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 is the L2 cache, which is 460% larger than that of the Intel Core i3-12100F. While the latter component holds its own in four categories, the superior cache capacity provides the former with a substantial architectural lead that defines its performance profile across the measured specifications.

Users prioritizing budget efficiency should select the Intel Core i3-12100F, as it offers a 71% advantage in MSRP compared to the alternative. Conversely, those who require the advanced technical capabilities provided by the significantly larger L2 cache should choose the Intel Core i7-14700. The decision rests on whether the user values the lower cost of the i3-12100F or the expanded cache resources found in the i7-14700.