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Intel Core i3-12100F vs Intel Core i5-6600K

WINNER
Intel Core i3-12100F
41.8Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i5-6600K
25.5Inno Score
58.4Single-core28.4
34Multi-core24.5
36Gamingspec-based23.8
15 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100F2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-6600K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100F wins this desktop processor face-off, 41.8 to 25.5, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+30) and multi-core (+10). Intel Core i5-6600K 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: 58 vs 28
  • Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 25
  • 400% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 1 MB
  • 121% higher PassMark: 13,954 vs 6,311
  • 115% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 8,700 vs 4,050
  • Lower launch price: $97 vs $242

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6600K

  • Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-6600K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100FIntel Core i5-6600K
Announced20222015
SocketLGA1700LGA1151
Process10 nm+29%14 nm
Base TDP58 W+36%91 W
Max turbo power89 W—
Unlocked multiplierNoYes
Cooler includedYesNo

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-6600K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100FIntel Core i5-6600K
Cores44
Performance cores44
Efficiency cores00
Threads8+100%4
Base clock3.3 GHz3.5 GHz+6%
Boost clock4.3 GHz+10%3.9 GHz
L2 cache5 MB+400%1 MB
L3 cache12 MB+100%6 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-6600K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100FIntel Core i5-6600K
iGPU—Intel HD Graphics 530
iGPU clock—1,150 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-6600K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100FIntel Core i5-6600K
Memory supportDDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600
Max memory128 GB+100%64 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-6600K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100FIntel Core i5-6600K
PCIe version5+67%3
CPU PCIe lanes20+25%16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i5-6600K
SpecIntel Core i3-12100FIntel Core i5-6600K
Cinebench R23 (single)1,680+51%Bottom 50%1,110Bottom 16%
Cinebench R23 (multi)8,700+115%Bottom 24%4,050Bottom 7%
PassMark13,954+121%Bottom 27%6,311Bottom 7%
PassMark (single thread)3,432+48%Top 47%2,314Bottom 14%
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