How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 scores 31.3/100 overall; Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100. AMD Ryzen 5 2600 wins 7 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-12100 wins 13.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the Intel Core i3-12100?

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 advantages: Stronger gaming score: 41 vs 36; 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher threads: 12 vs 8; 33% higher L3 cache: 16 MB vs 12 MB. Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 23; 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB; 80% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,140; 71% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 980; 67% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 3 MB; Lower launch price: $122 vs $199.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 or Intel Core i3-12100?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $199 for the AMD Ryzen 5 2600.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs Intel Core i3-12100

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 2600

$199

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

23.2Single-core55.3

31.6Multi-core34.2

40.5Gaming36

7 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 260013 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 31.3, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+32) and Multi-core (+3). AMD Ryzen 5 2600 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 2600

Stronger gaming score: 41 vs 36
50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher threads: 12 vs 8
33% higher L3 cache: 16 MB vs 12 MB

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100

Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 23
100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
80% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,140
71% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 980
67% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 3 MB
Lower launch price: $122 vs $199

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 2600	Intel Core i3-12100
Announced	2018	2022
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
Process	12 nm	10 nm+17%
Base TDP	65 W	60 W+8%
Max turbo power	88 W	89 W+1%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 2600	Intel Core i3-12100
Cores	6+50%	4
Performance cores	6+50%	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12+50%	8
Base clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	3.9 GHz	4.3 GHz+10%
L2 cache	3 MB	5 MB+67%
L3 cache	16 MB+33%	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 2600	Intel Core i3-12100
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 730
iGPU clock	—	1,400 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 2600	Intel Core i3-12100
Memory support	DDR4-2933	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	64 GB	128 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 2600	Intel Core i3-12100
PCIe version	3	5+67%
CPU PCIe lanes	24+20%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 2600	Intel Core i3-12100
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,140Top 90%	2,050+80%Top 36%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	5,300Top 72%	6,700+26%Top 60%
Cinebench R23 (single)	980Top 88%	1,680+71%Top 35%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	7,400Top 72%	8,700+18%Top 66%
PassMark	13,400Top 69%	14,000+4%Top 66%

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