CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10325 and Intel Core i3-12100TE are both 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors, yet they represent two distinct design philosophies from Intel. The i3-10325 is a higher-clocked Comet Lake part built on the older 14 nm process, while the i3-12100TE is a power-sipping Alder Lake chip on the 10 nm node. Benchmark data shows the i3-10325 winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, though the margins are consistently narrow, ranging from 2.2% to 2.5%. This creates an interesting dynamic where the older, higher-frequency part edges out the newer architecture, but the i3-12100TE counters with a dramatically lower 35 W TDP and modern platform features.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split between these two CPUs is clear-cut: the Intel Core i3-10325 wins every single benchmark in the comparison set. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i3-10325 takes both single-core and multi-core victories. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i3-10325 scores 124 against the i3-12100TE's 121, a 2.5% advantage. Every other test shows a 2.2% delta in favor of the i3-10325, including multi-core workloads where it posts 881, 3673, and 8747 points in R15, R20, and R23 respectively, versus 862, 3594, and 8558 for the i3-12100TE.

The i3-12100TE's wins are not in raw performance but in efficiency and platform capabilities. Its 35 W TDP is nearly half the i3-10325's 65 W, making it the clear choice for thermally constrained systems. The i3-12100TE also supports DDR5 memory alongside DDR4, while the i3-10325 is limited to DDR4. PCIe connectivity differs substantially, with the i3-12100TE offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes versus the i3-10325's Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The i3-12100TE also features a newer integrated GPU, the UHD Graphics 730, compared to the UHD Graphics 630 on the i3-10325.

In terms of benchmark percentiles, both CPUs sit at the 49th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall standing despite the i3-10325's higher average benchmark score of 2530 versus 2475 for the i3-12100TE. The nearest rivals for each CPU reinforce this parity: the i3-10325's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2244G with an average score of 2527 (0.1% delta), while the i3-12100TE's nearest is the Intel Xeon D-1540 at 2467 (0.3% delta).

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i3-10325 is the faster processor in pure computational terms. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with margins between 2.2% and 2.5%. For users who need maximum Cinebench performance from a 4-core part, the i3-10325 is the correct pick. Its higher base clock of 3.90 GHz and boost clock of 4.70 GHz, compared to 2.10 GHz and 4.00 GHz on the i3-12100TE, directly translate into measurable benchmark advantages.

However, the i3-12100TE is not without its own compelling case. Its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for compact or passively cooled systems where the i3-10325's 65 W requirement would be problematic. The i3-12100TE also brings modern platform features: DDR5 memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, and a larger 12 MB shared L3 cache versus 8 MB on the i3-10325. The newer 10 nm process and 163 mm² die size indicate a more advanced manufacturing approach.

Users who prioritize raw benchmark scores should choose the i3-10325. Users who need lower power consumption, newer memory and PCIe standards, or a smaller physical footprint should choose the i3-12100TE. The performance difference is small enough that it may not matter for most workloads, but the platform differences are significant and should guide the decision.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive win for the Intel Core i3-10325 comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it achieves a score of 124 against 121 for the i3-12100TE, a 2.5% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. In multi-core R15, the i3-10325 scores 881 versus 862, a 2.2% lead. The pattern holds across newer Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core shows 3673 versus 3594 (2.2%), and R20 single-core shows 518 versus 507 (2.2%). R23 multi-core results are 8747 for the i3-10325 and 8558 for the i3-12100TE, again a 2.2% gap. R23 single-core completes the sweep with 1234 versus 1208, a 2.2% margin.

Every benchmark in the head-to-head set favors the i3-10325. The consistency of the 2.2% delta across most tests suggests a systematic advantage from the i3-10325's higher clock speeds rather than any architectural edge. The i3-10325's base clock of 3.90 GHz is 85% higher than the i3-12100TE's 2.10 GHz, and its boost clock of 4.70 GHz is 17.5% higher than 4.00 GHz. Despite this clock advantage, the i3-12100TE's newer Alder Lake architecture closes most of the gap, evidenced by the narrow margins.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the i3-10325 averages 2530 across all tests, while the i3-12100TE averages 2475. This 55-point difference is modest but consistent. The i3-10325's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2244G at 2527 (0.1% delta) and the Intel Xeon E-2144G at 2514 (0.7% delta), while the i3-12100TE's rivals include the Intel Core i5-8600 at 2454 (0.8% delta) and the Intel Core i5-1155G7 at 2496 (-0.9% delta).

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i3-10325 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with deltas of 2.2% in five tests and 2.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core. Its average benchmark score is 2530 versus 2475 for the i3-12100TE.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The i3-10325 has a TDP of 65 W, while the i3-12100TE has a TDP of 35 W. This makes the i3-12100TE significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The i3-10325 supports only DDR4 memory with dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-12100TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data.

Q: How do their PCIe capabilities differ?

A: The i3-10325 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i3-12100TE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), a substantial upgrade in both generation and lane count.

Q: What are the cache configurations for each CPU?

A: The i3-10325 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The i3-12100TE has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Q: Which CPU has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The i3-12100TE is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the i3-10325 uses the older 14 nm process. The i3-12100TE's die size is 163 mm², while the i3-10325's die size is not listed.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-10325 is based on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-R codename, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen series. It is manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node. The i3-12100TE uses the Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-S codename, part of the Core 12th Gen series, and is built on the 10 nm process node. This process difference is significant: the 10 nm node allows for smaller transistors and potentially better power efficiency, though the i3-10325 compensates with much higher clock speeds.

Cache hierarchies differ notably between the two. The i3-10325 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The i3-12100TE increases L1 to 80 KB per core and L2 dramatically to 1.25 MB per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the i3-12100TE likely help it close the performance gap despite much lower clock speeds. The die size of the i3-12100TE is 163 mm², while the i3-10325's die size is not provided in the data.

Both CPUs integrate graphics, but different versions: the i3-10325 has UHD Graphics 630, while the i3-12100TE has UHD Graphics 730. Neither supports ECC memory. Both are desktop market segment parts with active production status. The i3-10325 was released on 2021-03-15, while the i3-12100TE's release date is not listed. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The most prominent specification difference is TDP: 65 W for the i3-10325 versus 35 W for the i3-12100TE. Clock speeds also diverge sharply, with the i3-10325 running at 3.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost, versus 2.10 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost for the i3-12100TE. Socket compatibility differs, with the i3-10325 using Intel Socket 1200 and the i3-12100TE using Intel Socket 1700.

Memory support is another key difference: the i3-10325 supports only DDR4 with a listed memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i3-12100TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with no bandwidth figure provided. PCIe capabilities differ, with the i3-10325 providing Gen 3 with 16 lanes and the i3-12100TE providing Gen 5 with 20 lanes (both CPU only). The i3-10325's launch MSRP is $154, while the i3-12100TE's launch MSRP is $125. The i3-10325 has a part number of SRH3H, while the i3-12100TE's part number is not listed.