How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-8100 scores 24/100 overall; Intel Core i9-12900K scores 69.3/100. Intel Core i3-8100 wins 3 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-12900K wins 17.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-8100 and the Intel Core i9-12900K?

Intel Core i3-8100 advantages: 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W; 12% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $117 vs $648. Intel Core i9-12900K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 26; Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 24; 1300% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 1 MB; 590% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,229 vs 3,800; 574% higher PassMark: 41,103 vs 6,100.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-8100 or Intel Core i9-12900K?

Intel Core i3-8100 launched cheaper at $117, versus $648 for the Intel Core i9-12900K.

Intel Core i3-8100 vs Intel Core i9-12900K

Intel

Intel Core i3-8100

$117

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-12900K

$648

26.3Single-core72.2

23.7Multi-core70.4

21.9Gamingspec-based63.8

3 spec wins — Intel Core i3-810017 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 24, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+47) and single-core (+46). 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
12% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $117 vs $648

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K

Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 26
Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 24
1300% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 1 MB
590% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,229 vs 3,800
574% higher PassMark: 41,103 vs 6,100

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i9-12900K
Announced	2017	2021
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1700
Process	14 nm	10 nm+29%
Base TDP	65 W+48%	125 W
Max turbo power	—	241 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i9-12900K
Cores	4	16+300%
Performance cores	4	8+100%
Efficiency cores	0	8
Threads	4	24+500%
Base clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Boost clock	3.6 GHz	5.2 GHz+44%
L2 cache	1 MB	14 MB+1300%
L3 cache	6 MB	30 MB+400%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i9-12900K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,550 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i9-12900K
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 i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i9-12900K
PCIe version	3	5+67%
CPU PCIe lanes	16	20+25%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i9-12900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,200Bottom 16%	2,715+126%Top 32%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	3,350Bottom 9%	17,450+421%Top 24%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,903Top 30%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,800Bottom 8%	26,229+590%Top 19%
PassMark	6,100Bottom 7%	41,103+574%Top 24%

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