Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i3-12100

Let's find out which one of Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i3-12100 is of a more recent generation, and what segment it belongs to.

• Name
  Intel Core i5-12600K Intel Core i3-12100
• Segment
  Desktop / Server Desktop / Server
• Family
  Intel Core i5 Intel Core i3
• Generation
  12 12
• CPU group
  Intel Core i 12000 Intel Core i 12000
• Predecessor
  Intel Core i5-11600K Intel Core i3-11100B
• Successor
  -- Intel Core i3-13100

In this block we are going to compare Intel Core i5-12600K vs Intel Core i3-12100 by main technical specifications: number of cores and threads, base and maximum frequencies, process technology and cache size. The higher these specifications are, the more powerful your CPU will be.

• Frequency
  3.70 GHz 3.30 GHz
• Overclocking
  Yes No
• Core architecture
  hybrid (big.LITTLE) normal

Common specifications for integrated graphics cards in Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i3-12100 along with supported interfaces and connection options. This block has no effect on the final efficiency of the CPU.

• GPU name
  Intel Iris Xe Graphics 32 (Alder Lake S) Intel UHD Graphics 730
• GPU frequency
  0.40 GHz 0.30 GHz
• GPU (Turbo)
  1.45 GHz 1.40 GHz
• Execution units
  32 24
• Shader
  256 192
• Max. GPU Memory
  16 GB 64 GB
• Max. displays
  4 3
• Generation
  12 12
• Technology
  10 nm 14 nm
• Release date
  Q4/2021 Q1/2021

Let's compare the support of video codecs between Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i3-12100. Hardware support of video decoding by embedded graphics cards directly affects the speed and quality of rendering videos.

• h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• h264
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VP9
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VP8
  Decode Decode / Encode
• AV1
  Decode Decode
• AVC
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VC-1
  Decode Decode
• JPEG
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode

To choose the best model between Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i3-12100 you need to pay special attention to memory type, clock frequency, multi-channel features, and PCIe version. The higher these numbers are, the better your CPU will be. Keep in mind that the maximum memory and frequency may also depend on the model of the motherboard.

• Memory type
  DDR4-3200DDR5-4800 DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800
• Max. Memory
  256 GB 128 GB
• ECC
  No No
• Memory channels
  2 2 (Dual Channel)

Let's find out what TDP value would be better for Intel Core i5-12600K or Intel Core i3-12100? The Thermal Design Power (TDP) indicates the maximum amount of heat that should be dissipated by the chip cooling system. However, the value of TDP gives only a rough indication of the real power consumption of the CPU.

• TDP (PL1)
  125 W 60 W
• TDP (PL2)
  228 W / 56 s 89 W
• Tjunction max.
  100 °C 100 \xc2\xb0C

Here you can find a comparison of 2nd and 3rd level cache sizes for Intel Core i5-12600K and Intel Core i3-12100 CPUs along with a list of ISA extensions.

• Instruction set (ISA)
  x86-64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
• Virtualization
  VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
• ISA extensions
  SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+
• L2-Cache
  -- 5.00 MB
• L3-Cache
  20.00 MB 12.00 MB
• Architecture
  Alder Lake S Alder Lake S
• Technology
  10 nm 10 nm
• Socket
  LGA 1700 LGA 1700
• Release date
  Q4/2021 Q1/2022
• Part Number
  BX8071512600K --