Intel Atom P5342 vs Intel Core i3-12100T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a remarkably consistent picture across all six Cinebench comparisons: the Intel Atom P5342 wins every single test, though by a narrow and uniform margin. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Atom P5342 scores 659 against the Core i3-12100T's 622, a 5.6% advantage. Every other benchmark shows the same 5.7% delta, which suggests a systematic performance difference rather than workload-specific behavior.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Atom P5342 posts 1121 points versus 1057 for the Core i3-12100T. The single-core R15 test follows the same pattern: 158 for the Atom, 149 for the Core i3. Moving to R20, the Atom extends its lead to 4671 against 4405 in multi-core, while single-core shows 659 against 622. The R23 results continue the trend: the Atom scores 11122 in multi-core compared to 10490 for the Core i3, and 1570 in single-core versus 1481.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. Across five of the six tests, the margin sits at exactly 5.7%, with only the R20 single-core test slightly tighter at 5.6%. This uniformity indicates that the performance relationship between these two processors does not change meaningfully as the workload scales from single-threaded to multi-threaded rendering. The Atom P5342's 16 cores do not provide a dramatic multi-core advantage over the Core i3's 4 cores and 8 threads; instead, the Atom is modestly ahead across the board.

For Geekbench, the database includes results only for the Intel Core i3-12100T. That processor scores 6055 in multi-core and 1957 in single-core. No comparable Geekbench numbers exist for the Atom P5342 in the recorded data, so cross-processor comparison on that test cannot be made.

Looking at the broader database context, both processors sit at the 53rd percentile among all CPUs tracked. The Core i3-12100T carries an average benchmark score of 3277, with its nearest rivals being the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 at 3277 (0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E-2374G at 3278 (0% delta). The Intel Core i5-11500T trails slightly at 3288 with a 0.3% negative delta, while the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 sits at 3265 with a 0.4% positive delta for the Core i3.

The Atom P5342's average benchmark score is 3217. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE at 3218 (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U at 3218 (0% delta). The Intel Core i5-1240P scores 3202, giving the Atom a 0.5% edge, while the Intel Core i3-13100T scores 3198, putting the Atom 0.6% ahead.

The Verdict

Benchmark results indicate that the Intel Atom P5342 is the faster processor in every Cinebench test recorded. The margin is consistent at roughly 5.7%, which is meaningful but not transformative. Users prioritizing peak rendering performance in Cinebench workloads should select the Atom P5342 based strictly on these numbers.

However, the choice is not simply about raw speed. The Core i3-12100T carries a launch MSRP of $122, while the Atom P5342 lists at $708. That is a substantial difference, though pricing considerations are outside the scope of this analysis. The Core i3 also offers integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Atom has no integrated GPU. For systems requiring a display output without a discrete graphics card, the Core i3 is the only viable option between the two.

The Core i3-12100T targets the desktop market segment with an Intel Socket 1700, while the Atom P5342 is a server/workstation part on Intel BGA 2106. The Atom supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Core i3. For reliability-sensitive deployments, ECC support may outweigh the modest performance deficit.

The performance data shows both processors occupy the same percentile rank (53rd) among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by only 60 points (3277 versus 3217). Despite the Atom's consistent win in head-to-head Cinebench tests, the overall database averages suggest these are closely matched processors. The Atom P5342 wins every direct comparison, but the Core i3-12100T remains competitive in the broader context.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel families. The Core i3-12100T is built on Alder Lake architecture with the codename Alder Lake-S, part of the Core 12th Gen series. The Atom P5342 uses the Snow Ridge codename with Tremont architecture, belonging to the Atom generation.

Process technology is identical: both use Intel's 10 nm node. The Core i3-12100T has a die size of 163 mm², while the Atom P5342's die size is not recorded in the database.

Core counts differ dramatically. The Core i3-12100T has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Atom P5342 has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Atom has no hyper-threading, meaning each of its 16 cores handles a single thread. The Core i3's 4 physical cores each support two threads.

Clock speeds show an interesting contrast. Both processors share a base clock of 2.20 GHz. However, the Core i3-12100T boosts to 4.10 GHz, while the Atom P5342 has no recorded boost clock. This explains why the Atom's 16 cores only manage a 5.7% multi-core advantage over the Core i3's 4 cores: the Core i3's much higher boost clock compensates for its lower core count.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The Core i3-12100T provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Atom P5342 offers 64 KB of L1 per core and 4.5 MB of L2 per module, with no L3 cache recorded. The Core i3's larger per-core L1 and shared L3 cache likely contribute to its competitive single-thread performance despite the core count disadvantage.

Power consumption figures are recorded for both parts. The Core i3-12100T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Atom P5342 draws 71 watts. The Atom consumes more than double the power of the Core i3, yet delivers only a 5.7% performance advantage in the tested workloads.

Memory support also diverges. The Core i3-12100T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The Atom P5342 supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Core i3's memory bandwidth is not listed in the database.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count. The Core i3-12100T offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Atom P5342 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core i3's newer PCIe generation and additional lanes give it an advantage for high-speed expansion devices.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i3-12100T carries part number SRL64, while the Atom P5342 uses SRL3T. The Atom's release date is recorded as June 5, 2022; no release date exists for the Core i3 in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Atom P5342 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. In R15, it scores 1121 versus 1057. In R20, it scores 4671 versus 4405. In R23, it scores 11122 versus 10490. The margin is consistently 5.7%.

Q: Does the Core i3-12100T have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Core i3-12100T includes UHD Graphics 730. The Atom P5342 has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A), so it requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The Core i3-12100T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Atom P5342 has a TDP of 71 watts. The Atom consumes more than twice the power of the Core i3.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Atom P5342 supports ECC memory, while the Core i3-12100T does not. This makes the Atom more suitable for error-correcting memory environments.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Core i3-12100T averages 3277, matching the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 exactly and the Intel Xeon E-2374G at 3278. The Atom P5342 averages 3217, matching the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE and AMD Ryzen 7 4800U at 3218.

Q: What socket types do these processors use?

A: The Core i3-12100T uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Atom P5342 uses Intel BGA 2106. The Core i3 is a desktop socketed part, whereas the Atom is a ball-grid array package typically soldered to the motherboard.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Atom P5342 wins every recorded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its advantages span all Cinebench versions and both single-core and multi-core tests. The data shows a 5.7% edge in R15 multi-core (1121 versus 1057), R15 single-core (158 versus 149), R20 multi-core (4671 versus 4405), R23 multi-core (11122 versus 10490), and R23 single-core (1570 versus 1481). The R20 single-core test shows a slightly smaller 5.6% margin (659 versus 622).

For multi-threaded rendering workloads, the Atom's 16 physical cores provide the winning margin, though the boost clock deficit of the Core i3 is compensated by its higher per-core frequency. The Atom P5342 also wins in environments requiring ECC memory support, a feature the Core i3 lacks entirely.

The Intel Core i3-12100T wins in scenarios where integrated graphics are necessary. Its UHD Graphics 730 provides display output without a discrete GPU, which the Atom cannot offer. The Core i3 also wins on power efficiency: at 35 watts TDP versus 71 watts for the Atom, the Core i3 delivers nearly equivalent performance at half the power draw.

The Core i3-12100T supports DDR5 memory in addition to DDR4, giving it a path to newer memory technology. Its PCIe Gen 5 interface with 20 lanes exceeds the Atom's PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, making the Core i3 preferable for systems with high-bandwidth PCIe devices.

In the broader database context, the Core i3-12100T's average benchmark score of 3277 places it slightly above the Atom P5342's 3217. Despite losing all head-to-head tests, the Core i3's overall average is 60 points higher, driven by its Geekbench results of 6055 multi-core and 1957 single-core, which have no Atom counterpart in the records.

For desktop users building a system with integrated graphics, low power consumption, and modern platform features, the Core i3-12100T is the appropriate choice. For server or workstation deployments where ECC memory, higher core counts, and consistent multi-threaded performance matter more than power efficiency or graphics output, the Atom P5342 justifies its position despite the modest performance edge.