CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i5-5675C
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-12100 is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor introducing the Golden Cove architecture to the budget segment, featuring DDR4/DDR5 support, PCIe 5.0, and a bundled Laminar RM1 cooler.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles everyday office tasks and web applications with ease, but heavy multitasking will expose the 4-core limitation.
Quad-core performance at 3.6GHz is snappy for everyday tasks and light creation.
Gaming
Delivers playable 1080p frame rates in esports and older AAA titles when paired with a mid-range GPU, though 4 cores limit performance in modern CPU-heavy games.
Iris Pro 6200 allows for solid 1080p gaming on older titles without a dedicated GPU.
Virtualization
Can run a single lightweight virtual machine, but lacks the core count for serious virtualization workloads.
Handles basic VMs well, though limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
Very power-efficient for a desktop processor, drawing little power at idle and scaling linearly under load.
Broadwell's 14nm process is quite efficient, especially when TDP is configured down.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- CPU-based inference is slow with only 4 cores
- Not designed or recommended for machine learning tasks
- No modern AI hardware features
- DDR3 bandwidth limits execution unit utilization for AI
Content Creation
Gaming
- Strong single-core performance benefits esports titles significantly
- Bottlenecks appear with GPUs above the RTX 3060 tier in CPU-bound games
- UHD 730 iGPU is insufficient for modern gaming
- 4 cores and 8 threads are the minimum recommended for modern PC gaming
- Comparable to an NVIDIA GT 740 GDDR5
- Can play titles like BioShock Infinite at 1080p High
- eDRAM significantly reduces texture stuttering
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Outstanding single-thread performance for the price
- Includes UHD Graphics 730 for display output without a dGPU
- Bundled Laminar RM1 cooler saves money
- DDR4 and DDR5 memory flexibility
- PCIe 5.0 support for future-proofing
- Very low 60 W power consumption
Cons
- Only 4 cores limit heavy multi-threaded workloads
- No hybrid E-cores like higher-tier Alder Lake parts
- Locked multiplier prevents CPU overclocking
- UHD 730 iGPU is too weak for modern gaming
- LGA 1700 is a dead-end platform following 14th-gen
Pros
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- Powerful Iris Pro 6200 integrated graphics
- Uses standard LGA 1150 socket
- Configurable TDP for silent builds
- Includes 128MB L4 eDRAM
Cons
- Limited to DDR3 memory
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- Hard to find on the used market
- Lower base clock than some Haswell counterparts
- Socket 1150 is a dead platform
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-12100
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Rival
Budget Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300GRival
Budget APU
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Rival
Previous-Gen AM4
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10100Rival
Previous-Gen Intel
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600GRival
Mainstream APU
Saves $25 if a dedicated GPU is already part of the build plan.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Provides 6 Golden Cove cores for significantly better multitasking and gaming longevity.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
A step up in price but offers a much more balanced 6-core/12-thread profile for gaming and productivity.
If priced similarly, the 13th-gen offers a slight frequency bump for a seamless upgrade.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-5675C
- AMD A10-7870KRival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690KRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-5775CRival
Desktop
- AMD A8-7670KRival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5575RRival
Desktop BGA
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
A vastly superior modern APU with better CPU and GPU performance.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
A budget modern AM4 alternative with decent Vega graphics.
Modern budget king that obliterates this chip in single-core performance.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The i3-12100 delivers exceptional single-threaded performance for its $122 price point, complete with an iGPU and a stock cooler, making it one of the most well-rounded budget desktop processors Intel has ever produced.
Best for: Buy the i3-12100 if you are building a budget desktop PC and want the peace of mind of having integrated graphics as a fallback, or if you do not plan to install a dedicated GPU. At its current street price, it is an excellent choice for office PCs, student workstations, and entry-level gaming rigs paired with a mid-range graphics card like the GTX 1660 Super or RX 6600. Avoid it only if you are certain you will never need the iGPU, as the 12100F offers identical CPU performance for less money.
Read the full reviewA cult classic desktop CPU that combined an unlocked multiplier with exceptional integrated graphics, making it a unique and highly sought-after part for compact builds.
Best for: Building a retro or niche HTPC where integrated graphics are preferred.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-12100 or Intel Core i5-5675C?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-5675C comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-12100 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-12100 (60 W), Intel Core i5-5675C (65 W).
Do Intel Core i3-12100 and Intel Core i5-5675C use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-12100: LGA 1700, Intel Core i5-5675C: Intel Socket 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-12100 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-12100 (8,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.