i3-12100 vs i5-12600K

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	364	889
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	44.03	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i5	no data
Power efficiency	13.20	13.53
Architecture codename	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date	4 November 2021 (3 years ago)	4 January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$289	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	10 (Deca-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	16	8
Base clock speed	3.7 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.9 GHz	4.3 GHz
Bus type	DMI 4.0	no data
Bus rate	8 × 16 GT/s	no data
Multiplier	37	no data
L1 cache	80K (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	20 MB (shared)	12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	215.25 mm2	163 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA1700	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	125 Watt	60 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
FMA	+	-
AVX	+	+
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	-	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
SIPP	+	-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	-	-
Deep Learning Boost	+	+

Security technologies

Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	+
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	+
OS Guard	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100 are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4, DDR5	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	76.805 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support	+	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card Compare	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Intel UHD Graphics 730
Quick Sync Video	+	+
Clear Video HD	+	+
Graphics max frequency	1.45 GHz	1.4 GHz
Execution Units	32	24

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

4

4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz	4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz	5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12	12
OpenGL	4.5	4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100.

PCIe version	5.0 and 4.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	20	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

---

Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	17.43	8.57
Integrated graphics card	6.16	4.16
Recency	4 November 2021	4 January 2022
Physical cores	10	4
Threads	16	8
Power consumption (TDP)	125 Watt	60 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-12600K and Core i3-12100, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---