CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-12100F vs Intel Core i5-4570
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor without integrated graphics, launching at an aggressive $97 with a bundled cooler to target budget gaming builds where a dedicated GPU is guaranteed.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Matches the 12100 in all CPU-bound productivity tasks, handling office work and light creative loads well.
Handles basic office and web tasks well, but compilation times and heavy multitasking expose its limits.
Gaming
Performs identically to the i3-12100 in gaming, offering smooth 1080p esports performance but showing its 4-core limits in modern CPU-heavy titles.
Competent with older titles and eSports games, but modern AAA titles expose the four-thread limitation severely.
Virtualization
Can manage a couple of lightweight VMs or Docker containers, though 4 cores restrict serious virtualization use.
VT-x and VT-d are present but four threads severely constrain any practical virtualization workload.
Efficiency
Slightly more efficient than the non-F variant due to the disabled iGPU silicon reducing idle and base power draw.
84W TDP for this performance level is unremarkable; modern processors deliver 2-3x the performance at similar power.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No integrated graphics means no Intel GPU-based AI acceleration
- CPU-only inference is slow with 4 cores
- Not suitable for AI workloads
- No AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 available but insufficient for meaningful inference
- DDR3 bandwidth too low for AI workloads
- Not suitable for any local AI tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Matches the i3-12100 exactly in all gaming benchmarks with a discrete GPU
- Excellent for CS:GO, Valorant, and League of Legends at 1080p
- Bottlenecks emerge with GPUs above the RTX 3060 / RX 6600 tier
- System will not post or display without a dedicated GPU
- Capable with eSports titles like CS:GO and Dota 2
- Bottlenecks mid-range and above modern GPUs
- DDR3 memory limits performance in open-world games
- No Hyper-Threading reduces 1% low frame rates
- Best paired with GTX 1060 or slower for balanced performance
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Unmatched gaming performance per dollar at launch
- Identical CPU performance to the more expensive i3-12100
- Lower 58 W base power draw than the non-F variant
- Bundled Laminar RM1 cooler included
- DDR4 and DDR5 memory flexibility
- PCIe 5.0 support for future GPU upgrades
Cons
- No integrated graphics means the system is useless without a dGPU
- Cannot be used for iGPU-based troubleshooting
- Only 4 cores limit performance in modern multi-threaded games
- Locked multiplier with no CPU overclocking
- LGA 1700 platform has a limited upgrade path
Pros
- Was excellent value at launch for mainstream users
- TSX and TXT support uncommon in this price segment
- Good turbo boost delta of 400 MHz
- Wide compatibility with H81 through Z97 chipsets
- Low used-market pricing makes it viable for repairs
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier eliminates overclocking
- 84W TDP is inefficient by modern standards
- DDR3 memory platform is obsolete
- No longer receives security microcode updates
- TSX was disabled on most systems due to errata
- Significantly outperformed by modern i3 processors
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-12100F
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Rival
Budget Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Rival
Value AM4
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300GRival
Budget APU
- Intel Core i3-10100FRival
Previous-Gen Value
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600Rival
Budget AM4
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
A modest price increase nets you 6 cores and significantly better gaming performance.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Six Golden Cove cores provide much better future-proofing for gaming and multitasking.
Only if you specifically need integrated graphics for display output or troubleshooting.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 7600Alt
A larger investment but provides a modern AM5 platform with dramatically better performance.
Intel Core i5-4570
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
APU Desktop
- Intel Core i3-4340Rival
Budget Desktop
Slightly higher clocks at similar pricing, providing a small but free performance uplift.
Compare head-to-headHigher base and turbo clocks for users needing maximum performance on LGA 1150.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Alt
Six cores and twelve threads on a modern DDR4 platform at similar used-market pricing.
Modern budget CPU that significantly outperforms the i5-4570 in single-threaded tasks.
Compare head-to-headDevils Canyon refresh with improved thermal interface and slightly higher clocks.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The i3-12100F is one of the best value processors Intel has ever produced for gamers. By removing the iGPU and dropping the price to $97 while keeping the outstanding Golden Cove cores, it dominated the budget build market in 2022.
Best for: The i3-12100F is the optimal choice for anyone building a dedicated gaming PC on a strict budget where a discrete graphics card is guaranteed. By saving $25 over the 12100, you can allocate those funds toward a better GPU, which will have a far greater impact on gaming frame rates than the integrated graphics you are giving up. Do not buy this processor if there is any chance you will need to run the system without a dedicated GPU, as a missing or failed graphics card will render the computer completely unusable.
Read the full reviewA solid mid-range performer that was the go-to recommendation for mainstream PC builders in 2013-2014, but its four-thread limitation and DDR3 platform make it impractical for modern workloads.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in an existing LGA 1150 system where motherboard reuse is necessary
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-12100F or Intel Core i5-4570?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-12100F 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 is faster for gaming, Intel Core i3-12100F or Intel Core i5-4570?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-12100F leads with a gaming performance score of 64/100 among Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-4570.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-12100F has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-12100F (58 W), Intel Core i5-4570 (84 W).
Do Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-4570 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-12100F: LGA 1700, Intel Core i5-4570: LGA 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-12100F posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-12100F (8,400), Intel Core i5-4570 (4,310). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.