How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-12100F scores 41/100 overall; Intel Core i7-9700K scores 37.6/100. Intel Core i3-12100F wins 9 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-9700K wins 9.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-12100F and the Intel Core i7-9700K?

Intel Core i3-12100F advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 55 vs 39; 150% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB; 67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3; 39% lower Base TDP: 58 W vs 95 W; 34% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,250; Lower launch price: $97 vs $374. Intel Core i7-9700K advantages: Stronger gaming score: 40 vs 36; 100% higher cores: 8 vs 4; 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4; 34% higher Max turbo power: 119 W vs 89 W; 14% higher Boost clock: 4.9 GHz vs 4.3 GHz.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-12100F or Intel Core i7-9700K?

Intel Core i3-12100F launched cheaper at $97, versus $374 for the Intel Core i7-9700K.

Intel Core i3-12100F vs Intel Core i7-9700K

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100F

$97

Intel

Intel Core i7-9700K

$374

55.3Single-core39

34.2Multi-core35.5

36Gaming39.8

9 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100F9 spec wins — Intel Core i7-9700K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100F wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 37.6, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+16). Intel Core i7-9700K 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 39
150% higher L2 cache: 5 MB vs 2 MB
67% higher PCIe version: 5 vs 3
39% lower Base TDP: 58 W vs 95 W
34% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,680 vs 1,250
Lower launch price: $97 vs $374

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-9700K

Stronger gaming score: 40 vs 36
100% higher cores: 8 vs 4
100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
34% higher Max turbo power: 119 W vs 89 W
14% higher Boost clock: 4.9 GHz vs 4.3 GHz

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i7-9700K
Announced	2022	2018
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151-v2
Process	10 nm+29%	14 nm
Base TDP	58 W+39%	95 W
Max turbo power	89 W	119 W+34%
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i7-9700K
Cores	4	8+100%
Performance cores	4	8+100%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	8	8
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
Boost clock	4.3 GHz	4.9 GHz+14%
L2 cache	5 MB+150%	2 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i7-9700K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i7-9700K
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 i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i7-9700K
PCIe version	5+67%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	20+25%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-12100F versus Intel Core i7-9700K
Spec	Intel Core i3-12100F	Intel Core i7-9700K
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,050+22%Top 36%	1,680Top 53%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,700Top 60%	7,000+4%Top 57%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,680+34%Top 35%	1,250Top 66%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	8,700Top 66%	9,700+11%Top 59%
PassMark	14,100Top 65%	14,300+1%Top 64%

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