Intel Core i5-8600K vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600
These two processors score identically for gaming. Core count, power draw and platform cost decide it.
| Specification | Intel Core i5-8600K | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 55/100 | 55/100 |
| Tier | C | C |
| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |
| Cores | 6 | 6 |
| Threads | 6 | 12 |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 95 W | 65 W |
| Release year | 2017 | 2019 |
Which should you buy?
Gaming performance is a tie between these two, so the decision comes down to the factors below. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 runs 30W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.