Intel Core i9-12900KF vs Intel Core i3-12100T

Processor comparisons   28-09-2022
   For example you can't decide which processor to buy, you can make a choice by looking at the Intel Core i9-12900KF vs Intel Core i3-12100T tests and understand which is better for games or simple use for video editing, machine learning, programming, streaming, rendering. Here is useful information from different benchmarks or real video editing and streaming tests. A careful review of all the specifications, to make it easier to understand, is made by the table.
   From the comparison video, you can get the results of joint testing in special test applications such as Dolphin Emulator, Furmark, Blender, AIDA64, DaVinci Resolve Studio, 3DMark, 7zip, SuperPi, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, MATLAB, Blender, Handbrake, VeraCrypt, PCMark 10, Gears 5, GeekBench 6, 5.2, PassMark, Prime95, RealBench, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), UserBenchmark, WPrime.
   Gaming performance of processors in:

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Halo Infinite
Watch Dogs Legion
Grand Theft Auto V
Last Man Standing
Borderlands 3
Overwatch
Valorant
Apex Legends
Valheim
Fortnite
Red Dead Redemption 2
Death Stranding
DOOM: Eternal
Fallout 76
Cyberpunk 2077
Rainbow Six Siege
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare

After looking at the data of parallel benchmarks and videos, you can already make an informed decision about which CPU is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i3-12100T or Intel Core i9-12900KF.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Core i9-12900KF

66%

Core i3-12100T

55%

The number of this parameter shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i9-12900KF is 16% better than Core i3-12100T. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i9-12900KF

61%

Core i3-12100T

54%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will run games. Because this processor costs several tens of thousands of dollars. And if it seems to you that the selected CPU has a low game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the summary table below.
List of less popular games in which processors were compared: Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Forza Horizon 4, Metro Exodus, Horizon Zero Dawn, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), League of Legends (LOL), Ghostrunner, Half-Life: Alyx, Battlefield V, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Hitman 3, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Monster Hunter World, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Control, NBA 2K20, DOTA 2A, Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	108.9	95.7
Valorant	123.8	108.7
Cyberpunk 2077	69.3	60.9
Apex Legends	116.4	102.2
Call of Duty Warzone	92.8	81.6
Overwatch	100.3	88.1
Red Dead Redemption 2	85.4	75.0
DOOM Eternal	61.9	54.4
Warzone	96.5	84.8
Assassin's Creed	104.0	91.3
Valheim	102.7	90.3

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The computers that were in the comparisons not only did they have different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 2K, 4K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. To be sure exactly how much performance the processor will be in games, if you compare it in one assembly with the video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i9-12900KF

52%

Core i3-12100T

159%

To make a finishing resolution on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. The newer the processor generation, the better its performance in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Core i3-12100T is more energy efficient than the Core i9-12900KF as it consumes less power: 125W vs. 35W. Power consumption is particularly important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, it will be useful to know its TDP. You need to buy a cooler that has the TDP data specified in the specification was greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

For example you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for video editing or video rendering, machine learning, streaming, programming, then first of all you need to pay attention to the performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to reach maximum performance, the processor turns on all threads and cores that it has. You will learn this data from the benchmark tables below. Before using the data from these tests, be sure to check whether the software you are going to use on your computer supports multi-threaded mode. Because there are still many programs that use only one core to run, and all the benefit of multi-core mode are unused.
Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i9-12900KF	Intel Core i3-12100T
Cinbench 15 Single-core	474	256
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	4996	1880
Cinbench 20 Single-core	792	616
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	11107	4269
Cinbench 23 Single-core	2809	1443
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	31962	14072

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i9-12900KF	Intel Core i3-12100T
Single-Core	7320	3375
Multi-Core	54642	19700

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i9-12900KF	Intel Core i3-12100T
Single-Core	1967	1670
Multi-Core	20514	7545

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the processor release date and overclocking capability will be the most useful. The newer the processor, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system in the future. The same can be said about overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will still be able to produce maximum FPS even in the newest games. Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer. The savings are obvious!

	Intel Core i9-12900KF	Intel Core i3-12100T
Announcement date	July 21, 2021	January 07, 2022
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	FCLGA1700	FCLGA1700
Core name	Alder Lake	Alder Lake
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	12	12
Turbo Frequency	5.2 MHz	4.1 MHz
Frequency	3.9 MHz	1 MHz
Cores	16	4
Threads	24	8
Bus rate	16 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	7 nm	7 nm
Transistors count	12600 millions	9800 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	125 W	35 W
Memory type	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s
Max. Memory	128 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency	6400
Memory bandwidth	76.8 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
L1 cache	2 MB
L2 cache	14 MB	5 MB
L3 cache	30 MB	12 MB
Overclocking	No	No
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i9-12900KF is 74% better than Core i3-12100T in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i9-12900KF has 12 more core than Core i3-12100T. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i9-12900KF is better: 29
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i3-12100T is better: 4
However, it should be realized that all the number in the text above do not mean that taking them into account you should fully trust a simple quantitative comparison. Be sure to watch the video tests and read the reviews of real owners of Intel Core i9-12900KF and Intel Core i3-12100T before deciding which CPU to buy for gaming and which not.

Intel Core i9-12900KF - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i9-12900KF specs and review.

Intel Core i3-12100T - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i3-12100T specs and review.