Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core i3-12100E Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record splits these two processors into a clear pattern: the Intel Core i3-12100E wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 3 100U takes only 3. That lopsided tally suggests the desktop part is the stronger all-around performer, but the specific wins for the mobile chip reveal where it holds its own.

The Core 3 100U wins in passmark data encryption, scoring 8128 against the i3-12100E's 8069, a modest 0.7% advantage. It also wins both passmark single-thread tests, posting 3506 versus 3438, a 2% edge. These are narrow victories, but they indicate that in lightly threaded, encryption-heavy workloads, the mobile chip's higher boost clock gives it a slight edge.

The i3-12100E, by contrast, dominates the multi-threaded and sustained workloads. Its wins include cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multi-core variants, with margins consistently around 8%. The gap widens considerably in passmark extended instructions, where the i3-12100E leads by 27%, and in passmark physics, where it leads by 26.1%. Data compression shows a 14.7% advantage for the desktop chip, while floating point math favors it by 11.3%.

The use-case split is straightforward. For users running short, single-threaded tasks or encryption workloads, the Core 3 100U is competitive. For anything involving sustained multi-core processing, extended instruction sets, or physics simulations, the i3-12100E is the clear choice. The data does not show a single test where the Core 3 100U wins by a large margin, while the i3-12100E wins by double digits in four separate tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures, which explains much of the performance gap. The Core 3 100U is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U variant, while the i3-12100E uses Alder Lake, the Alder Lake-S design. Both are fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process and produced by Intel, so the manufacturing node is identical. The die size differs, however: the i3-12100E measures 163 mm², while the Core 3 100U has no recorded die size in the database.

Core counts favor the mobile chip. The Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having two fewer physical cores, the desktop chip's higher clock speeds compensate. The Core 3 100U runs at a 1.20 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the i3-12100E starts at 3.20 GHz and boosts to 4.20 GHz. The desktop part's base clock is nearly three times higher, which matters for sustained workloads that keep the CPU at its rated speed.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share the same per-core L1 cache of 80 KB and per-core L2 cache of 1.25 MB, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i3-12100E at 12 MB versus 10 MB on the Core 3 100U. That extra 2 MB of L3 cache could contribute to the desktop chip's advantage in data-heavy tasks.

Memory support is identical: both support DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. The PCIe capabilities are notably different. The Core 3 100U offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-12100E provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives the desktop chip more than double the lane count and a newer generation for expansion.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 3 100U ships with UHD Graphics 64EU, while the i3-12100E uses UHD Graphics 730. The mobile chip's integrated graphics carries a higher EU count, which may benefit media tasks, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks for comparison.

The market segments and sockets reflect their intended platforms. The Core 3 100U is a mobile processor using Intel BGA 1744, while the i3-12100E is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700. Thermal design power also diverges sharply: 15 watts for the mobile chip versus 60 watts for the desktop chip. This 45-watt difference is likely a major factor in the performance gap, as the desktop part can sustain higher clocks under load.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points decisively to the Intel Core i3-12100E as the stronger processor for most workloads. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, including every cinebench benchmark and most passmark tests. The average benchmark score in the database is 16853 for the i3-12100E versus 16148 for the Core 3 100U, a difference of about 4.4%. Both processors sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is an outlier, but the desktop chip consistently delivers higher raw performance.

Who should pick the Core 3 100U? Users who prioritize low power consumption, a compact mobile platform, or the slightly higher single-thread score. The 15 watt TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops, and its 2% single-thread advantage in passmark suggests it handles lightly threaded tasks with comparable speed. The 4.70 GHz boost clock is the highest of either chip and explains that win.

Who should pick the i3-12100E? Anyone running multi-threaded applications, content creation workloads, or computationally intensive tasks. The cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11559 versus 10624 represents an 8.1% advantage, and the passmark physics score of 1185 versus 876 shows a 26.1% lead. The desktop chip also offers superior PCIe connectivity with Gen 5 and 20 lanes, which matters for expansion cards and storage. Its larger 12 MB L3 cache and higher base clock make it the better choice for sustained performance.

The verdict from the data is unambiguous: the i3-12100E is the higher-performing processor, while the Core 3 100U wins only in narrow, specific scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores, while the Intel Core i3-12100E has 4 cores. Both have 8 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U wins the passmark single-thread test with a score of 3506 versus 3438 for the i3-12100E, a 2% advantage. However, the i3-12100E wins all cinebench single-core tests by about 8%.

Q: How much faster is the i3-12100E in multi-core workloads?

A: In cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-12100E scores 11559 versus 10624 for the Core 3 100U, an 8.1% lead. The passmark multithread test shows a 12.3% advantage for the desktop chip.

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two processors?

A: The Core 3 100U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the i3-12100E has a TDP of 60 watts.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has better PCIe connectivity?

A: The i3-12100E offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 3 100U provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the i3-12100E comes in passmark extended instructions, where it scores 10814 against 7894, a 27% advantage. This test likely exercises AVX and other instruction set extensions, where the desktop chip's higher sustained clocks and larger cache prove decisive. The passmark physics test shows a similar pattern: 1185 versus 876, a 26.1% gap. Physics simulations often rely on floating-point throughput and memory latency, both of which favor the desktop part.

Data compression also heavily favors the i3-12100E, with a score of 160112 versus 136497, a 14.7% difference. This workload benefits from the 12 MB L3 cache and the higher base clock of 3.20 GHz. The passmark multithread test shows a 12.3% advantage (14271 versus 12522), and floating point math shows an 11.3% lead (31919 versus 28322).

The cinebench suite paints a consistent picture. Across R15, R20, and R23, the i3-12100E leads by 8.1% in multi-core tests and between 8.1% and 8.5% in single-core tests. For example, cinebench R15 multi-core scores are 1164 versus 1070, while R15 single-core is 164 versus 150. The consistency of these margins suggests a fundamental clock-speed and efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Core 3 100U's wins are smaller but real. Its passmark data encryption score of 8128 edges out the i3-12100E's 8069 by 0.7%. The single-thread passmark tests show a 2% advantage (3506 versus 3438). These are the only three tests where the mobile chip comes out ahead, and all are narrow margins.

The remaining tests fall in between. Integer math favors the i3-12100E by 3.2% (40885 versus 39580), random string sorting by 5.6% (16089 versus 15191), and find prime numbers by 17.5% (63 versus 52). The pattern is consistent: the desktop chip wins everywhere except encryption and single-thread passmark tests, and its margins grow larger in more demanding, sustained workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Core count: the Core 3 100U has 6 cores versus 4 cores for the i3-12100E. Base clock: 1.20 GHz for the Core 3 100U versus 3.20 GHz for the i3-12100E. Boost clock: 4.70 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, favoring the mobile chip. TDP: 15 watts versus 60 watts.

Socket and market segment differ entirely: Intel BGA 1744 for the mobile chip, Intel Socket 1700 for the desktop chip. The architecture is Raptor Lake-U versus Alder Lake-S, and the generation is listed as Core 3 (Raptor Lake-U) versus Core i3 (Alder Lake-S). The die size is recorded only for the i3-12100E at 163 mm².

Cache: L3 is 10 MB shared on the Core 3 100U versus 12 MB shared on the i3-12100E. L1 and L2 are identical at 80 KB per core and 1.25 MB per core respectively. PCIe: Gen 4 with 8 lanes versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 64EU versus UHD Graphics 730.

Release dates differ: the Core 3 100U launched on 2024-01-07, while the i3-12100E launched on 2022-01-03. The launch MSRP for the Core 3 100U is $426, and for the i3-12100E it is $125. Part numbers are SRMYL for the Core 3 100U and SRL6U for the i3-12100E. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.