Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark average?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E records an average benchmark score of 37829, while the Intel Core 3 100U scores 16148. The Core 5 211E holds an 86th percentile ranking among all CPUs, whereas the Core 3 100U sits at the 70th percentile.

Q: Which processor wins the majority of head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 3 100U wins only 2 tests, specifically PassMark find prime numbers and PassMark physics.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each part?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How large is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 211E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, exactly double the Core 3 100U.

Q: What memory bandwidth does the Core 5 211E support?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E supports 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Core 3 100U has no memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 211E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 3 100U does not support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 3 100U uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, while the Intel Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename. Both processors are built on Intel's 10 nm process node and both are fabricated by Intel. The Core 3 100U has a die size that is not recorded in the database, whereas the Core 5 211E has a die size of 257 mm².

The core configurations differ substantially. The Core 3 100U provides 6 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 5 211E provides 10 cores and 16 threads. This accounts for the large multicore performance gap between the two. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core for both parts. The L2 cache differs, with the Core 3 100U using 1.25 MB per core and the Core 5 211E using 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 10 MB shared on the Core 3 100U versus 20 MB shared on the Core 5 211E.

Memory support is similar in that both accept DDR4 and DDR5, and both use a dual-channel memory bus. The Core 5 211E has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Core 3 100U has no bandwidth figure listed. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Core 5 211E.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count. The Core 3 100U provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Core 5 211E provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This represents a notable platform-level advantage for the Core 5 211E in terms of both bandwidth and expansion capacity.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 3 100U uses UHD Graphics 64EU, while the Core 5 211E uses UHD Graphics 730. The market segments differ as well: the Core 3 100U is a mobile part, while the Core 5 211E is a desktop part. The sockets reflect this split, with the Core 3 100U using Intel BGA 1744 and the Core 5 211E using Intel Socket 1700.

The base clock of the Core 3 100U is 1.20 GHz, while the Core 5 211E has a base clock of 2.70 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the Core 3 100U reaching 4.70 GHz and the Core 5 211E reaching 4.90 GHz. The TDP values differ sharply: 15 W for the Core 3 100U versus 65 W for the Core 5 211E. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 211E dominates the Cinebench suite in both single-core and multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 5 211E scores 2055 against 1070 for the Core 3 100U, a 47.9% deficit for the Core 3 100U. The single-core R15 result is similar: 289 for the Core 5 211E versus 150, a 48.1% gap. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 8563 versus 4462, again a 47.9% deficit. The R20 single-core test records 1208 against 629, also 47.9% behind. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the pattern: 20389 versus 10624, a 47.9% gap. The R23 single-core test shows 2878 against 1499, another 47.9% deficit.

PassMark tests reveal even larger gaps in some workloads. Data compression shows the Core 5 211E at 346757 versus 136497, a 60.6% deficit for the Core 3 100U. Data encryption records 17938 versus 8128, a 54.7% gap. Extended instructions score 21592 versus 7894, a 63.4% deficit, the largest single margin in the comparison. Floating point math shows 66402 versus 28322, a 57.3% gap. Integer math records 88117 versus 39580, a 55.1% deficit. Random string sorting scores 34308 versus 15191, a 55.7% gap. The multithread test shows 23833 versus 12522, a 47.5% deficit.

Single-thread performance is closer but still favors the Core 5 211E. The PassMark single-thread test records 4006 for the Core 5 211E against 3506 for the Core 3 100U, a 12.5% gap. This is the smallest proportional difference among the Core 5 211E victories.

The Intel Core 3 100U wins two tests. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 52 against 43 for the Core 5 211E, a 20.9% advantage. In PassMark physics, it scores 876 against 702, a 24.8% advantage. These wins are isolated to specific workloads and do not offset the broad multicore and throughput superiority of the Core 5 211E.

The nearest rival data places each processor in different competitive tiers. The Core 3 100U's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-10850H with an average score of 16204 and a 0.3% delta, the Intel Core i5-10600KF at 16228 with a 0.5% delta, the Intel Core i7-1260U at 16320 with a 1.1% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H at 16341 with a 1.2% delta. The Core 5 211E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 at 37804 with a 0.1% delta, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 at 37762 with a 0.2% delta, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at 37904 with a 0.2% delta, and the Intel Core i9-14901E at 37911 with a 0.2% delta. The Core 5 211E sits in a much higher performance class.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clock is 1.20 GHz for the Core 3 100U and 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 211E. Boost clock is 4.70 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. TDP is 15 W versus 65 W.

The socket types differ: Intel BGA 1744 for the Core 3 100U and Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 5 211E. The codename differs: Raptor Lake-U versus Bartlett Lake. The architecture is listed as Raptor Lake for the Core 3 100U, while the Core 5 211E has no architecture field recorded. The die size is not recorded for the Core 3 100U but is 257 mm² for the Core 5 211E.

Cache configuration differs in L2 and L3. Both use 80 KB L1 per core. L2 is 1.25 MB per core for the Core 3 100U and 2 MB per core for the Core 5 211E. L3 is 10 MB shared versus 20 MB shared.

Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the Core 5 211E at 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory support is present only on the Core 5 211E. PCIe differs: Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the Core 3 100U, Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 5 211E. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 64EU versus UHD Graphics 730. The market segment is Mobile for the Core 3 100U and Desktop for the Core 5 211E. Release dates differ, with the Core 3 100U released in January 2024 and the Core 5 211E in January 2025. The part numbers are SRMYL for the Core 3 100U and SRQERQ65F for the Core 5 211E.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 211E is the clear performance leader across nearly every recorded workload. Its 10 cores and 16 threads, combined with a 2.70 GHz base clock and 4.90 GHz boost clock, deliver more than double the multicore performance in Cinebench R23, where it scores 20389 versus 10624. The 20 MB L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache support heavily threaded workloads such as data compression, where the Core 5 211E scores 346757 versus 136497. Extended instructions also show a massive advantage, with a 63.4% deficit for the Core 3 100U. Integer math, floating point math, encryption, and random string sorting all favor the Core 5 211E by margins between 54.7% and 57.3%. Desktop users running rendering, scientific computation, encryption, or content creation will find the Core 5 211E substantially faster.

The Core 5 211E also leads in single-thread performance, though by a smaller margin. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4006 is 12.5% ahead of the Core 3 100U's 3506. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2878 versus 1499, a 47.9% gap. This means even lightly threaded applications generally perform better on the Core 5 211E. The PCIe Gen 5 support with 16 lanes and the 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth further extend its platform-level capabilities for desktop builds.

The Intel Core 3 100U wins in exactly two recorded tests. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 20.9% advantage, and PassMark physics shows a 24.8% advantage. These results indicate that the Core 3 100U has specific strengths in prime number calculation and physics simulation workloads, despite its lower core count and clock speeds. The 15 W TDP also positions it for mobile and low-power applications, where thermal and power constraints matter more than raw throughput. Its BGA 1744 socket and mobile market segment confirm that it is designed for laptops and compact systems. For users prioritizing power efficiency and portability, the Core 3 100U remains a viable option, but the recorded benchmark data shows that the Core 5 211E is the stronger processor in almost every measurable category.