core performance is due to Hyperthreading which is the key differentiator for the i7-6700K. The gap in single core performance can largely be eliminated by overclocking the i5-6600K so although the stock effective speed is significantly higher on the 6700K, this gap diminishes significantly when both processors are overclocked. At a 30% discount, the 6600K is the better value gaming CPU. [Aug '15 CPUPro]

Poor: 57%Average: 72.4% Great: 85%
Gaming
Gaming 72%
Battleship
Desktop
Desktop 80%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 55%
Yacht

Popular builds with this CPU

Good average bench

The Intel Core i5-6600K averaged 27.6% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 83.3Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 110Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i5-6600K is 28%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i5-6600K performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 378Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 373Pts

Average Bench

(Based on 342,244 samples)
Rank 37572.4%
Min Avg Max
68.4 Memory 83.3 95.2
73.2 1-Core 110 136
154 2-Core 218 269
77.5% 137 Pts
Min Avg Max
238 4-Core 352 455
253 8-Core 373 476
48.1% 363 Pts
Min Avg Max
269 64-Core 378 484
23.4% 378 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
LGA1151, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 4.55 GHz (avg)
91.7% Outstanding
Memory 91.7
1-Core 139
2-Core 275
93% 169 Pts
4-Core 525
8-Core 548
71% 536 Pts
64-Core 548
34% 548 Pts
U3E1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.6 GHz (avg)
82.4% Excellent
Memory 92
1-Core 113
2-Core 225
82% 143 Pts
4-Core 419
8-Core 436
57% 427 Pts
64-Core 438
27% 438 Pts
CPUSocket, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.6 GHz (avg)
79.5% Very good
Memory 84.1
1-Core 112
2-Core 220
78% 139 Pts
4-Core 433
8-Core 433
58% 433 Pts
64-Core 433
27% 433 Pts
CPUSocket, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.5 GHz, turbo 3.6 GHz (avg)
77.3% Very good
Memory 80.9
1-Core 113
2-Core 219
77% 137 Pts
4-Core 426
8-Core 428
57% 427 Pts
64-Core 427
26% 427 Pts
342,244 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 68,995,598 CPUs tested

 Prices

If you buy via one of these links, our site may earn a commission

MSRP ≈ $243 @ launch in Aug '15
AmazonUS $1134 mins
EbayUS $20021 mins
BHPhotoUS $2506 years
Send price feedback
Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i5-6600K Builds (Compare 14,695 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 62%
Destroyer
Desktop
Desktop 83%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 49%
Yacht

Motherboard: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING - $295

CPU
Core i5-6600KIntel  $113Bench 72%, 342,244 samples3,880x
GPU
GTX 1070Nvidia  $278Bench 80%, 1,459,281 samples2,310x
GTX 1060-6GBNvidia  $117Bench 56%, 1,368,019 samples1,458x
GTX 1080Nvidia  $195Bench 102%, 1,082,454 samples1,318x
SSD
850 Evo 250GBSamsung  $100Bench 103%, 951,591 samples937x
850 Evo 500GBSamsung  $85Bench 112%, 695,664 samples821x
970 Evo Plus NVMe PCIe M.2 1TBSamsung  $100Bench 310%, 455,997 samples335x
RAM
Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GBCorsair  $40Bench 82%, 606,405 samples859x
Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GBCorsair  $40Bench 85%, 653,654 samples603x
Fury DDR4 2133 C14 2x8GBHyperX  $125Bench 73%, 59,072 samples583x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 70% - Very good Total price: $826

Popular Core i5-6600K compatible motherboards:

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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) November 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
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  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i5-6600K Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)
Code NameSkylake
Launch DateQ3'15
Processor Numberi5-6600K
# of Cores4
# of Threads4
Cache6 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsSSE4.1/4.2, AVX 2.0
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography14 nm
Recommended Price$242.00 - $243.00
Clock Speed3.5 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency3.9 GHz
Bus Speed8 GT/s DMI3
Scalability1S Only
Max TDP91 W
Thermal Solution SpecificationPCG 2015D (130W)
Product BriefLink

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics 530
Graphics Base Frequency350 MHz
Graphics OutputeDP/DP/HDMI/DVI
Wireless DisplayYes
# of Displays Supported3
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.15 GHz
Quick Sync VideoYes
InTru 3D TechYes
Clear Video HD TechYes
Intel InsiderYes
Clear Video Tech for MIDYes
Graphics Video Max Memory64 GB

Memory

Max Memory Size64 GB
Memory TypesDDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth34.1 GB/s
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision3.0
PCI Express ConfigurationsUp to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4
Max # of PCI Express Lanes16

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsYes
Secure KeyYes

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost Tech2.0
Hyper-Threading TechNo
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)Yes
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
TSX-NIYes
vPro TechNo
Identity Protection TechYes
Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)No
Small Business AdvantageYes

Package

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm
Graphics and IMC Lithography14 nm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedFCLGA1151

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
OS GuardYes
Trusted Execution TechNo

 Comments

CPUPro
Avatar level
2,119

Official site ark.intel.com/...

Skylake 6th generation Core i5 processor...

Added 9 years ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
10,034

Liked (edit your comment) Add link

2 months ago.

Comment 

Great overclocker very stable—Nov '15

CAN-User
Avatar level
5,080

Terrible

6 months ago.

Comment 

It's a beast. Didn't even have the chance to overclock it yet! It's gonna be insane!—Oct '15

ROU-User
Avatar level
4,749

Poor

7 months ago.

i have one and he is very good

ESP-User
Avatar level
3,813

Excellent

3 years ago.

http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/4719152 Hi guys, I have a pretty bad performance with this processor even when i've been using it for months without problems, i dont know why it is so bad right now. Do you have some clue why is this happening?

PAK-User
Avatar level
3,452

Poor

8 months ago.

It very good gaiming processor

CZE-User
Avatar level
3,414

Terrible

2 months ago.

I have this CPU in my PC with Radeon RX 580... ...I have this CPU in OC.: 4,5 GHz and I dont have problem with new games, i love this procesor, low temperature and high fps...

GRC-User
Avatar level
3,199

Terrible

2 years ago.

I was expecting something more good with 91 wattages... I prefer the 6500

BGR-User
Avatar level
2,940

Excellent

2 years ago.

Horrible at base clocks, extremely underwhelming and you could do with much better for the money. Probably great if you can OC though.

SRB-User
Avatar level
2,864

Good

8 months ago.

Man i've got it since summer of 2016 and it treats me right

CPUPro
Avatar level
2,119

Outstanding

9 years ago.

yaabalfazl
Avatar level
92

Terrible

7 years ago.

it low for 4k

moonhi123
Avatar level
42

Terrible

5 years ago.

좆망

Allik
Avatar level
24

Outstanding

8 years ago.

I have just upgraded from a gaming laptop (MSI GS70 2PE) to a Desktop PC. Such a good decision. I choosed the i5-6600K for it's price-performance factor (no one is surprised here). I paid less then €200 (bought with company, no TVA). It is overclocked at 4,5Ghz and cooled by a Corsair H80i V2. The average temp is 28°C and the highest temp I have seen was 58°C. All Adobe software open in 2 seconds. After effects never lags. I love it.

PCmaster
Avatar level
10

Excellent

7 years ago.

very good for OC

3dmark
Avatar level
10

Good

5 years ago.

Great IPC and at the time was the best gaming CPU available. Dinged a star as hyperthreading should have been a feature. Just a standard boring 4c now.

fodvapor
Avatar level
8

Outstanding

8 years ago.

The most underrated chip you can overclock!

Crezey21
Avatar level
8

Poor

6 years ago.

i mean, it overclocks, but there are a couple cpu's that are better for a lower price

VaderSS
Avatar level
6

Good

9 years ago.

I was able to overclock to 4600 without knowing much about overclocking, using simple settings in my ASRock Z170M Extreme4. Runs very cool stock, using a Noctua NH-C14S, and only about 30 degC over ambient when overclocked and working hard. Wound up being perfect for my quiet HTPC/Gaming machine. I'm leaving it stock speed for normal use, with the ability to OC if I find I need it in the future, and to tinker and play with to see how fast I can get her.

SoManyBees
Avatar level
6

Excellent

7 years ago.

A rock solid performer. Running a cheap AIO loop I feel pretty confident I can hit a voltage ceiling near thermal max and remain stable. Maybe I just won the silicon lottery but this 6600k is a barn burner.

xcale
Avatar level
6

Excellent

6 years ago.

I had a saved bench at 117% but cannot see it in the list. Curious why?

901Memphis
Avatar level
4

Outstanding

8 years ago.

Awesome performance when stock or overclocked. I am able to benchmark at 4.9 ghz, stable at 4.7 ghz w /1.375v llc level 5 on prolimatech megahalems rev c.

pucgenie
Avatar level
4

Good

2 years ago.

It worked for me.

Darsan095
Avatar level
4

Good

8 years ago.

works fine

KarlS
Avatar level
4

Excellent

7 years ago.

Nice low power taking, overclocks very well even on air cooler with single fan without having high temps(60-70c while heavy gaming). Got mine to 4.5GHz at 1.35v(will tinker bit more to get voltage lower). 10/10 chip for just gaming. Love it

Seyed
Avatar level
2

Outstanding

9 years ago.

When great expectations satisfied with outstanding results!

MrChogie
Avatar level
2

Outstanding

6 years ago.

This cpu is amazing, really easy to overclock too. Got mine up to 4.5ghz using an auto voltage on a sup bar motherboard and it's 109th percentile. You can pick it up for 190 on sites like Jet when you use a first purchase promo. can't recommend enough.

MistressI
Avatar level
2

Outstanding

8 years ago.

Overclocks like a beast, but doesn't have hyperthreading.

Commander_
Avatar level
2

Outstanding

8 years ago.

amazing quad core CPU. Does everything i need It to do, super smooth, got mine to 4.4GHz no problem, and this is my first overclock. Bet I could get it up to 4.6 or 4.7 if I wanted to.

venix
Avatar level
2

Excellent

6 years ago.

decent

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Intel Core i5-12400F $111Nvidia RTX 4070 $500Crucial T700 M.2 4TB $370
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