Intel Core i3-12100F

Written analysis

Intel Core i3-12100F at a glance

The Intel Core i3-12100F is based on the Alder Lake-S architecture and is manufactured using the 10 nm process at Intel. It uses the LGA 1700 socket with Intel 600 Series, Intel 700 Series chipsets, PCIe Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only), and DDR4, DDR5 memory up to 4800 MT/s across Dual-channel memory. It has 4 cores at 3.30–4.30 GHz and 8 threads. Cache is 1280 kB L2 and 12 MB L3.

This is a Desktop processor using consumer memory and expansion standards. Its workload suitability is better described by the measured application and gaming scores below than by core count alone.

Power is relatively modest at 58 W base and 89 W maximum, making compact cooling easier than on higher-power parts.

This CPU has no integrated graphics. A discrete graphics card is required for display output.

Best fit: Cost-conscious desktop builds paired with a discrete GPU and workloads appropriate to its measured tier.

Application performance

Intel Core i3-12100F is a budget CPU, at 21.32% of the dataset’s best application performance. Best for browsing, office work, and media.

Application value is balanced at 51.7 performance per dollar.

Gaming performance

Intel Core i3-12100F is a budget gaming CPU, at 52.95% of the dataset’s best 1080p CPU-limited gaming. Keep the GPU in the same class.

Gaming value is exceptional at 84.3 performance per dollar.