The Intel Core i9-14900 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory across the majority of measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is a 540% larger L2 cache compared to the alternative. While the Intel Core i3-12100F holds its own in specific categories, the superior cache capacity of the i9-14900 establishes it as the more robust component based on the provided data.

Users prioritizing maximum hardware specifications should choose the Intel Core i9-14900 to leverage its substantial L2 cache advantage. Conversely, the Intel Core i3-12100F is the logical selection for those focused on the MSRP, where it maintains an 82% advantage over the i9-14900. Your decision should depend on whether you value the raw technical capacity of the higher-tier processor or the significant cost-related benefit offered by the entry-level model.