i3-12100F vs i7-6900K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
+2.7%
Core i3-12100F
2022
4 cores / 8 threads, 58 Watt
8.87

Core i7-6900K outperforms Core i3-12100F by a minimal 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking842867
Place by popularitynot in top-1005
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.04no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency6.1614.47
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads168
Base clock speed3.2 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.3 GHz
L1 cache32 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die sizeno data163 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt58 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+-
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data76.8 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4020

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.

i7-6900K 9.11
+2.7%
i3-12100F 8.87

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-6900K 14470
+2.7%
i3-12100F 14096

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-6900K 1286
i3-12100F 2238
+74%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-6900K 7200
i3-12100F 7455
+3.5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 8.87
Physical cores 8 4
Threads 16 8
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 58 Watt

i7-6900K has a 2.7% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i3-12100F, on the other hand, has 141.4% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Core i3-12100F, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
Intel Core i3-12100F
Core i3-12100F

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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