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InnoReviews

Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i9-9900K

I
41Inno Score
VS
WINNER
I
42.5Inno Score
55.3Single-core40.4
34.2Multi-core41.2
36Gaming47.4
10 spec wins — Intel Core i3-1210011 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-9900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 42.5 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+11) and Multi-core (+7). Intel Core i3-12100 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 40
  • 150% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB
  • 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
  • 37% lower Base TDP: 60 W vs 95 W
  • 31% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,280
  • Lower launch price: $122 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

  • Stronger Multi-core score: 41 vs 34
  • Stronger gaming score: 47 vs 36
  • 100% higher cores: 8 vs 4
  • 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
  • 100% higher threads: 16 vs 8

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i9-9900K
Announced20222018
SocketLGA1700LGA1151-v2
Process10 nm+29%14 nm
Base TDP60 W+37%95 W
Max turbo power89 W119 W+34%
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i9-9900K
Cores48+100%
Performance cores48+100%
Efficiency cores00
Threads816+100%
Base clock3.3 GHz3.6 GHz+9%
Boost clock4.3 GHz5 GHz+16%
L2 cache5 MB+150%2 MB
L3 cache12 MB16 MB+33%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i9-9900K
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 730Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock1,400 MHz+17%1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i9-9900K
Memory supportDDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200DDR4-2666
Max memory128 GB128 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version5+67%3
CPU PCIe lanes20+25%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100Intel Core i9-9900K
Geekbench 6 (single)2,050+19%1,720
Geekbench 6 (multi)6,7008,800+31%
Cinebench R23 (single)1,680+31%1,280
Cinebench R23 (multi)8,70012,400+43%
PassMark14,00018,600+33%

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