How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100 overall; Intel Core i7-5960X scores 32.3/100. Intel Core i3-12100 wins 13 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-5960X wins 8.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-12100 and the Intel Core i7-5960X?

Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger single-core score: 55 vs 21; 150% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB; 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB; 99% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,030; 93% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 870; Lower launch price: $122 vs $999. Intel Core i7-5960X advantages: 100% higher cores: 8 vs 4; 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4; 100% higher threads: 16 vs 8; 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2; 100% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 20.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-12100 or Intel Core i7-5960X?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $999 for the Intel Core i7-5960X.

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i7-5960X

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

Intel

Intel Core i7-5960X

$999

55.3Single-core20.5

34.2Multi-core34.1

36Gamingspec-based43.4

13 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121008 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+35) and multi-core (+0). Intel Core i7-5960X 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
150% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB
100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
99% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,030
93% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 870
Lower launch price: $122 vs $999

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X

100% higher cores: 8 vs 4
100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
100% higher threads: 16 vs 8
100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
100% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 20

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5960X
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 i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5960X
Cores	4	8+100%
Performance cores	4	8+100%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	8	16+100%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz+23%	3.5 GHz
L2 cache	5 MB+150%	2 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	20 MB+67%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5960X
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 730	—
iGPU clock	1,400 MHz	—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5960X
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 i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5960X
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20	40+100%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-5960X
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,050+99%Top 49%	1,030Bottom 5%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,700+10%Bottom 33%	6,100Bottom 28%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,680+93%Top 47%	870Bottom 4%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	8,700+5%Bottom 29%	8,300Bottom 27%
PassMark	14,000Bottom 24%	15,800+13%Bottom 28%

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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 i3-13100FVS Intel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400FVS Intel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-9600KVS Intel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400VS Intel Core i7-5960Xvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VS

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