Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core i5-1230U Comparison

Intel Core i5-1230U vs Intel Core i3-12100: the database shows two Alder Lake parts aimed at completely different sockets and power envelopes. The i5-1230U is a 9W mobile chip with 10 cores, while the i3-12100 is a 60W desktop chip with 4 cores. Despite the core count disadvantage, the desktop part dominates most multi-threaded tests, but the mobile chip wins a few surprising single-thread and math workloads. This comparison is about what each part is designed to do, not which one is universally faster.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-1230U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i3-12100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-1230U offers a 6-core and 4-thread advantage on paper.

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

A: The Intel Core i3-12100 wins the majority of multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 10623 against 4402 for the i5-1230U, a 58.6% lead. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 7214 against 4875, a 32.4% advantage.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1230U has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel Core i3-12100 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The mobile chip edges out the desktop chip by 0.10 GHz.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i5-1230U has a TDP of 9W. The Intel Core i3-12100 has a TDP of 60W. The desktop chip consumes significantly more power, which is expected given the different market segments.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-1230U has an average benchmark score of 12559. The Intel Core i3-12100 has an average benchmark score of 12054. The mobile chip is about 4% higher on average, despite winning fewer head-to-head tests.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

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

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Alder Lake architecture and are built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The core counts diverge sharply: the i5-1230U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-12100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, and the L2 cache is the same at 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is also shared at 12 MB for both chips.

The i5-1230U uses the Intel BGA 1781 socket, which is a mobile platform. The i3-12100 uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop platform. The i5-1230U is from the Alder Lake-U codename, while the i3-12100 is from Alder Lake-S. The desktop part has a die size of 163 mm²; the database does not list a die size for the mobile chip.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-1230U comes with Iris Xe 80EU, while the i3-12100 has UHD Graphics 730. The PCIe support is different: the i5-1230U is Gen 4, while the i3-12100 is Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-1230U was released on 2022-02-22, and the i3-12100 was released on 2022-01-03.

The i3-12100 has a launch MSRP of $122. The i5-1230U does not have a recorded launch MSRP in the database. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i3-12100 wins 15 of the 19 recorded benchmark comparisons, and the i5-1230U wins 4. The biggest wins for the desktop chip are in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 10623 against 4402, a 58.6% lead. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a similar story: the i3-12100 scores 1070 against 514, a 52% advantage. Geekbench multicore favors the desktop chip by 32.4%, with scores of 7214 and 4875.

The i3-12100 also wins in extended instructions, scoring 9702 against 6282, a 35.3% lead. Data compression goes to the desktop chip at 142060 against 114042, a 19.7% edge. Single-thread performance in Cinebench R23 goes to the i3-12100 at 1499 against 1310, a 12.6% lead. PassMark single-thread shows the desktop chip at 3173 against 2712, a 14.5% advantage. The i3-12100 leads in floating point math at 28015 against 25340, a 9.5% margin.

The i5-1230U has a few notable wins. Cinebench R15 singlecore goes to the mobile chip at 186.8 against 150, a 24.5% lead. Integer math favors the i5-1230U at 38401 against 35678, a 7.6% edge. Physics tests go to the mobile chip at 828 against 776, a 6.7% lead. Find prime numbers also goes to the i5-1230U at 55 against 49, a 12.2% difference.

The data encryption test is very close: the i3-12100 scores 7222 against 7176 for the i5-1230U, a 0.6% win. The Cinebench R20 multicore test has the i3-12100 at 4461 against 3903, a 12.5% lead. Random string sorting goes to the desktop chip at 14286 against 12760, a 10.7% margin. PassMark multithread favors the i3-12100 at 12170 against 10881, a 10.6% difference.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the primary difference: 10 cores and 12 threads for the i5-1230U, 4 cores and 8 threads for the i3-12100. Base clocks are 1000.00 MHz for the mobile chip and 3.30 GHz for the desktop chip. Boost clocks are 4.40 GHz and 4.30 GHz respectively.

TDP is dramatically different: 9W for the i5-1230U, 60W for the i3-12100. Sockets are Intel BGA 1781 and Intel Socket 1700. The i5-1230U is in the mobile market segment, while the i3-12100 is in the desktop segment. The i3-12100 has a die size of 163 mm²; the i5-1230U has no listed die size.

The integrated GPU differs: Iris Xe 80EU for the i5-1230U, UHD Graphics 730 for the i3-12100. PCIe generation differs: Gen 4 for the mobile chip, Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for the desktop chip. Release dates are 2022-02-22 and 2022-01-03.

The i3-12100 has a launch MSRP of $122. The i5-1230U has no recorded launch MSRP. The i3-12100 has a part number of SRL62; the i5-1230U has no listed part number.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear split: the i3-12100 is the stronger raw performer in most tests, winning 15 of 19 comparisons. The desktop chip leads in all Cinebench multicore tests, Geekbench multicore, and most PassMark workloads. The i5-1230U wins only 4 tests, but those wins are in specific areas like Cinebench R15 singlecore, integer math, physics, and prime number finding.

The i5-1230U has a higher average benchmark score at 12559 against 12054, and both chips sit at the 67th percentile of all CPUs. The mobile chip's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9174F at 12536 (0.2% delta) and the Intel Core i3-1215U at 12604 (-0.4% delta). The desktop chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U at 12026 (0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X at 12000 (0.5% delta).

For sustained multi-threaded workloads, the i3-12100 is the choice. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 10623 is more than double the i5-1230U's 4402. For a compact, low-power system where the CPU must fit a 9W envelope, the i5-1230U is the only option in this comparison, but it will lose most performance contests to the desktop part.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-12100 wins for heavy multi-threaded tasks: video rendering, 3D modeling, and data compression. The Cinebench R23 multicore result of 10623 against 4402 is decisive. It also wins for general single-thread responsiveness in most modern applications, as shown by the Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 1499 against 1310 and the PassMark single-thread score of 3173 against 2712.

The i5-1230U wins for workloads that reward its specific core configuration or clock behavior. The Cinebench R15 singlecore score of 186.8 against 150 shows a 24.5% advantage in that legacy test. Integer math at 38401 against 35678 and physics at 828 against 776 are also wins. The prime number finding test, 55 against 49, is another point in its favor.

For power-sensitive mobile devices with integrated Iris Xe graphics, the i5-1230U is the only viable option. For desktop builds where the 60W TDP is acceptable, the i3-12100 offers better performance in almost every recorded benchmark. The i5-1230U has a higher average benchmark score, but the i3-12100 wins the tests that matter most for demanding applications.