AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs Intel Core i3-12100F
Get the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G if you want powerful performance and integrated graphics for gaming. With 8 cores and the Radeon 780M, it’s designed for serious tasks and can handle 1080p gaming without needing a discrete GPU. Meanwhile, the Intel Core i3-12100F is the entry-level pick, boasting a low 58W power draw and PCIe 5.0 support, but it lacks integrated graphics. In real-world use, the Ryzen 7 8700G excels with its 4.2–5.1 GHz clock speeds and dedicated AI processing, making it ideal for multitasking and gaming. However, the i3-12100F's 4 cores are limited for heavy workloads, so you’ll need a separate GPU for any gaming. That said, if you care about saving power and need basic performance, the i3 is worth a look.
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AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Intel Core i3-12100F
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs Intel Core i3-12100F
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Intel Core i3-12100F
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 7 8700G | Intel Core i3-12100F |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(554)Amazon | ★4.7(1,621)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 4 (Ryzen 8000G Series / Hawk Point) | Alder Lake (12th Gen Intel Core) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) | LGA1700 |
Cores Threads | 8 Cores / 16 Threads | 4 Cores (4 Performance + 0 Efficient) / 8 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz Base / Up to 5.1 GHz Boost | 3.3 GHz Base / Up to 4.3 GHz Max Turbo |
Cache L2 L3 | 8 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (24 MB Total) | 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache (L3) + 5 MB L2 |
TDP Power | 65 W | 58 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 88 W (PPT) | 89 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | TSMC 4nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) |
Memory Support | DDR5-5200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 256 GB; ECC Support: No | DDR5-4800 MT/s / DDR4-3200 MT/s (Up to 128 GB) |
Memory Bandwidth Max | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~83.2 GB/s @ 5200 MT/s) | 76.8 GB/s |
Pcie Version | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 |
Pcie Lanes | 20 Total (16 Usable: x8 Graphics, 2x4 NVMe/General) | 20 (16 PCIe 5.0 + 4 PCIe 4.0) |
Igpu | AMD Radeon 780M (12 Compute Units, 2900 MHz) | No (F-Series; Discrete GPU Required) |
Instruction Features | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 | SSE4.1/4.2, AVX2, Intel 64, VT-x/VT-d, AES-NI |
Cooler Included | Yes (Wraith Spire) | Yes (Intel Laminar RM1) |
Max Temp | 95°C (203°F) TjMax | 100°C (212°F) Tjunction |
Notes Limits | Features 'Ryzen AI' NPU (16 TOPS). Monolithic design has less L3 cache than chiplet Ryzen 7000. Discrete GPU slot limited to PCIe 4.0 x8 speed (sufficient for most mid-range GPUs). | F-series requires a discrete graphics card. Excellent pairing with H610 or B660 chipsets for budget builds. |
Chipset Support | A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E | Intel 600 and 700 Series (H610, B660, H670, Z690, etc.) |
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AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
✓ Pros:
- • Best-in-class integrated graphics (Radeon 780M) capable of 1080p gaming
- • Includes dedicated NPU for local AI workloads (Ryzen AI)
- • Efficient 65W operation with included Wraith Spire cooler
✗ Cons:
- • PCIe 4.0 only (no PCIe 5.0) and reduced lane count (x8 for GPU)
- • Small L3 cache (16MB) limits performance with high-end discrete GPUs
- • ECC memory not supported (unlike standard Ryzen 7000/9000 CPUs)
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Intel Core i3-12100F
✓ Pros:
- • Superior single-core performance typically beating older flagships
- • Highly efficient 58W base power draw
- • Includes Intel Laminar RM1 cooler (adequate for this TDP)
- • Most affordable entry point for PCIe 5.0 support
✗ Cons:
- • Limited to 4 cores (struggles with heavy multi-threaded production workloads)
- • No integrated graphics (requires a discrete GPU)
- • Locked multiplier (overclocking not supported)
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Which one is better?
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the better buy for most people - its 8 cores and integrated Radeon 780M crush the Intel Core i3-12100F's capabilities. That said, grab the i3-12100F if you want to save money and only need basic performance for everyday tasks.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G if: you want to game at 1080p without a discrete GPU, need efficient multitasking for heavy applications, or plan to run local AI workloads.
Choose the Intel Core i3-12100F if: you’re building a budget system with a discrete GPU, want the latest PCIe 5.0 support, or prioritize low power consumption for light tasks.
Conclusion
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G and Intel Core i3-12100F are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G excels if you value best-in-class integrated graphics (radeon 780m) capable of 1080p gaming. Intel Core i3-12100F is better if you prioritize superior single-core performance typically beating older flagships. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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