13th Gen Core i9-13900K vs 12th Gen Core i3-12100F
Short answer: which is best?
13th Gen Core i9-13900K is 81.1 % stronger than 12th Gen Core i3-12100F. 13th Gen Core i9-13900K ranks #8 of 102 measured processors at WhatFPS (13,199 CPU score over 2 verified runs). 12th Gen Core i3-12100F ranks #59 of 102 measured processors at WhatFPS (7,289 CPU score over 1 verified runs). The numbers are measured in 3 verified WhatFPS runs — not estimated, not self-reported.
Measured comparison
| Metric | 13th Gen Core i9-13900K | 12th Gen Core i3-12100F |
|---|---|---|
| CPU score (the processor's own performance) | 13,199 | 7,289 |
| Best rig (GAMING — whole PC) | 10,782 | 4,358 |
| Integer (MT) | 12.5 Gop/s | 3.8 Gop/s |
| Single-thread (1T) | 0.88 Gop/s | 0.69 Gop/s |
| Draw calls/s (DX11) | 9,342,700 | 5,078,427 |
| Cores / threads | 24 / 32 | 4 / 8 |
| L3 cache | 36 MB | 12 MB |
Fragz' verdict
While both CPUs have a thin sample size of verified runs (one for the 12th Gen Core i3-12100F and two for the 13th Gen Core i9-13900K), the i9-13900K is the clear winner in this CPU showdown, leading the i3-12100F by a substantial 81.1% in overall CPU score. The i9-13900K’s higher core count of 24, 32 threads, larger 36 MB L3 cache, and a peak clock of 6119 MHz translate directly into superior performance, especially in single-thread operations at 0.88 Gop/s compared to the i3-12100F's 0.69 Gop/s, which is key for maximizing in-game FPS. It also dominates in multi-threaded tasks, delivering 12.5 Gop/s in integer performance versus 3.8 Gop/s, and pushing 9342700 draw calls per second, ensuring smoother gameplay and better handling of complex scenes. This translates to a significantly higher Supernova DX11 FPS of 77.9 compared to the i3’s 42.3. While the 13th Gen Core i9-13900K is built for ultimate performance, the 12th Gen Core i3-12100F, despite its limited verified runs, still offers a baseline experience for users who don't require the raw CPU power of a top-tier chip.
Generated October 31, 2026 from the 3 verified runs available then. The verdict is never silently rewritten — new numbers get a new verdict.
What the numbers mean
The CPU score is the processor's own performance — that is what we rank on. GAMING is the whole rig's score in the best PC we measured the processor in, and leans heavily on the graphics card. A strong processor in a weak PC gets a low GAMING score without being worse. We show both and never mix them.
All numbers come from our benchmark suite: four hand-built 3D scenes written directly against the graphics APIs in Rust, the same load on every PC. The methodology is open at https://whatfps.com/metodik
All measurements for 13th Gen Core i9-13900K · All measurements for 12th Gen Core i3-12100F