CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-12100 is the definitive winner in this comparison, outperforming the Core i3-10105 in 18 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, often by margins exceeding 30%. The data is unambiguous: while the older Comet Lake chip retains a single niche victory in random string sorting, the Alder Lake part delivers a generational leap in both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. The i3-12100 is the choice for any user prioritizing raw computing power, whereas the i3-10105 is only relevant for those specifically locked to the Socket 1200 platform or seeking a specific sorting workload advantage.

The Verdict

Benchmark results indicate a clear hierarchy: the Intel Core i3-12100 is in a different performance class entirely. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Alder Lake chip leads by a consistent 33.8% in both single-core and multi-core tests. This is not a marginal improvement; it is a structural advantage derived from a newer architecture and larger caches. The Geekbench results reinforce this, with the i3-12100 scoring 7,214 multi-core versus 4,325 for the i3-10105, a 40% gap.

The i3-10105 does not win a single major compute benchmark. Its only victory comes in Passmark random string sorting, where it scores 15,899 against 14,286, an 11.3% advantage. This is a highly specific workload, and it does not compensate for the sweeping losses elsewhere. For general productivity, content creation, or gaming, the i3-12100 is the superior part. The older chip should only be considered if the platform (Socket 1200) is a hard requirement, as its performance disadvantage is otherwise decisive.

The average benchmark scores tell the same story. The i3-10105 averages 12,316, while the i3-12100 averages 12,054. Despite the i3-10105 having a slightly higher average, this is misleading because the i3-12100's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U (0.2% delta) and AMD Ryzen 5 3500X (0.5% delta), indicating it sits in a competitive tier. The i3-10105's rivals include the Intel Core i7-6700K (0.6% delta) and the i3-12100 itself (2.2% delta), meaning the older chip is only marginally ahead of its direct successor in this aggregate metric, a statistical anomaly that does not reflect its individual benchmark losses.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The i3-10105 uses the Comet Lake architecture, specifically Comet Lake-R, fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node. The i3-12100 uses the Alder Lake architecture (Alder Lake-S), built on a 10 nm process. This process node difference is the primary driver of the performance gap, allowing the newer chip to achieve higher efficiency and clock-for-clock performance.

The cache configurations differ significantly. The i3-10105 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The i3-12100 has 80 KB of L1 per core, a massive 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. The doubling of L3 cache and the near-fivefold increase in L2 cache per core directly contribute to the i3-12100's superior performance in memory-intensive tasks, as evidenced by its 40% lead in Geekbench multi-core.

Other architectural differences include the integrated graphics and PCIe support. The i3-10105 features UHD Graphics 630, while the i3-12100 features UHD Graphics 730. The i3-10105 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, whereas the i3-12100 supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The i3-12100 also has a larger die size at 163 mm², compared to the unspecified die size of the i3-10105, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i3-10105 is limited to DDR4. The i3-10105 has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while this figure is not listed for the i3-12100.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking results come from Cinebench, where the i3-12100 dominates. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-12100 scores 10,623 versus 7,029 for the i3-10105, a 33.8% advantage. The single-core results are equally lopsided: 1,499 versus 992, also a 33.8% gap. This pattern repeats across R15 and R20, with the i3-12100 consistently leading by 33.8% to 34% in every Cinebench iteration. These are not isolated wins; they represent a systematic architectural superiority.

Geekbench results show an even larger multi-core margin. The i3-12100 scores 7,214 versus 4,325 for the i3-10105, a 40% lead. The single-core gap is 32.8%, with scores of 1,962 versus 1,319. This suggests the Alder Lake architecture scales better with multi-threaded workloads, likely due to its larger cache and more efficient memory access.

Passmark benchmarks reveal the broadest spread. The i3-12100 wins data encryption by a massive 62.3% (7,222 versus 2,723) and find prime numbers by 59.2% (49 versus 20). Floating point math shows a 35.9% lead (28,015 versus 17,949), while integer math is closer at 19.9% (35,678 versus 28,577). The i3-12100 also leads in multi-thread (12,170 versus 8,241, a 32.3% gap) and single-thread (3,173 versus 2,589, an 18.4% gap). The i3-10105's only win is random string sorting, where it scores 15,899 versus 14,286, an 11.3% margin. This single victory does not offset the 18 losses.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications beyond architecture. The i3-12100 has a lower base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 3.70 GHz for the i3-10105, but a slightly lower boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. Despite lower clocks, the i3-12100 performs better, confirming the architectural efficiency gains. The TDP is also lower for the i3-12100 at 60 W versus 65 W for the i3-10105.

The sockets are incompatible: the i3-10105 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i3-12100 uses Intel Socket 1700. Memory support differs, with the i3-10105 limited to DDR4 and the i3-12100 supporting both DDR4 and DDR5. The i3-10105 has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while this is not listed for the i3-12100. PCIe support is also different: Gen 3 for the i3-10105 versus Gen 5 for the i3-12100. The integrated graphics are different (UHD 630 vs UHD 730), and the release dates differ, with the i3-10105 launching on 2021-03-15 and the i3-12100 on 2022-01-03. Both have a launch MSRP of $122, and both are locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100 is significantly faster in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1,499 versus 992 for the i3-10105, a 33.8% advantage. The Passmark single-thread test shows a similar trend, with scores of 3,173 versus 2,589, an 18.4% lead.

Q: Is the i3-10105 better at any task?

A: Yes, benchmark data shows the i3-10105 wins the Passmark random string sorting test, scoring 15,899 versus 14,286 for the i3-12100, an 11.3% margin. This is the only head-to-head benchmark where it emerges victorious.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i3-10105 supports DDR4 memory only, with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i3-12100 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, also on a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The i3-12100 leads by substantial margins. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 7,214 versus 4,325, which is a 40% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the gap is 33.8%, with scores of 10,623 versus 7,029.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The i3-10105 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i3-12100 uses Intel Socket 1700. These are physically different sockets and require different motherboards.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The i3-10105 features UHD Graphics 630, while the i3-12100 features UHD Graphics 730. The data does not include benchmark scores for these integrated graphics units, so a performance comparison is not possible from the provided facts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-12100 wins in virtually every category that matters. It is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation, as evidenced by its 33.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 40% lead in Geekbench multi-core. Its single-core dominance, with a 32.8% lead in Geekbench single-core, makes it superior for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications. The i3-12100 also excels in encryption and prime number calculations, with leads of 62.3% and 59.2% respectively, making it the better option for security-related tasks and scientific computing.

The Intel Core i3-10105 has a single, narrow use case where the data shows it wins: Passmark random string sorting. With a score of 15,899 versus 14,286, it holds an 11.3% advantage in this specific operation. This could be relevant for workloads involving heavy string manipulation or sorting algorithms, but it is a niche scenario. Additionally, the i3-10105 is the only option for users who are constrained to the Socket 1200 platform, as the i3-12100 requires a Socket 1700 motherboard. For all other purposes, the i3-12100's consistent and substantial leads across 18 of 19 benchmarks make it the unequivocal recommendation.