AMD Ryzen 5 4680U vs Intel Core i3-12100TE Comparison

The Intel Core i3-12100TE and AMD Ryzen 5 4680U represent two distinct philosophies for compact, efficient computing. The Intel chip is a desktop part designed for low-power all-in-one and mini-PC builds, while the AMD chip is a mobile processor aimed at ultrathin laptops. Benchmark results show a fascinating split: the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U dominates in older Cinebench R15 tests, while the Intel Core i3-12100TE takes the lead in the newer Cinebench R23 workload. With each processor winning two of the four head-to-head tests, the data suggests that the choice between them depends heavily on the specific application and workload generation.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data reveals a clear generational split in performance characteristics. The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U asserts its dominance in the Cinebench R15 tests, both multi-core and single-core. In the R15 multi-core test, the AMD chip scores 1291 against Intel's 862, a substantial margin of 33.2%. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern, with AMD's 170 points beating Intel's 121 by 28.8%. This suggests that for legacy applications and workloads optimized for older instruction sets, the Zen 2 architecture in the Ryzen 5 4680U holds a distinct advantage.

However, the tables turn completely when examining Cinebench R23 results. Here, the Intel Core i3-12100TE takes decisive victories. In the R23 multi-core test, Intel scores 8558 versus AMD's 7073, a 21% lead. The single-core R23 test is much closer but still favors Intel, with a score of 1208 against AMD's 1163, a 3.9% margin. This indicates that the Alder Lake architecture's newer microarchitecture and support for modern instruction sets provide a significant boost in contemporary rendering workloads. The data implies that the Intel chip is better suited for current software, while the AMD chip excels with legacy applications.

Analyzing the average benchmark scores puts the overall picture in perspective. The Intel Core i3-12100TE has an average score of 2475, placing it in the 49th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is not far behind with an average score of 2424, sitting in the 48th percentile. The closeness of these aggregate scores reinforces the notion that neither processor is a clear overall winner; their strengths are simply distributed across different types of tasks.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is fundamental. The Intel Core i3-12100TE is built on the Alder Lake architecture using a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel itself. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The chip has a 35 W TDP and uses the Intel Socket 1700. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. This desktop-oriented chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is a mobile processor built on the Zen 2 architecture, specifically the Renoir codename. It uses a 7 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, which is a more advanced manufacturing process than Intel's 10 nm node. The AMD chip packs more compute resources with 6 cores and 12 threads, running at a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its TDP is significantly lower at 15 W, reflecting its mobile focus. The chip uses the AMD Socket FP6 and features a different cache layout: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 8 MB L3 cache. It supports only LPDDR4 memory in dual-channel mode, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, and its PCIe interface is limited to Gen 3.

The transistor counts and die sizes tell a story of design priorities. The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U contains 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while the Intel Core i3-12100TE has a die size of 163 mm². This difference in transistor density is a direct result of the manufacturing process, with TSMC's 7 nm node allowing for a smaller die despite housing more transistors. The integrated graphics also differ, with Intel offering UHD Graphics 730 and AMD featuring Radeon Graphics with 448 SP. These architectural choices fundamentally shape the performance profiles observed in the benchmark data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test delivers the most decisive victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U. AMD's score of 1291 completely overshadows Intel's 862, representing a 33.2% advantage. This is a massive gap that suggests the AMD chip's additional 2 cores and 4 threads provide a substantial benefit in this particular workload. The Ryzen 5 4680U's 6-core, 12-thread configuration appears to scale much better in R15, which is an older benchmark that may not fully utilize the architectural improvements of Intel's Alder Lake design.

The Cinebench R15 single-core test follows the same trend, though with a smaller margin. AMD scores 170 against Intel's 121, a 28.8% difference. This result is particularly telling because single-core performance typically reflects the efficiency of the core microarchitecture itself. The Zen 2 cores in the Ryzen 5 4680U clearly outperformed the Alder Lake cores in this specific test, despite the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The data suggests that the benchmark's instruction set utilization favored AMD's design choices.

The tables turn dramatically in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Here, the Intel Core i3-12100TE scores 8558, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U manages 7073. Intel's 21% lead in this test demonstrates the significant architectural improvements in Alder Lake. Despite having fewer cores and threads, the Intel chip outperforms AMD in this modern rendering workload. The R23 benchmark likely takes advantage of newer AVX-512 instructions or other enhancements present in the Alder Lake architecture, allowing the 4-core Intel processor to surpass the 6-core AMD chip.

The Cinebench R23 single-core test is the closest contest of the four benchmarks. Intel edges out AMD with a score of 1208 versus 1163, a modest 3.9% advantage. This result shows that in single-threaded modern workloads, the Intel architecture has a slight but measurable edge. The performance differences across these four benchmarks paint a complex picture, with each processor winning decisively in one generation of the Cinebench suite while losing in the other.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100TE has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 2475, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U's 2424. This puts the Intel chip in the 49th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD chip sits in the 48th percentile.

Q: How do the core counts differ between these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-12100TE has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite this difference, the Intel chip wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, suggesting its architecture is more efficient in modern workloads.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these chips?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100TE has a TDP of 35 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has a significantly lower TDP of 15 W. This reflects the mobile focus of the AMD chip and the desktop orientation of the Intel chip.

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is the clear winner in this test, scoring 1291 compared to Intel's 862. This represents a 33.2% advantage for AMD, showcasing its strength in legacy multi-threaded workloads.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U uses a 7 nm process node from TSMC, while the Intel Core i3-12100TE uses a 10 nm process node from Intel. The AMD chip also contains 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while Intel's die size is 163 mm².

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100TE has a larger shared L3 cache of 12 MB, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger cache may contribute to Intel's better performance in the Cinebench R23 tests.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture that defies a simple recommendation. The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is the clear choice for users running legacy applications, as evidenced by its overwhelming victories in the Cinebench R15 tests. Its 33.2% lead in multi-core R15 and 28.8% lead in single-core R15 demonstrate that for older software, the AMD chip's 6-core, 12-thread configuration and Zen 2 architecture are simply more effective. This processor is likely the better option for those maintaining older productivity suites or using software that hasn't been updated for modern instruction sets.

The Intel Core i3-12100TE, however, is the superior choice for modern workloads. Its 21% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 3.9% lead in single-core indicate that Alder Lake's architectural improvements are fully realized in contemporary software. Despite having fewer cores, the Intel chip outperforms AMD in the newer benchmark, suggesting that its 12 MB L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory provide tangible benefits. For users running current rendering software, video editing tools, or modern games, the Intel processor offers better performance.

The production status of these chips also informs the decision. The Intel Core i3-12100TE is listed as Active, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is End-of-life. This means the Intel chip is still current and available for new builds, while the AMD chip is being phased out. The Intel chip also has a launch MSRP of $125, making it a viable option for new system builders. The AMD chip's mobile focus and lower 15 W TDP make it more suitable for laptop upgrades or specialized low-power applications, but its end-of-life status limits its appeal for new projects.

Specification Differences

The specifications of these two processors diverge significantly across nearly every category. The Intel Core i3-12100TE features 4 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 2.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U offers 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 2.20 GHz. Both chips share the same 4.00 GHz boost clock. The TDP ratings differ substantially, with Intel at 35 W and AMD at a much lower 15 W.

The cache architectures are notably different. Intel's Alder Lake chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. AMD's Renoir chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support also differs, with Intel supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while AMD supports only LPDDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

The manufacturing details reveal significant differences. Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry with a die size of 163 mm². AMD uses a 7 nm process from TSMC with a die size of 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors. The PCIe support differs as well, with Intel offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while AMD provides Gen 3. The integrated graphics are also different: Intel uses UHD Graphics 730, while AMD employs Radeon Graphics with 448 SP. Finally, the market segments differ, with Intel positioned as a Desktop processor on Socket 1700 and AMD as a Mobile processor on Socket FP6.