Check if the i3 12100F can support your needs for several years ahead.
Check if the i3 12100F can support your needs for several years ahead.
I currently own an i5 7600k with 1060 3gb RAM. My computer has been having trouble running most games over the past few years, so I decided to make some changes. I recently bought a used 6600 for around $200. I was thinking about pairing it with an i5 12400f for $167. I think this setup would help me stay ahead for several years and allow me to upgrade my graphics card later. Checking benchmarks suggests the i3 12100f offers similar performance at a lower cost, around $60-70 less. Will this CPU be sufficient for 1080p AAA games for another 3 to 5 years? I play many demanding titles like Rust, BF2042, Arma 3, and Borderlands. My instinct is that four cores won’t be enough in a few years, so I’ll probably need to upgrade both the CPU and GPU again soon. I don’t plan to replace my monitor anytime soon, so I’ll likely stick with 1080p. My choice of Intel is mainly because it’s slightly cheaper than AMD right now, and the LGA 1700 socket could let me upgrade to at least another generation of CPUs, whereas AM4 is no longer supported. I’m open to AMD though, so I’d appreciate everyone’s thoughts.
LGA1700 is also largely out of use. The 14th generation will use a different socket. In 3 to 5 years you'll only be able to upgrade to a 13th generation, which will be outdated—poor quality and difficult to find new parts for. You'll get better deals on budget builds using AM4.
It seems you're hoping to find a better deal on a 5600X and MMO for just a few extra pounds.
It comes down to the GPU you plan to replace later. I currently use a 12400 with an RX 6800 XT for demanding games, which causes bottlenecks at 1440p Ultra. As games get more cores, having fewer cores becomes a drawback—especially compared to consoles with eight-core processors. If you can afford it, go with the 12400 and upgrade your GPU later. Otherwise, a 12100 should suffice.
When budget is tight and you're weighing Core i3 versus i5, AM5 isn't worth considering right now because it would require expensive DDR5 and AM5 components that are still costly. I wouldn't rule out AM4 entirely if the rumors hold true—it could be a step up to 12th or 14th generation support. This shouldn't matter much for your future plans, as new sockets will likely appear within a few years.
Choosing Intel provides flexibility with a board supporting DDR4 RAM, offering cost savings. For gaming, an i5 is recommended, especially with six cores for AAA titles in the coming years as newer APIs enable more cores. The i3 works well for quick tasks but isn’t ideal for long-term performance. You might consider upgrading to a 13000 series processor later when funds allow.
Consider the Ryzen 5600 (non X) for better performance in games compared to the 12100F. It offers two additional cores and should match the platform price after costs are considered.
Most recent reports suggest a Raptor Lake Refresh is underway: several sources detail this development. The information comes from various tech outlets covering Intel's roadmap updates and leaks. It appears there are no references to desktop Meteor Lake chips in the released plans, indicating a possible shift toward mobile-only designs.