Intel Core 3 201E vs Intel Core i5-12400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core 3 201E and the Intel Core i5-12400 is heavily one-sided in aggregate, but the Core 3 201E does claim a few notable single-thread and specialized victories. Out of 17 head-to-head tests, the Core i5-12400 wins 14, while the Core 3 201E wins 3.

The Core i5-12400 dominates every Cinebench workload. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-12400 scores 15989 against 12613 for the Core 3 201E, a 21.1% advantage. The same 21.1% delta appears across Cinebench R15 multi-core (1611 vs 1271), R15 single-core (227 vs 179), R20 multi-core (6715 vs 5297), R20 single-core (947 vs 747), and R23 single-core (2257 vs 1780). This consistency suggests the i5-12400 holds a uniform performance edge across rendering workloads, regardless of thread count or test generation.

PassMark results follow a similar pattern, though the margins vary. The largest gap is in extended instructions, where the i5-12400 scores 15399 versus 11035 for the Core 3 201E, a 28.3% lead. Data compression shows a 27.7% advantage for the i5-12400 (226908 vs 164160), while floating point math is 26.9% ahead (45494 vs 33260). Integer math trails slightly at 24.8% (58366 vs 43894), and data encryption shows a 21.8% edge (11418 vs 8931). The smallest multi-core margin is in find prime numbers, where the i5-12400 leads by 16.2% (68 vs 57).

The Core 3 201E wins two PassMark tests. In single-thread performance, it scores 3482 versus 3456 for the i5-12400, a slim 0.8% edge. The physics test also goes to the Core 3 201E, scoring 1141 against 1105, a 3.3% advantage. These wins are narrow, but they show that the Core 3 201E can match or slightly exceed the i5-12400 in lightly threaded scenarios.

The average benchmark score tells a different story. The Core 3 201E posts an average of 19056, placing it in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs. The i5-12400 averages 18683, good for the 72nd percentile. Despite losing 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, the i5-12400 sits slightly lower in overall average score, a quirk driven by the specific mix of tests in the database.

The nearest rivals list reinforces the Core 3 201E standing. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS averages 19047, essentially tied with the Core 3 201E at a 0% delta. The Intel Core i5-12400F scores 19039, just 0.1% behind. The Intel Core i5-1335U is 0.4% behind at 18982, and the AMD EPYC 7773X matches that 0.4% delta at 18979. For the i5-12400, the AMD EPYC 7643 is 0.1% ahead at 18697, the Intel Core i7-1355U is 0.3% ahead at 18730, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 is 0.7% ahead at 18811. The Intel Core i3-14100F trails by 0.9% at 18519.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a socket, node, and die size, but diverge in core counts, cache, and memory features. Both use Intel Socket 1700 and are built on a 10 nm process at Intel with a 163 mm² die size. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, and both integrate UHD Graphics 730.

The Core i5-12400 is based on Alder Lake-S architecture, while the Core 3 201E uses Bartlett Lake. The i5-12400 belongs to the Core 12th Gen series, whereas the Core 3 201E is part of the newer Core 3 Bartlett Lake generation. The i5-12400 has 6 cores and 12 threads; the Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads. That difference of 2 cores and 4 threads explains much of the multi-core benchmark gap.

Cache layouts are similar in per-core structure but differ at the shared level. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. The L3 cache differs: the Core 3 201E has 12 MB shared, while the i5-12400 has 18 MB shared. That 6 MB L3 advantage for the i5-12400 helps in workloads with large working sets.

Clock speeds favor the Core 3 201E in base frequency but the i5-12400 in boost frequency. The Core 3 201E runs a 3.60 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.80 GHz. The i5-12400 runs a 2.50 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.40 GHz. The higher boost clock on the Core 3 201E contributes to its single-thread wins, despite the i5-12400 having more cores.

Power and memory features differ. The Core 3 201E has a 60 W TDP, while the i5-12400 has a 65 W TDP. The Core 3 201E supports ECC memory; the i5-12400 does not. Memory bandwidth is listed for the Core 3 201E at 76.8 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i5-12400. Both use Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes.

Release timing separates the two as well. The Core 3 201E launched on 2025-01-12, while the i5-12400 launched on 2022-01-03. Both are active products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SRVTR for the Core 3 201E and SRL4VSRL5Y for the i5-12400.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i5-12400 is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, combined with 18 MB of L3 cache, deliver 21.1% advantages across all Cinebench tests and similar margins in PassMark data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, multithread, and random string sorting, and prime number finding. Rendering, scientific computation, and content creation all favor the i5-12400 by roughly one fifth to nearly one third.

The Core 3 201E wins in narrow single-thread scenarios. Its 4.80 GHz boost clock pushes it past the i5-12400 in PassMark single-thread testing by 0.97 points (3482 vs 3456, a 0.3% lead, depending on the test naming convention). The physics test also goes to the Core 3 201E with a 3.3% edge. Lightweight applications, older software, and latency-sensitive tasks benefit from the higher boost frequency and the lower core count competing for cache bandwidth.

ECC support on the Core 3 201E is a meaningful differentiator for users who require error-correcting memory, a feature absent from the i5-12400. The lower base clock and lower TDP of the Core 3 201E may also suit systems where sustained low-power operation matters more than peak multi-thread throughput.

The market segmentation is clear. The i5-12400 targets mainstream desktop performance with more cores and more cache. The Core 3 201E targets a lower-core-count desktop slot with a higher boost clock and ECC capability. For users who render, compile, or process large datasets, the i5-12400 is the better choice. For users who run single-threaded applications or require ECC memory, the Core 3 201E holds an advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several specification fields. The Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-12400 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clock differs: 3.60 GHz for the Core 3 201E versus 2.50 GHz for the i5-12400. Boost clock differs: 4.80 GHz for the Core 3 201E versus 4.40 GHz for the i5-12400. TDP is 60 W for the Core 3 201E versus 65 W for the i5-12400.

L3 cache differs: 12 MB shared for the Core 3 201E versus 18 MB shared for the i5-12400. The Core 3 201E supports ECC memory; the i5-12400 does not. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the Core 3 201E at 76.8 GB/s. The architecture differs: Bartlett Lake for the Core 3 201E versus Alder Lake for the i5-12400. The generation differs: Core 3 (Bartlett Lake) versus Core i5 (Alder Lake-S). The series is null for the Core 3 201E and Core 12th Gen for the i5-12400.

Release dates differ: 2025-01-12 for the Core 3 201E versus 2022-01-03 for the i5-12400. Launch MSRP differs: $134 for the Core 3 201E versus $199 for the i5-12400. Part numbers differ: SRVTR versus SRL4VSRL5Y. The codename differs: Bartlett Lake versus Alder Lake-S. Both share Intel Socket 1700, 10 nm process, Intel foundry, 163 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, DDR4/DDR5 support, dual-channel memory bus, Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, UHD Graphics 730, Desktop market segment, Active production status, and locked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests by 21.1%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 15989 versus 12613 for the Core 3 201E.

Q: Does the Core 3 201E win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. It wins PassMark physics (1141 vs 1105, a 3.3% lead) and PassMark single-thread (3482 vs 3456, a 0.8% lead) against the i5-12400.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 3 201E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-12400 does not.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-12400 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Core 3 201E has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-12400 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core 3 201E boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the i5-12400 boosts to 4.40 GHz. The Core 3 201E also has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.