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 i3-12100F vs Core i7-10870H 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 i3-12100F vs Core i7-10870H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-12100F

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $320 less on MSRP ($97 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
✅Delivers 326.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 144.1 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($97 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 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 i7-10870H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,979 vs 14,087).
❌28.9% higher power demand at 58W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10870H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-10870H

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 58W, a 13W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-12100F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.8 vs 144.1 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $97 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i3-12100F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10870H better than Core i3-12100F?

Yes. Core i7-10870H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-10870H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.1% 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 i7-10870H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-10870H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12100F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-10870H comes in 329.9% more expensive on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $97 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-12100F is also 326.6% better value on MSRP (144.1 vs 33.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i3-12100F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12100F vs Core i7-10870H Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-12100F

The Core i3-12100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 13,979 points. Launch price was $97.

Core i7-10870H

The Core i7-10870H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,087 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12100F packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-10870H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-10870H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-12100F versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10870H — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i7-10870H (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-12100F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-10870H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100F scores 13,979 against the Core i7-10870H's 14,087 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-10870H. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12100F	Core i7-10870H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+50%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark	13,979	14,087
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,594
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,228
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,822

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-10870H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100F versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10870H — the Core i3-12100F supports 9.1% 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 i3-12100F) vs 16 (Core i7-10870H) — the Core i3-12100F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i3-12100F) and WM490,HM470,QM480 (Core i7-10870H).

Feature	Core i3-12100F	Core i7-10870H
Socket	LGA1700	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800+9%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-12100F) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-10870H). The Core i7-10870H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-12100F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10870H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-10870H rivals Ryzen 7 4800H.

Feature	Core i3-12100F	Core i7-10870H
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12100F was priced at $97, while the Core i7-10870H came in at $417. On launch pricing ($97 vs $417), Core i3-12100F was $320 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12100F delivers 144.1 pts/$ vs 33.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-10870H — making the Core i3-12100F the 124% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-12100F	Core i7-10870H
MSRP	$97-77%	$417
Performance per Dollar	144.1+326%	33.8
Release Date	2022	2020

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