AMD EPYC 9334 vs Intel Core i3-12100E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers an unambiguous verdict: the AMD EPYC 9334 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i3-12100E. In six Cinebench tests, the EPYC 9334 takes all six, with no wins recorded for the Intel part. The margins are not narrow; they are consistently in the 376 to 378 percent range, meaning the EPYC 9334 scores roughly 4.8 times higher in every test where both processors appear.

The multi-core results show the scale of the gap. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 9334 scores 5555 against 1164 for the Core i3-12100E, a delta of 377.2 percent. Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the pattern: 23146 versus 4854, a 376.8 percent advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core, often used as a sustained rendering workload, shows 55110 against 11559, again a 376.8 percent lead. These are not marginal wins; the EPYC 9334 is delivering between 4.7 and 4.8 times the multi-threaded performance of the Core i3-12100E across all three Cinebench versions.

Single-core results follow the same shape, which may surprise given the Core i3-12100E's higher clock speeds. The EPYC 9334 scores 784 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 164 for the Intel part, a 378 percent delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 3267 versus 685, a 376.9 percent lead. Cinebench R23 single-core records 7780 versus 1631, a 377 percent advantage. The EPYC 9334 wins single-core by nearly the same proportion as it wins multi-core, indicating that its architectural efficiency per thread more than compensates for any clock speed disadvantage.

The Core i3-12100E does have a range of PassMark and Geekbench results in the database, but the head-to-head table only includes Cinebench tests. Within those shared tests, there is no contest. The delta percentages hover almost identically around 377 percent for every test, which suggests the performance ratio is stable across different workload intensities and thread counts. The EPYC 9334 does not merely scale better with more cores; it is faster per thread as well in the recorded data.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows no benchmark category where the Intel Core i3-12100E beats the AMD EPYC 9334. Every shared test, whether single-core or multi-core, belongs to the EPYC 9334. The Core i3-12100E has additional benchmarks listed in the database, including Geekbench multi-core at 7661, Geekbench single-core at 2202, and PassMark tests covering integer math, floating point math, data compression, and encryption. These are not head-to-head comparisons, but they do provide context for the Intel processor's absolute capabilities.

For use cases, the EPYC 9334 is the clear choice for any workload that depends on raw CPU throughput. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 55110 places it in a performance tier that suits heavily threaded server and workstation tasks. The Core i3-12100E, with its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11559, operates in a different performance class entirely. The database shows both processors sit at the 70th percentile against all CPUs, but that aggregate percentile masks the enormous gap in the specific Cinebench tests shared between them.

The Core i3-12100E does have an integrated GPU, UHD Graphics 730, while the EPYC 9334 has no integrated graphics. For systems requiring a display output without a discrete GPU, the Intel part offers that capability. The EPYC 9334 also supports ECC memory, while the Core i3-12100E does not, which matters for certain reliability-sensitive server environments. The EPYC 9334 supports twelve-channel DDR5 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 460.8 GB/s; the Core i3-12100E supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 with no bandwidth figure recorded. Those memory differences translate into practical advantages for the EPYC 9334 in memory-bound workloads, though the head-to-head benchmark table does not directly measure memory performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD EPYC 9334 is built on Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Genoa, using a 5 nm process from TSMC. It packs 32 cores and 64 threads. The Intel Core i3-12100E uses Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, on Intel's 10 nm process, with 4 cores and 8 threads. The process node difference is significant: 5 nm versus 10 nm, which helps explain the EPYC 9334's performance-per-watt and density advantages.

The EPYC 9334's cache hierarchy is built for scale. It has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 128 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-12100E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 9334's L3 cache is more than ten times larger, which directly benefits workloads with large working sets. The EPYC 9334 also carries a transistor count of 52,560 million across a die size of 4x 72 mm², while the Core i3-12100E has a die size of 163 mm² with no transistor count recorded.

Memory architecture diverges sharply. The EPYC 9334 supports DDR5 exclusively with a twelve-channel memory bus and 460.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core i3-12100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and no bandwidth figure recorded. The EPYC 9334 also offers 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, versus 20 lanes for the Core i3-12100E. That difference in PCIe lane count is decisive for systems needing many high-speed expansion devices.

The socket and platform targets also differ completely. The EPYC 9334 uses AMD Socket SP5 and is classified as a Server/Workstation part. The Core i3-12100E uses Intel Socket 1700 and is classified as a Desktop part. The EPYC 9334 has a TDP of 210 watts, while the Core i3-12100E has a TDP of 60 watts. The EPYC 9334 was released in November 2022; the Core i3-12100E was released in January 2022. Both remain in active production. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 9334 has 32 cores and 64 threads. The Intel Core i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC 9334 scores 55110 versus 11559 for the Core i3-12100E, a 376.8 percent advantage. Similar gaps appear in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Does the Core i3-12100E win in single-core performance?

A: No. The EPYC 9334 wins every recorded single-core test, including Cinebench R23 single-core with 7780 versus 1631, a 377 percent lead, despite the Intel part's higher boost clock.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The EPYC 9334 supports DDR5 with a twelve-channel memory bus and 460.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i3-12100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Core i3-12100E includes UHD Graphics 730. The EPYC 9334 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The EPYC 9334 supports ECC memory. The Core i3-12100E does not.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. Core count: 32 versus 4. Thread count: 64 versus 8. Base clock: 2.70 GHz for the EPYC 9334 versus 3.20 GHz for the Core i3-12100E. Boost clock: 3.90 GHz versus 4.20 GHz. TDP: 210 watts versus 60 watts. Socket: AMD Socket SP5 versus Intel Socket 1700. Architecture: Zen 4 versus Alder Lake. Codename: Genoa versus Alder Lake-S. Process node: 5 nm from TSMC versus 10 nm from Intel.

Cache differs in both size and organization. The EPYC 9334 has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB shared L3. The Core i3-12100E has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The EPYC 9334's die size is recorded as 4x 72 mm² with 52,560 million transistors; the Core i3-12100E has a die size of 163 mm² with no transistor figure. Memory support: DDR5 only versus DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bus: twelve-channel versus dual-channel. Memory bandwidth: 460.8 GB/s recorded for the EPYC 9334, none recorded for the Core i3-12100E. ECC support: yes versus no. PCIe: 128 Gen 5 lanes versus 20 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics: none versus UHD Graphics 730. Market segment: Server/Workstation versus Desktop. Release date: November 2022 versus January 2022. Launch MSRP: the EPYC 9334 is listed at $2990, the Core i3-12100E at $125. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion for compute-bound workloads: the AMD EPYC 9334 is overwhelmingly faster than the Intel Core i3-12100E in every benchmark they share. The 32-core, 64-thread EPYC 9334 delivers roughly 377 percent higher scores across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests. Any workload that can use those threads, and many that cannot, will run far faster on the EPYC 9334.

The Intel Core i3-12100E has its own role. It draws 60 watts versus 210 watts, it supports DDR4 or DDR5 memory, it includes UHD Graphics 730 for systems without a discrete GPU, and it uses the mainstream Intel Socket 1700 platform. It is a desktop part with a 70th percentile standing against all CPUs, same as the EPYC 9334, but its absolute scores are far lower. For a system that needs a display output, low power draw, and modest single-socket performance, the Core i3-12100E is the practical choice.

For server or workstation deployment, the EPYC 9334 is the only defensible pick from these two. It brings ECC memory support, twelve-channel DDR5 bandwidth of 460.8 GB/s, 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, 128 MB of L3 cache, and a 5 nm process. The Core i3-12100E cannot match any of those platform-level capabilities. The verdict is straightforward: choose the EPYC 9334 for performance and platform features, choose the Core i3-12100E for integrated graphics, low power, and a desktop socket.