Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i9-9900
55.3Single-core40.1
33.6Multi-core36.2
36Gamingspec-based47.4
7 spec wins — Intel Core i3-121005 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Intel Core i3-12100 scores 40.7 against 40.1 for Intel Core i9-9900. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i3-12100 edges ahead in single-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100
- Stronger single-core score: 55 vs 40
- 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
- 29% lower process: 10 nm vs 14 nm
- 25% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 20 vs 16
- 16% higher PassMark (single thread): 3,243 vs 2,795
- Lower launch price: $122 vs $439
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900
- 100% higher cores: 8 vs 4
- 100% higher threads: 16 vs 8
- 33% higher L3 cache: 16 MB vs 12 MB
- 30% higher PassMark: 16,276 vs 12,520
- 16% higher Boost clock: 5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
General
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i9-9900 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2019 |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1151 |
| 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 i9-9900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Performance cores | 4 | — |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | — |
| Threads | 8 | 16+100% |
| Base clock | 3.3 GHz+6% | 3.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.3 GHz | 5 GHz+16% |
| L2 cache | 5 MB | — |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 16 MB+33% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i9-9900 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 730 | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | 1,400 MHz | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i9-9900 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i9-9900 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i9-9900 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 16,276+30%Bottom 35% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 3,243+16%Bottom 47% | 2,795Bottom 34% |
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