AMD Ryzen 3 210 vs Intel Core i3-12100E Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Core i3-12100E wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 3 210 takes 5. The Intel part holds a consistent, narrow lead across all Cinebench workloads, with deltas of roughly 3.2% in every render test. The AMD chip, however, counters with a 7.7% win in single-thread Passmark and a commanding 17.3% advantage in random string sorting. The overall average benchmark scores are close: the Ryzen 3 210 posts 17321 against the Core i3-12100E’s 16853, a difference of about 2.7%. The percentile rankings also favor AMD slightly, with the Ryzen 3 210 sitting at the 71st percentile versus the Intel part’s 70th.

The verdict depends on workload priority. For users focused on rendering, physics simulation, or integer-heavy tasks, the Core i3-12100E is the stronger pick based on the data. For those who need fast single-thread responsiveness, encryption throughput, or sorting operations, the Ryzen 3 210 has the edge. The Core i3-12100E is a desktop part with a launch MSRP of $125, while the Ryzen 3 210 is a mobile processor with no recorded launch MSRP. The choice, therefore, also hinges on platform: Socket 1700 for Intel versus Socket FP7 for AMD.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-12100E dominates the multi-threaded and floating-point arenas. Its wins include all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) in both single and multi-core tests. The largest Intel victories come in Passmark physics, where it leads by 44.3% (1185 versus 821), and floating-point math, where it is 35% ahead (31919 versus 23649). It also wins integer math by 7.8% (40885 versus 37933), multithread by 5% (14271 versus 13585), and prime number finding by 28.6% (63 versus 49). Data compression also favors Intel, with a 5.3% edge (160112 versus 152017).

The AMD Ryzen 3 210 wins in five specific areas. Its most significant victory is random string sorting, where it scores 19454 against Intel’s 16089, a 17.3% lead. It also takes single-thread Passmark by 7.7% (3724 versus 3438). Data encryption goes to AMD by 6.3% (8607 versus 8069), and extended instructions by 5.7% (11464 versus 10814). These wins point to a processor that excels in memory-access patterns and cryptographic workloads, while lagging in raw compute throughput.

The pattern is revealing. Intel wins where raw ALU and FPU throughput matters, particularly in physics and floating-point math. AMD wins where memory latency and instruction-level parallelism matter more, such as sorting and encryption. The Cinebench results, which are heavily dependent on sustained multi-core performance, all go to Intel, suggesting better sustained load behavior in the desktop part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-12100E uses Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 10 nm process with a 163 mm² die. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, with PCIe Gen 5 and 20 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730, and the TDP is 60 watts.

The AMD Ryzen 3 210 uses Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Hawk Point, built on TSMC’s 4 nm process with 137 mm² die and 20,900 million transistors. It also has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The cache is smaller: 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 only, dual-channel, with a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics are Radeon 740M, and the TDP is notably lower at 28 watts.

The node advantage goes to AMD, with a 4 nm process versus Intel’s 10 nm, which likely explains the higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz against Intel’s 4.20 GHz. However, the Intel part has more cache at every level, particularly 12 MB of shared L3 versus 8 MB. The transistor count is only recorded for AMD, at 20,900 million, which reflects the denser TSMC process. The Intel part is desktop-oriented with a 60 W TDP, while AMD’s part is mobile-oriented with a 28 W TDP, despite both being active production parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 wins Passmark single-thread by 7.7% (3724 versus 3438). However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core i3-12100E leads by 3.2% (1631 versus 1581). The results depend on the benchmark.

Q: Which processor is better for rendering workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E wins all three Cinebench versions in both single and multi-core tests, with deltas of 3.2% in each case. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 11559 for Intel versus 11198 for AMD.

Q: How do the memory support options differ?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 3 210 supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD part records a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while Intel’s bandwidth is not recorded.

Q: Which processor has faster data encryption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 wins Passmark data encryption by 6.3% (8607 versus 8069). This is one of the five benchmarks where AMD takes the lead.

Q: What are the cache size differences?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The AMD Ryzen 3 210 has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Intel has a larger cache at every level.

Q: Which processor is more efficient in power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 210 has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Intel Core i3-12100E has a TDP of 60 watts. The AMD part consumes less power according to the recorded TDP figures.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest Intel wins are striking. In Passmark physics, the Core i3-12100E scores 1185 against the Ryzen 3 210’s 821, a 44.3% lead. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. Floating-point math follows closely, with Intel at 31919 versus 23649, a 35% advantage. Prime number finding also goes heavily to Intel, 63 versus 49, a 28.6% difference. These three wins show Intel’s strength in computational throughput tasks.

The Cinebench results are consistent but narrower. Across all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, single and multi-core), Intel wins by exactly 3.2% in five cases and 3.1% in R15 single-core. The scores are close: Cinebench R23 multi-core is 11559 versus 11198, R20 multi-core is 4854 versus 4703, and R15 multi-core is 1164 versus 1128. The single-core variants show similar margins: R23 single-core 1631 versus 1581, R20 single-core 685 versus 664, and R15 single-core 164 versus 159. This consistency suggests a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The AMD wins are fewer but significant in their own right. Random string sorting is the standout, with AMD at 19454 versus Intel’s 16089, a 17.3% lead. This is a memory-bound workload, and the Ryzen 3 210’s higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz likely contributes. Single-thread Passmark gives AMD a 7.7% win (3724 versus 3438), and data encryption goes to AMD by 6.3% (8607 versus 8069). Extended instructions also favor AMD by 5.7% (11464 versus 10814). These wins suggest that AMD’s Zen 4 architecture handles certain instruction patterns and memory access patterns more efficiently.

The multithread Passmark test shows Intel ahead by 5% (14271 versus 13585), while integer math goes to Intel by 7.8% (40885 versus 37933). Data compression favors Intel by 5.3% (160112 versus 152017). The overall wins tally is 12 for Intel and 5 for AMD, but the average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story: the Ryzen 3 210 averages 17321, which is higher than the Core i3-12100E’s 16853. This discrepancy comes from the fact that the average includes all recorded benchmarks, and AMD’s wins are in areas that may be weighted differently in the aggregate.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification except core count and threads. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, but the base clocks differ: Intel runs at 3.20 GHz, AMD at 3.00 GHz. The boost clocks reverse the order, with AMD reaching 4.70 GHz against Intel’s 4.20 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: Intel draws 60 watts, AMD only 28 watts.

The manufacturing process is different: Intel uses 10 nm from its own foundry, while AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC. The die sizes reflect this: Intel’s is 163 mm², AMD’s is 137 mm². Only AMD has a recorded transistor count of 20,900 million. Cache sizes differ at every level: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core versus 64 KB, 1.25 MB L2 per core versus 1 MB, and 12 MB shared L3 versus 8 MB.

Memory support diverges: Intel accepts both DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel buses, but AMD records a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s while Intel’s is not recorded. PCIe generation and lane counts also differ: Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes, AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes. The integrated graphics are different: UHD Graphics 730 for Intel, Radeon 740M for AMD.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1700, AMD uses Socket FP7. The market segments are different, with Intel as a desktop part and AMD as a mobile part. Release dates are recorded as 2022 for Intel and 2025 for AMD. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $125, while AMD has no recorded launch MSRP. The part numbers are SRL6U for Intel and 100-000001612 for AMD. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are marked as active production parts.