The Intel Core i9-14900 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in seven of the fourteen evaluated specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is the L2 cache, which is 540% larger than that of the Intel Core i3-12100F. While the latter holds its own in three categories and leads in four, the substantial cache capacity of the former represents the most impactful performance-oriented difference between these two processors.

Users prioritizing maximum cache capacity for demanding computational tasks should select the Intel Core i9-14900. Conversely, the Intel Core i3-12100F is the superior choice for buyers focused on the MSRP, where it maintains an 82% advantage over the alternative. Choosing between these two components depends entirely on whether your primary requirement is the expanded cache architecture of the higher-tier model or the significant cost-efficiency offered by the entry-level option.