Core i3-12100F vs Core i7-8700K: CPU comparison

Performance score

Core i3-12100F 2022, $97 · 4/8 cores/threads, 58 W

27.03

Core i7-8700K 2017 · 6/12 cores/threads, 95 W

27.21

Core i5-12400F Ryzen 5 7500F Ryzen 7 7800X3D Ryzen 7 9800X3D Core i7-14700K Core Ultra 7 265K Core i9-14900K

Core i3-12100F and Core i7-8700K 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)

Core i3-12100F

106

faster than 52% of tested · runs: 12

Core i7-8700K

122+15 %

faster than 56% of tested · runs: 42

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

Overview

	Core i3-12100F	Core i7-8700K
Score (0–100)	27.03	27.21
Ranking position	351	348
Price/performance (0–100)	100	no data
Power efficiency (0–100)	24.35	14.97
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Manufacturer	Intel	Intel
Architecture	Alder Lake	Coffee Lake
Release date	2022-01-04	Q4 2017
Launch price	$97	no data

Specifications

	Core i3-12100F	Core i7-8700K
Cores	4	6
Threads	8	12
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock	4.3 GHz	4.7 GHz
L2 cache	5 MB	no data
L3 cache	12 MB	12 MB
Process node	Intel 7	14 nm
Unlocked multiplier	no	yes
Integrated graphics	no	Intel UHD Graphics 630
NPU (AI accelerator)	no	no

Compatibility

	Core i3-12100F	Core i7-8700K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
TDP	58 W	95 W
Max temperature	100 °C	no data

Memory and PCI Express

	Core i3-12100F	Core i7-8700K
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 i3-12100F

22% faster single core
lower TDP: 58 W vs 95 W
newer: released in 2022

Core i7-8700K

more cores: 6 vs 4
more threads: 12 vs 8
has integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630)
unlocked multiplier (can be overclocked)

Other comparisons

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