Core i3-12100E vs Core i7-8700K

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-12100E vs Core i7-8700K FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-12100E vs Core i7-8700K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-12100E

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 60W instead of 95W, a 35W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,535 vs 13,572).

Core i7-8700K

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $359 MSRP, while Core i3-12100E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌58.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 60W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i3-12100E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8700K better than Core i3-12100E?

Yes. Core i7-8700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-8700K is the better buy right now. Core i7-8700K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $359 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i3-12100E can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-12100E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12100E vs Core i7-8700K Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-12100E

The Core i3-12100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,535 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8700K

The Core i7-8700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,572 points. Launch price was $359.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12100E packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-8700K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-8700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12100E versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i3-12100E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-8700K uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100E scores 13,535 against the Core i7-8700K's 13,572 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-8700K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100E vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K.

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Core i7-8700K
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.7 GHz+12%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12288 kB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	13,535	13,572
Geekbench 6 Single	1,594	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-8700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100E versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700K — the Core i3-12100E supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-12100E) vs 16 (Core i7-8700K) — the Core i3-12100E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,W680,Q670,R680E (Core i3-12100E) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-8700K).

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Core i7-8700K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100E) / not specified (Core i7-8700K). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 730 (Core i3-12100E) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100E rivals Ryzen Embedded V3000 Series.