Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i7-870

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i3-12100 or Intel Core i3-12100 – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i3-12100 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2022 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-12100, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
The Intel Core i7-870 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-870, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1156 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i3-12100 Name Intel Core i7-870
Intel Core i3 Family Intel Core i7
12 Generation 1
Intel Core i 12000 Group Intel Core i7 800
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i3-12100 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-12100 is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.3 GHz.
The Intel Core i7-870 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-870 is 2.93 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
4.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.6 GHz
No Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.3 GHz Frequency 2.93 GHz
8 Threads 8
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
4 CPU Cores 4
4x Golden Cove Cores 4x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i3-12100 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-12100 uses the Intel UHD Graphics 730, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i7-870 does not have integrated graphics.
0.3 GHz GPU frequency --
Q1/2021 Release date --
12 Direct X --
Intel UHD Graphics 730 GPU name
14 nm Technology --
-- Max. displays --
192 Shaders --
64.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
24 Execution units --
12 Generation --
1.4 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode AVC --
Decode VC-1 --
Decode / Encode VP9 --
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
Decode / Encode h264 --
Decode / Encode VP8 --
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
Decode / Encode JPEG --
Decode AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
128.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI No
No ECC No
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 21.3 GB/s
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 Memory type DDR3-1333
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 60 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
100 °C Tjunction max --
89 W TDP (PL2) None
60 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i3-12100 is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-870 is manufactured using a 45 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
Q1/2022 Release date Q2/2010
-- Part Number --
5.0 MB L2-Cache 1.0 MB
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Alder Lake S Architecture Lynnfield
10 nm Technology 45 nm
LGA 1700 Socket LGA 1156
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
122 $ Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
12.0 MB L3-Cache 8.0 MB