How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100 overall; Intel Core i7-5930K scores 29.6/100. Intel Core i3-12100 wins 13 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-5930K wins 8.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-12100 and the Intel Core i7-5930K?

Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 21; Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 31; 233% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB; 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB; 95% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,050; Lower launch price: $122 vs $583. Intel Core i7-5930K advantages: 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2; 100% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 20; 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher threads: 12 vs 8.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-12100 or Intel Core i7-5930K?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $583 for the Intel Core i7-5930K.

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i7-5930K

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

Intel

Intel Core i7-5930K

$583

55.3Single-core20.9

34.2Multi-core30.8

36Gaming37.7

13 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121008 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5930K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 29.6, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+34) and Multi-core (+3). Intel Core i7-5930K 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 21
Stronger Multi-core score: 34 vs 31
233% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB
100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
95% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,050
Lower launch price: $122 vs $583

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5930K

100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
100% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 20
50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher threads: 12 vs 8

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5930K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5930K
Announced	2022	2014
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011-v3
Process	10 nm+55%	22 nm
Base TDP	60 W+57%	140 W
Max turbo power	89 W	—
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5930K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5930K
Cores	4	6+50%
Performance cores	4	6+50%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	8	12+50%
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
Boost clock	4.3 GHz+16%	3.7 GHz
L2 cache	5 MB+233%	2 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	15 MB+25%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5930K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5930K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 730	—
iGPU clock	1,400 MHz	—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5930K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5930K
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR4-2133
Max memory	128 GB+100%	64 GB
Memory channels	2	4+100%

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5930K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5930K
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20	40+100%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5930K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5930K
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,050+95%Top 36%	1,050Top 93%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,700+33%Top 60%	5,050Top 75%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,680+83%Top 35%	920Top 93%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	8,700+28%Top 66%	6,800Top 73%
PassMark	14,000+5%Top 66%	13,300Top 70%

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