i7-12700K vs i3-6157U

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-6157U
2016
2 cores / 4 threads, 28 Watt
1.74
Core i7-12700K
2021
12 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
21.78
+1152%

Core i7-12700K outperforms Core i3-6157U by a whopping 1152% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2036243
Place by popularitynot in top-10073
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data41.93
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i3Intel Core i7
Power efficiency5.8516.40
Architecture codenameSkylake (2015−2016)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date1 September 2016 (8 years ago)4 November 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$304$409

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K 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 cores2 (Dual-core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads420
Base clock speed2.4 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed2.4 GHz5 GHz
Bus typeOPIDMI 4.0
Bus rate4 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier2436
L1 cache128 KB80K (per core)
L2 cache512 KB1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm10 nm
Die sizeno data215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCBGA1356,FC-BGA1356FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)28 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
eDRAM64 MBno data
Speed Shiftno data+
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP-+
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX+-
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3, DDR4DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth34.134 GB/s76.805 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel Iris Graphics 550Intel UHD Graphics 770
Max video memory32 GBno data
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1 GHz1.5 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported34
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@24Hz4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP4096x2304@60Hz5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096x2304@60Hz7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over VGAN/Ano data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.54.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes1220

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.

i3-6157U 1.74
i7-12700K 21.78
+1152%

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.

i3-6157U 2770
i7-12700K 34595
+1149%

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.

i3-6157U 814
i7-12700K 2555
+214%

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.

i3-6157U 1665
i7-12700K 13786
+728%

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

i3-6157U 242
i7-12700K 3325
+1274%

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

i3-6157U 99
i7-12700K 272
+175%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.74 21.78
Integrated graphics card 3.70 6.16
Recency 1 September 2016 4 November 2021
Physical cores 2 12
Threads 4 20
Chip lithography 14 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 28 Watt 125 Watt

i3-6157U has 346.4% lower power consumption.

i7-12700K, on the other hand, has a 1151.7% higher aggregate performance score, 66.5% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 5 years, 500% more physical cores and 400% more threads, and a 40% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i7-12700K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-6157U in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i3-6157U is a notebook processor while Core i7-12700K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-6157U and Core i7-12700K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-6157U
Core i3-6157U
Intel Core i7-12700K
Core i7-12700K

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Community ratings

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