Intel Core i3 12100F CPU

Pros:
-Really great single core IPC performance
-Cheap and outperforms old-generation Ryzens easily
-FREE RM1 cooler looks mean
-Runs cool on my tests even with stock cooler

Cons:
-Doesn't have iGPU
-Suffers from the dreaded 'i3 branding'
-Poor resale value because most 'normies' will see i3 and dismiss it
-You can't remove the i3 branding
-Your self-esteem stats will decrease because of i3 branding
-Box comes with same colour scheme as 11th gen, so you will really struggle convincing people about that this is 12th gen CPU
-Don't know why they made i3 font bigger over 12th Gen
-Your mates will judge you because you have an i3, ...view more Pros:
-Really great single core IPC performance
-Cheap and outperforms old-generation Ryzens easily
-FREE RM1 cooler looks mean
-Runs cool on my tests even with stock cooler

Cons:
-Doesn't have iGPU
-Suffers from the dreaded 'i3 branding'
-Poor resale value because most 'normies' will see i3 and dismiss it
-You can't remove the i3 branding
-Your self-esteem stats will decrease because of i3 branding
-Box comes with same colour scheme as 11th gen, so you will really struggle convincing people about that this is 12th gen CPU
-Don't know why they made i3 font bigger over 12th Gen
-Your mates will judge you because you have an i3, even though they have 2nd/3rd gen i7's (which are waay slower)

TLDR - it's good, like really good... just be sure to find an i7 sticker and slap it on your PC.

By: Ricky_Bobby 04/06/22

Verified Owner

The Core I3 12100f is roughly 2021-2022s best budget CPU. Worth every cent if you plan on upgrading to a more high Raptor Lake CPU as soon as they release. Or if you just want that sweet feeling of a new socket projected to be used up until the 14th or 15th generation. However, note that the CPU is quad core, so you shouldn't expect your multicore/(multithreaded?) performance to be THE best. Single Core performance is a whole different story, and I would highly recommend looking at the benchmarks online for the i3. Overall, i'd recommend this CPU for people/gamers on a tight budget or people who spend more money on other components like the...view more The Core I3 12100f is roughly 2021-2022s best budget CPU. Worth every cent if you plan on upgrading to a more high Raptor Lake CPU as soon as they release. Or if you just want that sweet feeling of a new socket projected to be used up until the 14th or 15th generation. However, note that the CPU is quad core, so you shouldn't expect your multicore/(multithreaded?) performance to be THE best. Single Core performance is a whole different story, and I would highly recommend looking at the benchmarks online for the i3. Overall, i'd recommend this CPU for people/gamers on a tight budget or people who spend more money on other components like the Motherboard, GPU, RAM, etc.

Purchased to build a gaming pc love the built in fan and speed is awesome have definitely noticed the difference Purchased to build a gaming pc love the built in fan and speed is awesome have definitely noticed the difference

My Z97 motherboard w/ 4690k finally died (bad VRM cooling + 9 years of use) so I reluctantly had to upgrade.. Was super lucky to pick up one of these this week. Insane performance, beats Zen 3 cpu's in single-threaded workloads, perfectly adequate for 120hz+ 1080p gaming with a decent GPU. I'm running it with 16gb 3200mhz CL18 ram, and a B660M Gaming AC gigabyte mobo. I can see this thing lasting me another five years at least, and for the price, it's probably the best value computing purchase I have ever made - maybe will ever make. Highly, highly recommend for most users, especially at 1080P. My Z97 motherboard w/ 4690k finally died (bad VRM cooling + 9 years of use) so I reluctantly had to upgrade.. Was super lucky to pick up one of these this week. Insane performance, beats Zen 3 cpu's in single-threaded workloads, perfectly adequate for 120hz+ 1080p gaming with a decent GPU. I'm running it with 16gb 3200mhz CL18 ram, and a B660M Gaming AC gigabyte mobo. I can see this thing lasting me another five years at least, and for the price, it's probably the best value computing purchase I have ever made - maybe will ever make. Highly, highly recommend for most users, especially at 1080P.

The only contender in the mainstream-budget class CPU for general computing and gaming system with discreet graphics card.

Single core performance exceeding or equal to previous generation's mid-tier Intel i5 and Ryzen 5 series CPUs.

Welcome back Intel. The only contender in the mainstream-budget class CPU for general computing and gaming system with discreet graphics card.

Single core performance exceeding or equal to previous generation's mid-tier Intel i5 and Ryzen 5 series CPUs.

Welcome back Intel.

The performance is stronger than my previous 8th gen i5-8500. Factory CPU cooler is enough, no need to buy an aftermarket cooler for this model i3. The performance is stronger than my previous 8th gen i5-8500. Factory CPU cooler is enough, no need to buy an aftermarket cooler for this model i3.

It's a really great price to performance CPU. Works great for CPU heavy tasks, massive upgrade from my last CPU It's a really great price to performance CPU. Works great for CPU heavy tasks, massive upgrade from my last CPU

While most cpu manufacturers and content creators nowadays always talk about needing "at least a ryzen 7 or i7 for modern games", this isnt actually needed as the i3-12100f has performed fine for me on pretty much every cpu-heavy game that I've played. Would be worth eventually upgrading to a 6/8 core cpu but it is pretty much perfect as is. While most cpu manufacturers and content creators nowadays always talk about needing "at least a ryzen 7 or i7 for modern games", this isnt actually needed as the i3-12100f has performed fine for me on pretty much every cpu-heavy game that I've played. Would be worth eventually upgrading to a 6/8 core cpu but it is pretty much perfect as is.

Good product for the price especially if you are looking for a custom build entry level gaming pc. Does what it needs to do. Good product for the price especially if you are looking for a custom build entry level gaming pc. Does what it needs to do.

You won't find a better CPU for a better price, runs most games really well and all games pretty well. Major upgrade from my last CPU You won't find a better CPU for a better price, runs most games really well and all games pretty well. Major upgrade from my last CPU

Used for my first build, I didn’t really care about it being the base model, it performs well in CPU intensive tasks.

I haven’t enabled XMP yet but it is already fast enough for what I need.

Stock cooler is sexy, would prefer it over most custom air coolers.

Was recommended by Tech Source in a build video, runs great Used for my first build, I didn’t really care about it being the base model, it performs well in CPU intensive tasks.

I haven’t enabled XMP yet but it is already fast enough for what I need.

Stock cooler is sexy, would prefer it over most custom air coolers.

Was recommended by Tech Source in a build video, runs great

i bought this to use with an RTX 3060 at 1080p 165hz with games like CSGO and fortnite and it does the job exceptionally well. Definitely recommend as part of a budget build. i upgraded the stock cooler for asthetic purposes but the stock cooler is adequate i bought this to use with an RTX 3060 at 1080p 165hz with games like CSGO and fortnite and it does the job exceptionally well. Definitely recommend as part of a budget build. i upgraded the stock cooler for asthetic purposes but the stock cooler is adequate