How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100 overall; Intel Core i7-8700 scores 35/100. Intel Core i3-12100 wins 14 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-8700 wins 4.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-12100 and the Intel Core i7-8700?

Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 35; 233% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB; 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB; 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3; 37% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,500; Lower launch price: $122 vs $303. Intel Core i7-8700 advantages: 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 i7-8700?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $303 for the Intel Core i7-8700.

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i7-8700

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

Intel

Intel Core i7-8700

$303

55.3Single-core35.3

34.2Multi-core33.3

36Gaming37.9

14 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121004 spec wins — Intel Core i7-8700

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 35, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+20) and Multi-core (+1). Intel Core i7-8700 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 35
233% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB
100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
37% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,500
Lower launch price: $122 vs $303

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-8700

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 i7-8700
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-8700
Announced	2022	2017
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151-v2
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	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-8700
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-8700
Cores	4	6+50%
Performance cores	4	6+50%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	8	12+50%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz	4.6 GHz+7%
L2 cache	5 MB+233%	2 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-8700
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-8700
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 730	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,400 MHz+17%	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-8700
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-8700
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB+100%	64 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-8700
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-8700
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20+25%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i7-8700
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i7-8700
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,050+37%Top 36%	1,500Top 65%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,700+5%Top 60%	6,400Top 65%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,680+37%Top 35%	1,230Top 68%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	8,700+4%Top 66%	8,400Top 68%
PassMark	14,000+8%Top 66%	13,000Top 71%

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