How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-12100F scores 41/100 overall; Intel Core i5-10400 scores 32.6/100. Intel Core i3-12100F wins 12 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-10400 wins 4.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-12100F and the Intel Core i5-10400?

Intel Core i3-12100F advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 30; 233% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB; 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3; 53% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,100; 47% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,390; Lower launch price: $97 vs $182. Intel Core i5-10400 advantages: 51% higher Max turbo power: 134 W vs 89 W; 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4; 50% higher threads: 12 vs 8.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-12100F or Intel Core i5-10400?

Intel Core i3-12100F launched cheaper at $97, versus $182 for the Intel Core i5-10400.

Intel Core i3-12100F vs Intel Core i5-10400

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100F

$97

Intel

Intel Core i5-10400

$182

55.3Single-core30.4

34.2Multi-core32.2

36Gaming36

12 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100F4 spec wins — Intel Core i5-10400

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100F wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 32.6, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+25) and Multi-core (+2). Intel Core i5-10400 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 i3-12100F

Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 30
233% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB
67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
53% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,100
47% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,050 vs 1,390
Lower launch price: $97 vs $182

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-10400

51% higher Max turbo power: 134 W vs 89 W
50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 4
50% higher threads: 12 vs 8

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-10400
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i5-10400
Announced	2022	2020
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
Process	10 nm+29%	14 nm
Base TDP	58 W+11%	65 W
Max turbo power	89 W	134 W+51%
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-10400
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i5-10400
Cores	4	6+50%
Performance cores	4	6+50%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	8	12+50%
Base clock	3.3 GHz+14%	2.9 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz	4.3 GHz
L2 cache	5 MB+233%	2 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-10400
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i5-10400
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,100 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-10400
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i5-10400
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-10400
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i5-10400
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20+25%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-10400
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i5-10400
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,050+47%Top 36%	1,390Top 73%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,700+16%Top 60%	5,800Top 70%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,680+53%Top 35%	1,100Top 80%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	8,700+9%Top 66%	8,000Top 71%
PassMark	14,100+12%Top 65%	12,600Top 73%

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