The Intel Core i3-14100 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victories in ten out of fourteen measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is the L2 cache, which is 233% larger than that found in the Intel Core i5-9600K. This substantial improvement in cache capacity provides the primary performance edge for the newer processor, allowing it to outperform the older model across the majority of the evaluated hardware metrics.

Users prioritizing modern architecture and the efficiency of a significantly larger L2 cache should select the Intel Core i3-14100. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-9600K remains the appropriate choice for those who specifically require a higher total core count, as it offers a 50% advantage in that category. Your decision should depend on whether your workload benefits more from the superior cache architecture of the newer chip or the increased core density of the older model.