Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i9-9900X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i3-12100 and Intel Core i9-9900X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Graphics image quality, Graphics API support, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core.

Intel Core i3-12100

Intel Core i9-9900X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i3-12100

CPU is newer: launch date 3 year(s) 3 month(s) later
Around 9% higher maximum core temperature: 100°C vs 92°C
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 7 nm vs 14 nm
2.8x lower typical power consumption: 60 Watt vs 165 Watt
Around 34% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 3421 vs 2557

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	4 Jan 2022 vs October 2018
Maximum core temperature	100°C vs 92°C
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm vs 14 nm
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	60 Watt vs 165 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	3421 vs 2557

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9900X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
6 more cores, run more applications at once: 10 vs 4
12 more threads: 20 vs 8
Around 2% higher clock speed: 4.40 GHz vs 4.30 GHz
2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
2x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 60% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 60% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 21697 vs 13525
2.6x better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 10364 vs 3999

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	10 vs 4
Number of threads	20 vs 8
Maximum frequency	4.40 GHz vs 4.30 GHz
L1 cache	64K (per core) vs 320 KB
L2 cache	1 MB (per core) vs 5 MB
L3 cache	19.25 MB (shared) vs 12 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	21697 vs 13525
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	10364 vs 3999

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i3-12100
CPU 2: Intel Core i9-9900X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

3421

2557

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

13525

21697

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

3999

10364

Name	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i9-9900X
PassMark - Single thread mark	3421	2557
PassMark - CPU mark	13525	21697
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	3999	10364
Geekbench 4 - Single Core		1136
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core		10446

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i3-12100	Intel Core i9-9900X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Alder Lake	Skylake
Launch date	4 Jan 2022	October 2018
Launch price (MSRP)	$144
Place in performance rating	808	815
Processor Number	i3-12100	i9-9900X
Series	12th Generation Intel Core i3 Processors	Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Status		Launched
Performance
64 bit support
L1 cache	320 KB	64K (per core)
L2 cache	5 MB	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	12 MB	19.25 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	100°C	92°C
Maximum frequency	4.30 GHz	4.40 GHz
Number of cores	4	10
Number of threads	8	20
Base frequency		3.50 GHz
Bus Speed		8 GT/s DMI3
Maximum case temperature (TCase)		72 °C
Number of QPI Links		0
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	2	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	76.8 GB/s
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Supported memory types	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s	DDR4-2666
Graphics
Device ID	0x4692
Execution Units	24
Graphics base frequency	300 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency	1.40 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Processor graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 730
Graphics interfaces
Number of displays supported	4
Graphics image quality
Max resolution over DisplayPort	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Graphics API support
DirectX	12
OpenGL	4.5
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	45.0 mm x 37.5 mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1700	FCLGA2066
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	60 Watt	165 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2020C	PCG 2017X
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	20	44
PCI Express revision	5.0 and 4.0	3.0
PCIe configurations	Up to 1x16+4, 2x8+4
Scalability	1S Only	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Secure Boot
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD)
Speed Shift technology
Thermal Monitoring
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units		2
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)