How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100 overall; Intel Core i5-10400F scores 32.2/100. Intel Core i3-12100 wins 10 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-10400F wins 2.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-12100 and the Intel Core i5-10400F?

Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger single-core score: 55 vs 29; 233% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB; 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3; 51% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,114; 29% lower process: 10 nm vs 14 nm; Lower launch price: $122 vs $173. Intel Core i5-10400F advantages: 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher threads: 12 vs 8.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-12100 or Intel Core i5-10400F?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $173 for the Intel Core i5-10400F.

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i5-10400F

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

Intel

Intel Core i5-10400F

$173

55.3Single-core28.6

34.2Multi-core32.5

36Gamingspec-based36

10 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121002 spec wins — Intel Core i5-10400F

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 32.2, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+27) and multi-core (+2). Intel Core i5-10400F 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 29
233% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB
67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
51% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,114
29% lower process: 10 nm vs 14 nm
Lower launch price: $122 vs $173

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-10400F

50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher threads: 12 vs 8

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-10400F
Announced	2022	2020
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
Process	10 nm+29%	14 nm
Base TDP	60 W+8%	65 W
Max turbo power	89 W	—
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	—

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-10400F
Cores	4	6+50%
Performance cores	4	—
Efficiency cores	0	—
Threads	8	12+50%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+14%	2.9 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz	4.3 GHz
L2 cache	5 MB+233%	2 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-10400F
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 730	—
iGPU clock	1,400 MHz	—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-10400F
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-10400F
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20+25%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-10400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-10400F
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,050Top 48%	—
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,700Bottom 34%	—
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,680+51%Top 45%	1,114Bottom 19%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	8,700+6%Bottom 29%	8,219Bottom 27%
PassMark	14,000+16%Bottom 24%	12,094Bottom 19%

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