Intel Core i5-11600K Processor Review

If you read our review of the Core i9-11900K last week you know we were a little disappointed and based off that you might completely write-off Intel’s 11th generation Core processors. Well today we are taking a look at the more mid-range Core i5-11600K which is a 6-core, 12-thread processor with a base clock of 3.9 GHz and max Turbo Boost clock of 4.9 GHz. You also get 512KB of L3 cache per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel is pricing this chip at $262, which makes it very attractive for many builders. The big story last generation was that Intel finally enabled HyperThreading on their Core i5 chips, which you are also getting here. Will the increased IPC make them competitive against AMD? Read on as we find out!

Special thanks to Intel for providing us with the Core i5-11600K Processor to review.

Specifications

Cores: 6
Threads: 12
Processor Base Frequency: 3.90 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency: 4.90 GHz
Cache: 12 MB Intel Smart Cache
TDP: 125 W
Architecture: Rocket Lake
Process: 14nm
Socket: LGA 1200

Packaging

Intel sent us over the reviewer’s “kit” which came with both the Core i9-11900K and Core i5-11600K. It was a pretty cool box that showed off both processors.

Intel Core i9-11900K Intel Core i9-11900K Intel Core i9-11900K Intel Core i9-11900K

Obviously this is not how your i5-11600K will come, here is a picture of the retail box.

i5 11600k main

Here are some quick shots of the processor itself before we put it in our system.

Intel Core i5-11600K Intel Core i5-11600K

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