The Intel Core i7-14700 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in eight of the sixteen evaluated categories. Its most significant technical advantage over the Intel Core i3-12100F is its L2 cache, which is 460% larger. While the Intel Core i3-12100F maintains a lead in four categories, the Intel Core i7-14700 demonstrates superior hardware specifications across the majority of the measured fields, establishing it as the more capable component in this head-to-head assessment.

Users prioritizing maximum hardware capacity and the substantial L2 cache advantage should select the Intel Core i7-14700 for their build. Conversely, the Intel Core i3-12100F is the appropriate choice for budget-conscious buyers, as it offers a 71% better MSRP compared to its counterpart. By weighing the importance of the cache capacity against the significant difference in MSRP, users can determine which component aligns best with their specific financial and technical requirements.