Intel Core 3 100HL vs Intel Core i5-12500H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents an unusually one-sided comparison. The Intel Core i5-12500H wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 3 100HL claims only 2 wins, both in the same PassMark single-thread test. The Core i5-12500H is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute performance across rendering, encryption, compression, and physics workloads. Its advantage is consistent and often large, ranging from 8.8% in PassMark physics to 24.7% across the Cinebench suite. The Core 3 100HL, however, demonstrates a meaningful single-thread edge in PassMark testing, scoring 9.3% higher than the Core i5-12500H in that specific metric. For workloads that rely heavily on single-threaded PassMark performance, the Core 3 100HL offers a measurable benefit. Yet the overall average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the Core 3 100HL averages 23545 across all tests, while the Core i5-12500H averages 22625. This is a curious inversion, as the Core i5-12500H wins the vast majority of individual tests but has a lower average score, likely due to the weighting of the single-thread results. The data suggests the Core i5-12500H is the superior all-around processor for multi-threaded and most single-threaded tasks, while the Core 3 100HL is a niche pick for specific single-threaded PassMark scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-12500H dominates every Cinebench workload, both single-core and multi-core. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 19840 against the Core 3 100HL's 14948, a 24.7% margin. The same 24.7% delta appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1999 vs 1506) and R20 multi-core (8332 vs 6278). Even in single-core Cinebench tests, the Core i5-12500H leads by the same 24.7% margin, scoring 2801 versus 2110 in R23 single-core. This consistency across all six Cinebench tests indicates a fundamental performance advantage in that benchmark suite. The Core i5-12500H also wins all PassMark workloads except single-thread. Its PassMark data compression score of 253431 is 20.2% higher than the Core 3 100HL's 202225. Data encryption shows an 18.9% lead (14749 vs 11964), and integer math shows a 21.5% lead (71714 vs 56308). Floating point math, extended instructions, find prime numbers, random string sorting, multithread, and physics all favor the Core i5-12500H by margins between 8.8% and 19.4%. The Core 3 100HL's only wins are in the PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, where it scores 3735 against the Core i5-12500H's 3418, a 9.3% advantage. This suggests the Core 3 100HL has a stronger single-thread PassMark profile despite losing single-core Cinebench by a wide margin, an interesting divergence worth investigating.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The Core 3 100HL uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS codename, while the Core i5-12500H uses Alder Lake, with the Alder Lake-H codename. Both are built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The core configurations differ substantially: the Core 3 100HL has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i5-12500H has 12 cores and 16 threads. This core and thread advantage likely explains the Core i5-12500H's multi-core dominance. The cache layouts also differ. The Core 3 100HL has 2 MB of L2 cache per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i5-12500H has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core but a larger 18 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The larger L3 cache on the Core i5-12500H may contribute to its performance in cache-sensitive workloads. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 3 100HL features Iris Xe Graphics with 48 execution units, while the Core i5-12500H has Iris Xe with 80 execution units. The Core i5-12500H's graphics solution is more robust on paper. Socket and platform details also separate them. The Core 3 100HL uses Intel Socket 1700 and is classified as a desktop part, while the Core i5-12500H uses Intel BGA 1744 and is a mobile processor. PCIe lane counts differ significantly: the Core 3 100HL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i5-12500H provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Core i5-12500H also reports a die size of 217 mm², while the Core 3 100HL does not report a die size. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. The Core i5-12500H has a known part number (SRLCY), while the Core 3 100HL's part number is unknown. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 3 100HL has a release date of April 2024 and is listed as Active in production, while the Core i5-12500H has no recorded release date but is also Active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500H has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 3 100HL has 8 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12500H scores 19840 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 24.7% higher than the Intel Core 3 100HL's score of 14948.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel Core 3 100HL wins?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 3 100HL wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3735, which is 9.3% higher than the Intel Core i5-12500H's score of 3418.

Q: What are the cache differences between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core 3 100HL has 2 MB of L2 cache per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-12500H has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core.

Q: What integrated graphics do each processor feature?

A: The Intel Core 3 100HL features Iris Xe Graphics with 48 execution units, while the Intel Core i5-12500H features Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units.

Q: Are both processors built on the same process node?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 3 100HL and the Intel Core i5-12500H are built on a 10 nm process node at Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite reveals a uniform 24.7% advantage for the Intel Core i5-12500H across all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i5-12500H scores 1999 versus the Core 3 100HL's 1506. The R15 single-core test shows 282 versus 212. R20 multi-core yields 8332 versus 6278, and R20 single-core yields 1176 versus 886. R23 multi-core shows 19840 versus 14948, and R23 single-core shows 2801 versus 2110. The consistency of the 24.7% delta across both single and multi-core tests is striking; it suggests a fundamental per-thread performance difference rather than a scaling advantage alone. The PassMark suite tells a more varied story. The largest PassMark win for the Core i5-12500H is in data compression, where it scores 253431 against 202225, a 20.2% margin. Integer math follows with a 21.5% lead (71714 vs 56308). Data encryption shows an 18.9% lead (14749 vs 11964), and floating point math shows a 19.4% lead (52227 vs 42108). Random string sorting favors the Core i5-12500H by 17.4% (28099 vs 23223). Extended instructions show a 16.7% lead (14965 vs 12463). The smallest PassMark multi-threaded margin is in physics, where the Core i5-12500H wins 1018 versus 928, an 8.8% lead. Find prime numbers shows a 15.8% lead (57 vs 48), and multithread shows a 14.7% lead (20625 vs 17586). The only reversal comes in PassMark single-thread, where the Core 3 100HL wins 3735 versus 3418, a 9.3% margin. This single result is the sole counterpoint to an otherwise complete sweep. The average benchmark scores, however, put the Core 3 100HL slightly ahead at 23545 versus 22625 for the Core i5-12500H, a 4.1% difference in favor of the Core 3 100HL. This discrepancy between the head-to-head results and the average scores is notable, and it likely reflects the influence of the PassMark single-thread result and the distribution of workload types in the average calculation.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. Core and thread counts differ: the Intel Core 3 100HL has 8 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-12500H has 12 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ, with the Core 3 100HL running at 2.10 GHz and the Core i5-12500H at 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks are closer: the Core 3 100HL boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Core i5-12500H boosts to 4.50 GHz. The socket types are different: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 3 100HL versus Intel BGA 1744 for the Core i5-12500H. Architecture and codename differ as well, with Raptor Lake and Raptor Lake-PS on the Core 3 100HL, and Alder Lake and Alder Lake-H on the Core i5-12500H. The L2 cache per core is 2 MB on the Core 3 100HL versus 1.25 MB on the Core i5-12500H, while the shared L3 cache is 12 MB on the Core 3 100HL versus 18 MB on the Core i5-12500H. The integrated graphics differ: Iris Xe Graphics 48EU on the Core 3 100HL versus Iris Xe 80EU on the Core i5-12500H. PCIe support differs, with the Core 3 100HL offering Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only) and the Core i5-12500H offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The market segment is Desktop for the Core 3 100HL and Mobile for the Core i5-12500H. The Core 3 100HL has a release date of April 2024, while the Core i5-12500H has no recorded release date. The die size is reported only for the Core i5-12500H at 217 mm². The part number is unknown for the Core 3 100HL, while the Core i5-12500H has part number SRLCY. Both processors share identical characteristics in several fields: 80 KB L1 cache per core, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC memory support, 45 W TDP, 10 nm process node, Intel as foundry, locked multipliers, and Active production status.