How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-8100 scores 24/100 overall; Intel Core i5-12600K scores 55.4/100. Intel Core i3-8100 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-12600K wins 16.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-8100 and the Intel Core i5-12600K?

Intel Core i3-8100 advantages: 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $117 vs $318. Intel Core i5-12600K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 65 vs 26; Stronger multi-core score: 51 vs 24; 850% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 1 MB; 351% higher PassMark: 27,501 vs 6,100; 344% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,878 vs 3,800.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-8100 or Intel Core i5-12600K?

Intel Core i3-8100 launched cheaper at $117, versus $318 for the Intel Core i5-12600K.

Intel Core i3-8100 vs Intel Core i5-12600K

Intel

Intel Core i3-8100

$117

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-12600K

$318

26.3Single-core65.2

23.7Multi-core50.8

21.9Gamingspec-based52.1

2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-810016 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12600K wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.4 to 24, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+39) and multi-core (+27). Intel Core i3-8100 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 i3-8100

48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $117 vs $318

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K

Stronger single-core score: 65 vs 26
Stronger multi-core score: 51 vs 24
850% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 1 MB
351% higher PassMark: 27,501 vs 6,100
344% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,878 vs 3,800

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-12600K
Announced	2017	2021
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1700
Process	14 nm	10 nm+29%
Base TDP	65 W+48%	125 W
Max turbo power	—	150 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-12600K
Cores	4	10+150%
Performance cores	4	6+50%
Efficiency cores	0	4
Threads	4	16+300%
Base clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Boost clock	3.6 GHz	4.9 GHz+36%
L2 cache	1 MB	10 MB+850%
L3 cache	6 MB	20 MB+233%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-12600K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,450 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-12600K
Memory support	DDR4-2400	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	64 GB	128 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-12600K
PCIe version	3	5+67%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	20+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i5-12600K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,200Bottom 16%	—
Geekbench 6 (multi)	3,350Bottom 9%	—
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,809Top 38%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,800Bottom 8%	16,878+344%Top 37%
PassMark	6,100Bottom 7%	27,501+351%Top 47%

Related comparisons

Intel Core i3-8100vs Intel Core i5-4690KVS Intel Core i3-8100vs Intel Core i7-3770VS Intel Core i3-8100vs Intel Core i7-4770VS Intel Core i3-8100vs Intel Core i5-6500VS Intel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 9 3900XVS Intel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DVS Intel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 8700GVS Intel Core i5-12600Kvs Intel Core i5-12600KFVS

Try another matchup

Device oneDevice two