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InnoReviews

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i3-8100

WINNER
I
41Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i3-8100
24Inno Score
55.3Single-core26.3
34.2Multi-core23.7
36Gaming21.9
15 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121001 spec wins — Intel Core i3-8100

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 24, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+29) and gaming (+14). Intel Core i3-8100 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100

  • Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 26
  • Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 24
  • Stronger gaming score: 36 vs 22
  • 400% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 1 MB
  • 130% higher PassMark: 14,000 vs 6,100

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-8100

No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-8100
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-8100
Announced20222017
SocketLGA1700LGA1151-v2
Process10 nm+29%14 nm
Base TDP60 W+8%65 W
Max turbo power89 W—
Unlocked multiplierNoNo
Cooler includedYesYes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-8100
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-8100
Cores44
Performance cores44
Efficiency cores00
Threads8+100%4
Base clock3.3 GHz3.6 GHz+9%
Boost clock4.3 GHz+19%3.6 GHz
L2 cache5 MB+400%1 MB
L3 cache12 MB+100%6 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-8100
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-8100
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 730Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock1,400 MHz+27%1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-8100
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-8100
Memory supportDDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200DDR4-2400
Max memory128 GB+100%64 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-8100
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-8100
PCIe version5+67%3
CPU PCIe lanes20+25%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i3-8100
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i3-8100
Geekbench 6 (single)2,050+71%Top 36%1,200Top 83%
Geekbench 6 (multi)6,700+100%Top 60%3,350Top 90%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,680Top 35%—
Cinebench R23 (multi)8,700+129%Top 66%3,800Top 92%
PassMark14,000+130%Top 66%6,100Top 90%

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