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Core i3-12100 vs Core i7-8700

VS

Performance score

Core i3-12100 2022 · 4/8 cores/threads, 60 W
25.88
Core i7-8700 2017 · 6/12 cores/threads, 65 W
25.88

Core i3-12100 and Core i7-8700 are almost equally fast (under 3% apart) — choose by price, socket and platform.

Different sockets (LGA1700 and LGA1151) — switching between them needs a different motherboard.

The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.

Real tests

What the test measures

Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.

CPU rendering (Blender)

faster than 49% of tested · runs: 6

Core i7-8700
115+19 %

faster than 55% of tested · runs: 36

Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.

Overview

Core i3-12100Core i7-8700
Score (0–100) 25.88 25.88
Ranking position 363 364
Power efficiency (0–100) 22.54 20.81
Type Desktop Desktop
Manufacturer Intel Intel
Architecture Alder Lake Coffee Lake
Release date Q1 2022 Q4 2017

Specifications

Core i3-12100Core i7-8700
Cores 4 6
Threads 8 12
Base clock no data 3.2 GHz
Boost clock 4.3 GHz 4.6 GHz
L3 cache 12 MB 12 MB
Process node Intel 7 14 nm
Unlocked multiplier no no
Integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 730 Intel UHD Graphics 630
NPU (AI accelerator) no no

Compatibility

Core i3-12100Core i7-8700
Socket LGA1700 LGA1151
TDP 60 W 65 W

Memory and PCI Express

Core i3-12100Core i7-8700
Memory type DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 DDR4-2666
Memory channels 2 2
Max memory 128 GB 128 GB
PCI Express version 5.0 3.0
PCIe lanes 20 16

Pros and cons

Core i3-12100

  • 25% faster single core
  • lower TDP: 60 W vs 65 W
  • newer: released in 2022

Core i7-8700

  • more cores: 6 vs 4
  • more threads: 12 vs 8

Other comparisons

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