Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Core i3-12100TE Comparison

The Intel Core i3-12100TE and Intel Core i3-1125G4 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they serve fundamentally different markets and deliver clearly different performance profiles. Benchmark data shows the i3-12100TE wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with margins ranging from 8.8% to 9%. The i3-12100TE achieves this while drawing more power (35W TDP) and targeting desktop systems, whereas the i3-1125G4 is a 15W mobile part designed for laptops. The i3-12100TE also holds a slight edge in overall CPU percentile ranking, sitting at the 49th percentile versus the 48th percentile for the i3-1125G4.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split between these two processors is one-sided in raw compute, but the context of their intended platforms tells a different story. The i3-12100TE wins every single benchmark in the comparison data, making it the clear choice for workloads that prioritize sustained multi-core throughput. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 8558 versus 7860 for the i3-1125G4 represents an 8.9% advantage, which translates to faster rendering, compilation, and content creation tasks. Single-core performance also favors the i3-12100TE, with a 9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (121 vs 111) and R20 single-core (507 vs 465). This means the desktop part will feel snappier in everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications.

However, the i3-1125G4 has its own domain: mobile efficiency. With a 15W TDP compared to the 35W TDP of the i3-12100TE, the Tiger Lake chip is designed for thin-and-light laptops where power draw and heat dissipation are critical constraints. The i3-1125G4 also integrates Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, which is a more capable integrated GPU than the UHD Graphics 730 found in the i3-12100TE. For users who need a compact, battery-powered system with decent graphics output, the i3-1125G4 wins on portability and integrated graphics capability, even though it loses every CPU benchmark to the i3-12100TE.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures and generations. The i3-12100TE is based on Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-S die, while the i3-1125G4 uses Tiger Lake, built on the Tiger Lake-U die. Both are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process, but the die sizes differ: the i3-12100TE has a 163 mm² die, while the i3-1125G4 is smaller at 144 mm². The Alder Lake part is part of the 12th Gen Core series, whereas the Tiger Lake chip belongs to the Core i3 generation with Willow Cove-U cores.

Cache configurations show a key difference in the L3 cache. The i3-12100TE offers 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-1125G4 provides only 8 MB. Both parts have identical L1 and L2 caches per core: 80 KB and 1.25 MB respectively. The larger L3 cache on the i3-12100TE likely contributes to its performance advantage, as more shared cache can reduce memory latency and improve multi-threaded efficiency.

Memory support also diverges. The i3-12100TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i3-1125G4 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. PCIe capabilities differ as well: the i3-12100TE offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i3-1125G4 provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i3-12100TE uses the Intel Socket 1700, a desktop platform, while the i3-1125G4 is soldered to Intel BGA 1449 for mobile use.

The i3-12100TE has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The i3-1125G4 lists a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i3-1125G4 has a release date of 2021-03-30 and is marked as end-of-life, while the i3-12100TE is listed as active production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100TE is faster in all multi-core tests. It scores 8558 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 7860 for the i3-1125G4, an 8.9% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i3-12100TE scores 3594 compared to 3301 for the i3-1125G4, also an 8.9% lead.

Q: Does the i3-1125G4 have any performance advantage?

A: No. In the head-to-head benchmark data, the i3-12100TE wins all six Cinebench tests. The i3-1125G4 does have a Geekbench score listed (4509 multi-core, 1461 single-core), but no comparable Geekbench result is provided for the i3-12100TE, so a direct comparison cannot be made there.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The i3-12100TE has a TDP of 35W, while the i3-1125G4 has a TDP of 15W. This makes the i3-1125G4 significantly more power-efficient, which is expected given its mobile design and BGA 1449 socket.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i3-1125G4 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the i3-12100TE has UHD Graphics 730. The Iris Xe-LP is generally a higher-tier integrated GPU, but benchmark scores for these specific graphics units are not provided in the data.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i3-12100TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket, while the i3-1125G4 uses Intel BGA 1449, which is a soldered mobile package. They are not interchangeable.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The i3-12100TE is listed as "Active" production, while the i3-1125G4 is listed as "End-of-life." The i3-1125G4 also has a release date of 2021-03-30.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-12100TE | Intel Core i3-1125G4 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Alder Lake-S | Tiger Lake-U |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | 144 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4, LPDDR4X |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Launch MSRP | $125 | $281 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i3-12100TE dominates the Cinebench suite with consistent 8.8% to 9% margins over the i3-1125G4. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-12100TE scores 862 versus 792, a win of 8.8%. Single-core R15 shows 121 versus 111, a 9% lead. The pattern holds in R20: multi-core 3594 versus 3301 (8.9% delta) and single-core 507 versus 465 (9% delta). Cinebench R23 results follow suit with multi-core 8558 versus 7860 (8.9%) and single-core 1208 versus 1109 (8.9%).

The biggest wins for the i3-12100TE come in single-core tests, where it achieves a 9% advantage in both R15 and R20. This suggests that the Alder Lake architecture, with its higher 4.00 GHz boost clock versus 3.70 GHz, provides a meaningful single-thread performance uplift. Multi-core margins are slightly smaller at 8.8% to 8.9%, but the i3-12100TE still maintains a solid lead across all render workloads.

The i3-1125G4 has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head data, but it does have additional Geekbench scores not available for the i3-12100TE. With a Geekbench multi-core score of 4509 and single-core of 1461, these results cannot be directly compared since the i3-12100TE lacks corresponding Geekbench data. The i3-1125G4's average benchmark score is 2451, placing it at the 48th percentile, while the i3-12100TE averages 2475 and sits at the 49th percentile.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i3-12100TE is the superior processor for raw compute performance. It wins every Cinebench test in the comparison, with margins between 8.8% and 9%, and offers higher boost clocks, more L3 cache, and support for newer DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5. Its launch MSRP of $125 also positions it as a lower-cost part than the i3-1125G4's $281 launch MSRP. For desktop users building a system on Socket 1700 who prioritize CPU throughput, the i3-12100TE is the unequivocal choice.

The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is not without merit, but its strengths lie outside the benchmark data. Its 15W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient, and its Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 is a more capable integrated GPU than the UHD Graphics 730. The mobile BGA 1449 package means it is intended for laptops, where the i3-12100TE cannot be used at all. Users who need a thin, battery-efficient laptop with adequate graphics should consider the i3-1125G4, but those who need maximum CPU performance in a desktop system should pick the i3-12100TE. The data is unambiguous: the i3-12100TE wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, and the i3-1125G4 wins none.