How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100 overall; Intel Core i5-3470 scores 21.4/100. Intel Core i3-12100 wins 17 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-3470 wins 0.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-12100 and the Intel Core i5-3470?

Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 20; Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 22; Stronger gaming score: 36 vs 22; 400% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 1 MB; 300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB; Lower launch price: $122 vs $184.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-12100 or Intel Core i5-3470?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $184 for the Intel Core i5-3470.

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i5-3470

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

Intel

Intel Core i5-3470

$184

55.3Single-core20

34.2Multi-core22

36Gaming21.9

17 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121000 spec wins — Intel Core i5-3470

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 21.4, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+35) and gaming (+14). Intel Core i5-3470 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 20
Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 22
Stronger gaming score: 36 vs 22
400% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 1 MB
300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB
Lower launch price: $122 vs $184

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-3470

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

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-3470
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-3470
Announced	2022	2012
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1155
Process	10 nm+55%	22 nm
Base TDP	60 W+22%	77 W
Max turbo power	89 W	—
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-3470
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-3470
Cores	4	4
Performance cores	4	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	8+100%	4
Base clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz+19%	3.6 GHz
L2 cache	5 MB+400%	1 MB
L3 cache	12 MB+100%	6 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-3470
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-3470
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 730	Intel HD Graphics 2500
iGPU clock	1,400 MHz+27%	1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-3470
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-3470
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR3-1600
Max memory	128 GB+300%	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-3470
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-3470
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20+25%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i5-3470
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i5-3470
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,050+116%Top 36%	950Top 97%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,700+168%Top 60%	2,500Top 97%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,680+102%Top 35%	830Top 98%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	8,700+190%Top 66%	3,000Top 98%
PassMark	14,000+180%Top 66%	5,000Top 97%

Related comparisons

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 i5-3470vs AMD Ryzen 3 1200VS Intel Core i5-3470vs Intel Core i5-4590VS Intel Core i5-3470vs Intel Core i3-3220VS Intel Core i5-3470vs Intel Core i3-2120VS

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