How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-14100F scores 45.7/100 overall; Intel Core i5-12600K scores 55.4/100. Intel Core i3-14100F wins 5 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-12600K wins 12.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-14100F and the Intel Core i5-12600K?

Intel Core i3-14100F advantages: 54% lower Base TDP: 58 W vs 125 W; 50% higher Max memory: 192 GB vs 128 GB; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $109 vs $318. Intel Core i5-12600K advantages: Stronger multi-core score: 51 vs 36; 150% higher cores: 10 vs 4; 100% higher threads: 16 vs 8; 90% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 5 MB; 90% higher PassMark: 27,501 vs 14,500.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-14100F or Intel Core i5-12600K?

Intel Core i3-14100F launched cheaper at $109, versus $318 for the Intel Core i5-12600K.

Intel Core i3-14100F vs Intel Core i5-12600K

Intel

Intel Core i3-14100F

$109

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-12600K

$318

65.8Single-core65.2

36.4Multi-core50.8

38.5Gamingspec-based52.1

5 spec wins — Intel Core i3-14100F12 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.4 to 45.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+14). Intel Core i3-14100F 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 i3-14100F

54% lower Base TDP: 58 W vs 125 W
50% higher Max memory: 192 GB vs 128 GB
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $109 vs $318

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K

Stronger multi-core score: 51 vs 36
150% higher cores: 10 vs 4
100% higher threads: 16 vs 8
90% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 5 MB
90% higher PassMark: 27,501 vs 14,500

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-14100F versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-14100F	Intel Core i5-12600K
Announced	2024	2021
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Base TDP	58 W+54%	125 W
Max turbo power	110 W	150 W+36%
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-14100F versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-14100F	Intel Core i5-12600K
Cores	4	10+150%
Performance cores	4	6+50%
Efficiency cores	0	4
Threads	8	16+100%
Base clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+6%
Boost clock	4.7 GHz	4.9 GHz+4%
L2 cache	5 MB	10 MB+90%
L3 cache	12 MB	20 MB+67%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-14100F versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-14100F	Intel Core i5-12600K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock	—	1,450 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-14100F versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-14100F	Intel Core i5-12600K
Memory support	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	192 GB+50%	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-14100F versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-14100F	Intel Core i5-12600K
PCIe version	5	5
CPU PCIe lanes	20	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-14100F versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-14100F	Intel Core i5-12600K
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,450Top 40%	—
Geekbench 6 (multi)	8,600Bottom 43%	—
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,830+1%Top 36%	1,809Top 38%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,100Bottom 31%	16,878+85%Top 37%
PassMark	14,500Bottom 26%	27,501+90%Top 47%

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