The Intel Core i3-14100 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in eight out of fourteen evaluated specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is its L2 cache, which is 150% larger than that of the alternative. While the Intel Core i7-10700K holds its own in specific areas, the superior cache capacity of the i3-14100 provides a clear edge in overall architectural efficiency across the majority of the measured categories.

Users prioritizing modern architecture and the efficiency gains provided by the significantly larger L2 cache should select the Intel Core i3-14100. Conversely, the Intel Core i7-10700K remains the appropriate choice for those who require a higher total core count, as it offers a 100% advantage in that specific metric. Your decision should depend on whether your workload benefits more from the cache-heavy design of the newer model or the increased core density of the older unit.