Better Value
For those seeking a good balance between price and performance, the Core i5-10600K is one of the best processors from Intel. It's a little slower compared to the Core i7-10700K, but you still get one amazing CPU for the price.
For
- Six cores
- Hyperthreading
- More affordable
Against
- Fewer cores
- Slightly worse performance
- No PCIe 4.0
More Powerful
Intel's Core i7-10700K is the 10th Gen processor from Intel designed explicitly with gamers and content creators in mind. It has more cores and threads than the Core i5-10600K, resulting in better overall performance.
For
- Eight cores
- Hyperthreading
- Slightly better performance
- Two additional cores
Against
- More expensive
- No PCIe 4.0
The Intel Core i5-10600K is a better deal for most PC builds since you don't really need anything more powerful, like the Core i7-10700K, unless you plan on doing some serious gaming and/or content creation. It has everything you need for a capable PC, but if you do plan on pushing your PC harder, the Intel Core i7-10700K is available as a higher-tier pick.
Intel Core i5-10600K vs. Core i7-10700K: specs
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Intel Core i5-10600K | Intel Core i7-10700K |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Comet Lake | Comet Lake |
| Cores | 6 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 16 |
| Base speed | 4.10 GHz | 3.80 GHz |
| Boost speed | 4.80 GHz | 5.10 GHz |
| Cache | 12 MB | 16 MB |
| TDP | 125 W | 125 W |
| Launch price | $262 | $374 |
Intel Core i5-10600K vs. Core i7-10700K: Which is better?
Intel is lagging behind AMD with its 10th Gen processor range. Compared to the AMD Ryzen 3000 series, Intel simply isn't offering as much value, mostly due to the company's inability to shrink its processor manufacturing process below 14nm. AMD uses TMSC for putting together its CPUs and is currently working towards 5nm.
Intel has announced 10nm, but this will take some time to come to market. Put against AMD counterparts, both the Intel Core i5-10600K and Core i7-10700K are behind in terms of cores, threads, but not speeds and do offer slightly better performance in some cases. What the company has been able to do with 14nm is pretty impressive.
The Intel Core i5-10600K is the better pick for most people, simply because it's more affordable yet comes with six cores and 12 threads. That's more than enough for most use cases. Should you require additional performance in video editing software and games, you'll likely want to consider the Core i7-10700K.
Both processors have the same thermal design power (TDP) rating, so if you choose the Core i7, it'll not pump out more heat than the Core i5, allowing you to use the same cooling solution. As well as the additional physical cores, the 10700K comes rocking more overall cache.
Intel Core i5-10600K is the CPU for most PC builds
Intel's Core i5-10600K is a brilliant mid-tier processor. For most PC builds, you likely won't require anything more than what this CPU has to offer from Intel. The six cores, 12 threads, and exceptional single-core performance make this one compelling option for your next build.
Great performance for the price
Rocking six cores and 12 threads, thanks to Hyperthreading, the Intel Core i5-10600K is one of the best mid-tier processors you can buy right now. It's perfect for powerful PC builds.
Choose the Intel Core i7-10700K if you need more power
Sometimes you need a CPU that offers more performance, which is particularly useful for content creators and gamers, and the Intel Core i7-10700K is a killer option. It's a little more pricey than the Core i5-10600K, but you'll unlock a further two core, four threads, and more headroom for clock speeds.
For when you need a little more
Intel's Core i7-10700K is a very capable processor. If six cores aren't enough, how does eight sound? With Hyperthreading, this pushes the thread count up to 16, which is ideal for high-end gaming rigs and content workstations.
