i5-12400F vs. i3-12100 for Gaming?

Started by etherwoman on July 09, 2024

CPU INTEL 12400F 12100

I'm looking to pick a CPU for gaming and I'm torn between the i5-12400F and i3-12100. Has anyone had experience with these or can recommend one?

Solved by MathRamp in post #6
I was considering getting an i3-12100 because it's cheaper, but after reading @KadenReed's comment about that TechReviewer article Intel Core i5-12400F vs. Intel Core i3-12100, I might rethink my decision. More cores can't hurt, right?

I've been using the i5-12400F for a couple of months now and it's been great! The extra cores really help with some games, especially those that are more CPU-intensive.

Interesting! I've read an article on TechReviewer about these two CPUs. According to the article Intel Core i5-12400F vs. Intel Core i3-12100, both have good game performance but the i5-12400F has a higher single-core max turbo boost frequency and more cores which could be beneficial for some games. It's worth noting that a good GPU is still crucial for gaming performance.

That's really helpful, @KadenReed! The article you mentioned makes sense. But I'm also curious about the i3-12100's performance in general apps. How does it fare compared to the i5-12400F?

From my experience, both CPUs perform well in general apps. However, the i5-12400F has a slight edge due to its higher base and turbo frequencies.

I was considering getting an i3-12100 because it's cheaper, but after reading @KadenReed's comment about that TechReviewer article Intel Core i5-12400F vs. Intel Core i3-12100, I might rethink my decision. More cores can't hurt, right?

Solution

@MathRamp, that's true! Extra cores can definitely help in certain situations, especially if you're running multiple apps at the same time or streaming games.

Exactly! And for the price difference, it seems like the i5-12400F offers better value for money. But ultimately, it depends on your specific needs and budget.

Yeah, @MathRamp, I agree with everyone here. In conclusion, both CPUs have their strengths and weaknesses. The i5-12400F might be a better choice if you're looking for performance in CPU-intensive games and general apps. However, the i3-12100 can still deliver good performance but at a lower price point.

Thanks for the insights, everyone! I think I'll go with the i5-12400F based on this discussion. Time to start building my gaming PC!

Sounds great, @etherwoman! Enjoy your new CPU and happy gaming!