Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i9-12900. Specifications, performance, tests

Comprehensive background on the processors being compared, detailing their series, generation, and targeted market segment.

• Family
  Intel Core i3 Intel Core i9
• CPU group
  Intel Core i 12000 Intel Core i 12000
• Segment
  Desktop / Server Desktop / Server
• Generation
  12 12
• Predecessor
  Intel Core i3-11100 Intel Core i9-11900

Essential parameters including the number of cores, threads, base and turbo frequencies, and cache size. These metrics provide insight into the processor’s speed—higher values generally indicate better performance.

• CPU Cores / Threads
  4 / 8 16 / 24
• Core architecture
  normal hybrid (big.LITTLE)
• A-Core
  4x Golden Cove 8x Golden Cove
• B-Core
  -- 8x Gracemont
• Frequency
  3.30 GHz 2.40 GHz
• Turbo (1 Core)
  4.30 GHz 5.10 GHz
• Hyperthreading
  Yes Yes
• Overclocking
  No No

The integrated graphics (iGPU) do not influence the CPU performance significantly; they serve as a substitute for a dedicated graphics card in the absence of one or are utilized in mobile devices.

• GPU name
  Intel UHD Graphics 730 Intel UHD Graphics 770
• GPU frequency
  0.30 GHz 0.30 GHz
• GPU (Turbo)
  1.40 GHz 1.55 GHz
• Execution units
  24 32
• Shader
  192 256
• Max. GPU Memory
  64 GB --
• Max. displays
  3 3
• Generation
  12 11
• Direct X
  12 12
• Technology
  14 nm 10 nm
• Release date
  Q1/2021 Q4/2021

This section details the built-in codecs used for encoding and decoding media content, which significantly enhance processing speed and efficiency.

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

Overview of the types and quantities of RAM supported by Intel Core i9-12900 and Intel Core i3-12100. The supported memory frequencies may vary depending on the motherboard configuration.

• Memory type
  DDR4-3200DDR5-4800 DDR4-3200DDR5-4800
• Max. Memory
  128 GB 128 GB
• Memory channels
  2 2
• ECC
  No No
• PCIe
  5.0 x 20 5.0 x 20
• AES-NI
  Yes Yes

Analyze the TDP (Thermal Design Power) requirements of Intel Core i3-12100 and Intel Core i9-12900 to make an informed decision on the appropriate cooling system. Remember that TDP refers to thermal watts, not electrical watts.

• TDP (PL1)
  60 W 65 W
• TDP (PL2)
  89 W 202 W
• Tjunction max.
  100 °C 100 °C

Information on architecture, interfaces, and additional instructions supported by Intel Core i3-12100 and Intel Core i9-12900, including virtual machine technologies and fabrication processes.

• Instruction set (ISA)
  x86-64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
• ISA extensions
  SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+
• L2-Cache
  5.00 MB 14.00 MB
• L3-Cache
  12.00 MB 30.00 MB
• Architecture
  Alder Lake S Alder Lake S
• Technology
  10 nm 10 nm
• Virtualization
  VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
• Socket
  LGA 1700 LGA 1700
• Release date
  Q1/2022 Q1/2022