Average Bench: 94.1% (135th of 1468)

Based on 11,860 user benchmarks.  Device: BFEBFBFF00090675 Model: 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-12100F

Gaming is more accessible with the i3-12100F: Intel’s entry level Alder Lake desktop processor. Higher end Alder Lake processors feature a combination of performance and efficiency cores, however, the 12100F contains just four hyper-threaded Golden Cove performance cores. It has a max boost frequency of 4.3 GHz, 12 MB of L3 cache and a 58W TDP. The 12100F is keenly priced at around $130 USD and needs to be paired with a new chipset such as the B660. Only users with discrete GPUs should consider “F” models as they do not have integrated graphics. Whilst a budget PC built around the 12100F represents unbeatable value for money, the 6-core i5-12400F, with 50% stronger multi-core, is a better option for gamers with 3060+ tier GPUs. AMD do not have any CPUs competing in this price segment. Entry level gamers, who cannot find reasonably priced discrete GPUs, could consider the similarly performing Ryzen 5 5600G APU which has integrated RX Vega graphics that are around three times faster than Intel's UHD 730. [Jan '22 CPUPro]

Excellent average bench

The Intel Core i3-12100F averaged just 5.9% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This is an excellent result which ranks the Intel Core i3-12100F near the top of the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Single Core Speed 172Pts
Avg. Dual Core Speed 323Pts

Excellent consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i3-12100F is just 9.34%. This is an extremely narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i3-12100F performs superbly consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 795Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 788Pts

Average Bench

(Based on 11,860 samples)
Min Avg Max
76.5 Memory 83.8 91
162 1-Core 172 178
292 2-Core 323 344
104% 193 Pts
Min Avg Max
518 4-Core 565 647
739 8-Core 788 823
85.2% 676 Pts
Min Avg Max
749 64-Core 795 828
49.2% 795 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
CPUSocket, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 4.1 GHz (avg)
Memory 84
1-Core 173
2-Core 326
104% 194 Pts
4-Core 568
8-Core 816
87% 692 Pts
64-Core 812
50% 812 Pts
LGA1700, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 4.05 GHz (avg)
Memory 82
1-Core 169
2-Core 332
103% 194 Pts
4-Core 554
8-Core 759
83% 656 Pts
64-Core 799
49% 799 Pts
LGA1700, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 4.05 GHz (avg)
Memory 80.1
1-Core 170
2-Core 311
100% 187 Pts
4-Core 537
8-Core 765
82% 651 Pts
64-Core 784
48% 784 Pts
CPUSocket, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 4.05 GHz (avg)
Memory 73.4
1-Core 156
2-Core 275
91% 168 Pts
4-Core 504
8-Core 707
76% 605 Pts
64-Core 711
44% 711 Pts
11,860 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 69,046,427 CPUs tested

 Prices

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MSRP ≈ $130 @ launch in Jan '22
EbayUS $7523 mins
AmazonUS $7716 mins
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Typical Core i3-12100F Builds (Compare 7,990 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 98%
Nuclear submarine
Desktop
Desktop 102%
UFO
Workstation
Workstation 85%
Aircraft carrier

Motherboard: Gigabyte B660M DS3H DDR4 - $120

EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 97% - Outstanding Total price: $555

Popular Core i3-12100F compatible motherboards:

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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) November 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
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  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Comments

12th generation Alder Lake processor...

Added 2 years ago.

Liked

10 months ago.

Comment 

The Pure Definiton of bang for your buck—Sep '22


Good

1 month ago.

An excellent budget CPU with good performance compared to AMD's budget cpu (Ryzen 5 3600).


Excellent

25 days ago.

Comment 

This is the best CPU for budget gamers out there i love this processor 3 truly best money spent —Sep '22


Good

3 months ago.

I have it in my gaming pc, best bang for the buck cpu out there


Terrible

3 months ago.

Comment 

Too cheap for that kind of performance.—Aug '22


Good

2 years ago.


Poor

11 months ago.

Its capability to run cpu intensive vr games like boneworks


Excellent

2 years ago.

This is the budget king for now. Massive performance at a small cost.


Excellent

17 months ago.

it is insane for its price


Excellent

2 years ago.

Its a great budget CPU for a desktop. The only thing I wish it had is more CPU cores and threads.


Excellent

13 months ago.

best price to value cpu


Excellent

2 years ago.

Budget king CPU. Better than the 10400f at a fraction of the cost. Excellent entry level option for those looking to build a 12th generation Intel Desktop.


Excellent

23 months ago.

120 bucks!!!! 120BUCKS!!!!!!! a nearly all ufo processor for just 120 bucks i love it


Excellent

9 months ago.

And unstoppable budget CPU. AMD's Ryzen 5 3600 stands no chance. Excellent for any purpose!


Excellent

9 months ago.

i'm using it it's the best budget cpu for games


Your
opinion?
1468 Processors (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

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The Best
CPUGPUSSD
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Intel Core i5-12600K $160Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $389WD Black SN850X M.2 1TB $80
Intel Core i5-12400F $111Nvidia RTX 4070 $500Crucial T700 M.2 4TB $378
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