How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100 overall; Intel Core i5-11400F scores 37.2/100. Intel Core i3-12100 wins 9 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-11400F wins 7.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-12100 and the Intel Core i5-11400F?

Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 39; 67% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 3 MB; 31% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,560; 29% lower process: 10 nm vs 14 nm; 27% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz; Lower launch price: $122 vs $157. Intel Core i5-11400F advantages: 73% higher Max turbo power: 154 W vs 89 W; 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher threads: 12 vs 8; 21% higher PassMark: 17,000 vs 14,000.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-12100 or Intel Core i5-11400F?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $157 for the Intel Core i5-11400F.

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i5-11400F

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

Intel

Intel Core i5-11400F

$157

55.3Single-core38.6

34.2Multi-core36.5

36Gaming36.7

9 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121007 spec wins — Intel Core i5-11400F

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 37.2, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+17). Intel Core i5-11400F 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 39
67% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 3 MB
31% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,560
29% lower process: 10 nm vs 14 nm
27% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz
Lower launch price: $122 vs $157

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-11400F

73% higher Max turbo power: 154 W vs 89 W
50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher threads: 12 vs 8
21% higher PassMark: 17,000 vs 14,000

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-11400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-11400F
Announced	2022	2021
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
Process	10 nm+29%	14 nm
Base TDP	60 W+8%	65 W
Max turbo power	89 W	154 W+73%
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-11400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-11400F
Cores	4	6+50%
Performance cores	4	6+50%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	8	12+50%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+27%	2.6 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz	4.4 GHz+2%
L2 cache	5 MB+67%	3 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-11400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-11400F
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 730	—
iGPU clock	1,400 MHz	—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-11400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-11400F
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-11400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-11400F
PCIe version	5+25%	4
CPU PCIe lanes	20	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-11400F
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-11400F
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,050+31%Top 36%	1,560Top 58%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,700+6%Top 60%	6,300Top 66%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,680+26%Top 35%	1,330Top 54%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	8,700Top 66%	10,200+17%Top 55%
PassMark	14,000Top 66%	17,000+21%Top 58%

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Intel Core i3-12100vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500VS Intel Core i3-12100vs Intel Core i3-12100FVS Intel Core i3-12100vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600VS Intel Core i3-12100vs Intel Core i5-11600KVS Intel Core i5-11400Fvs Intel Core i5-11400VS Intel Core i5-11400Fvs Intel Core i7-9700KVS Intel Core i5-11400Fvs Intel Core i7-8700KVS Intel Core i5-11400Fvs Intel Core i5-10600KVS

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