i3-12100F vs i5-9600K

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-9600K
2018
6 cores / 6 threads, 95 Watt
6.72
Core i3-12100F
2022
4 cores / 8 threads, 58 Watt
8.88
+32.1%

Core i3-12100F outperforms Core i5-9600K by a substantial 32% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1029859
Place by popularitynot in top-1005
Cost-effectiveness evaluation6.86no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5no data
Power efficiency6.6914.49
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-R (2018−2019)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$262no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-9600K 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads68
Base clock speed3.7 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4.6 GHz4.3 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier37no data
L1 cache64K (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache9 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size149 mm2163 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-9600K 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCLGA1151FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt58 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F. 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++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
TSX++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F 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 i5-9600K 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 i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth42.671 GB/s76.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 630no data
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes1620

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.

i5-9600K 6.72
i3-12100F 8.88
+32.1%

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.

i5-9600K 10668
i3-12100F 14110
+32.3%

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.

i5-9600K 1713
i3-12100F 2240
+30.8%

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.

i5-9600K 6404
i3-12100F 7470
+16.6%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.72 8.88
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 6 8
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 58 Watt

i5-9600K has 50% more physical cores.

i3-12100F, on the other hand, has a 32.1% higher aggregate performance score, 33.3% more threads, and 63.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-12100F is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-9600K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-9600K and Core i3-12100F, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i5-9600K
Core i5-9600K
Intel Core i3-12100F
Core i3-12100F

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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