Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i5-11500
55.3Single-core48.6
33.6Multi-core37.2
36Gamingspec-based37.9
6 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121004 spec wins — Intel Core i5-11500
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Intel Core i3-12100 scores 40.7 against 40.8 for Intel Core i5-11500. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i5-11500 edges ahead in multi-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100
- Stronger single-core score: 55 vs 49
- 29% lower process: 10 nm vs 14 nm
- 25% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 4
- 22% higher Base clock: 3.3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz
- Lower launch price: $122 vs $211
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-11500
- Stronger multi-core score: 37 vs 34
- 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
- 50% higher threads: 12 vs 8
- 36% higher PassMark: 17,050 vs 12,520
General
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i5-11500 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2021 |
| 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
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i5-11500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 6+50% |
| Performance cores | 4 | — |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | — |
| Threads | 8 | 12+50% |
| Base clock | 3.3 GHz+22% | 2.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.6 GHz+7% |
| L2 cache | 5 MB | — |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i5-11500 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 730 | Intel UHD Graphics 750 |
| iGPU clock | 1,400 MHz | 1,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i5-11500 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i5-11500 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+25% | 4 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 20 | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i5-11500 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,050Top 49% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,700Bottom 33% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,680Top 49% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,700Bottom 26% | — |
| PassMark | 12,520Bottom 22% | 17,050+36%Bottom 37% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 3,243+4%Bottom 47% | 3,130Bottom 45% |
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