Intel Core i5-11600 vs 11600K Performance

I've been looking into getting a new CPU for my PC build and came across the Intel Core i5-11600 and i5-11600K. I'm curious if anyone has experience with these or can provide some insight on which one would be better for gaming. Any recommendations?

Hey @grizzo500, both CPUs are pretty similar, but the main differences are that the 11600K has a higher base and single-core turbo frequency, supports PCIe 4.0, and is overclockable. I've been using the i5-11600 for a while now, and it's worked great for gaming and general use. The TechReviewer article Intel Core i5-11600K vs. Intel Core i5-11600 provides a detailed comparison of these two CPUs, which might help you make your decision.

Thanks @Mindful95. That helps a lot! I'm leaning more towards the i5-11600K because of the higher frequencies and overclocking support. What about the PCIe 4.0 support? Is that significant for gaming?

Hey @grizzo500, I've used both CPUs, and the i5-11600K does offer better performance overall due to its higher clock speeds. The PCIe 4.0 support is a plus because it allows for faster data transfer rates between your CPU and other components like SSDs and GPUs. This can result in improved gaming performance, especially if you're using high-end components that take advantage of PCIe 4.0.

That's good to know @abergrichard. I'm planning on building a PC with an RTX 3080 GPU, so faster data transfer rates might be beneficial for my setup. Any other tips?

@grizzo500, since you're going with the i5-11600K and have an RTX 3080, make sure to monitor your temperatures during gaming sessions. The higher frequencies can generate more heat, so having a good cooling solution is important. Additionally, if you're interested in future upgrades, the i5-11600K's overclocking support gives you more flexibility for tweaking and improving performance.

Great advice @Mindful95. Thanks everyone for your input. I'll definitely keep that in mind as I build my PC.

I've been following this discussion, and I'm also looking to upgrade my CPU. I was considering the i5-11600K but wasn't sure if it would be worth the extra money over the 11600. Based on your experiences, do you think the additional features are worth it?

Hi @DylanOzanich, the decision ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget. The i5-11600K does offer better performance due to its higher clock speeds and PCIe 4.0 support. However, if your current system is already capable and you don't need the extra horsepower, the i5-11600 might be sufficient for your needs. It's always good to read multiple reviews and compare different CPUs before making a decision.

@DylanOzanich, another thing to consider is the future of PCIe 4.0. While it may not be widely adopted yet, it could become more common in the coming years as hardware evolves. If you're looking to build for the long haul, investing in a CPU with PCIe 4.0 support might be worthwhile.

Hey @abergrichard and @Mindful95, one last question before I dive into my research again. Are there any specific games that benefit more from the higher clock speeds of the i5-11600K?

@grizzo500, games that are CPU-intensive, such as those with complex physics or large open-world environments, tend to benefit more from higher clock speeds. These include titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, The Witcher 3, and Fallout 76. If you plan on playing a mix of both CPU and GPU-intensive games, the i5-11600K's higher clock speeds will provide better performance overall.

Thanks for all the information everyone. I'll definitely keep this in mind as I continue my research. Time to dive back into the world of CPUs!