Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i7-8700 (Intel, 2018) and Core i3-12100 (Intel, 2022) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i7-8700 is about 3.7% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1151 / LGA1700), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i7-8700 | i3-12100 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 14,000 | 13,500 |
| Generation | 8th Gen | 12th Gen |
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1700 |
| Release Year | 2018 | 2022 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon RX 6700 XT | Radeon RX 6800 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i7-8700 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i3-12100 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i7-8700 is about 3.7% higher by score (i7-8700: 14000 points / i3-12100: 13500 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i7-8700 is 8th Gen, while i3-12100 is 12th Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1151 / LGA1700), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon RX 6700 XT pairs well with i7-8700 and Radeon RX 6800 pairs well with i3-12100. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
