Intel Core i3-12100E vs Intel Core i5-11400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between these two Intel processors. The Core i5-11400 wins 13 of the 19 head-to-head comparisons, while the Core i3-12100E takes 6. However, the magnitude and nature of those wins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

Starting with the most lopsided results, the i5-11400 dominates in passmark_integer_math with a score of 57601 against 40885, a 40.9% advantage. This is the largest single delta in the entire comparison. Similarly, passmark_random_string_sorting shows a 49% gap in favor of the i5-11400, with scores of 23974 versus 16089. These are substantial, workload-specific victories that indicate the i5's extra cores and threads translate directly into throughput on integer-heavy tasks.

The Cinebench suite is consistently one-sided. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i5-11400 leads by 22.3% in every multicore test. Scores of 1424 versus 1164 in R15 multicore, 5935 versus 4854 in R20 multicore, and 14132 versus 11559 in R23 multicore all reflect the same 22.3% margin. Even the single-core Cinebench tests show a similar pattern, with the i5-11400 ahead by 22% in R15 singlecore (200 versus 164) and 22.2% in R20 singlecore (837 versus 685). The i3-12100E cannot close this gap in any Cinebench variant, which is striking given its architectural advantages elsewhere.

Passmark data compression and encryption also favor the i5-11400 by decisive margins. Data compression shows 206952 versus 160112, a 29.3% lead, while encryption shows 10264 versus 8069, a 27.2% lead. Extended instructions follow the same trend with a 37.8% advantage for the i5-11400 (14901 versus 10814). Floating-point math is closer, with the i5-11400 ahead by only 6.5% (34004 versus 31919), and passmark_multithread shows a 17% lead (16690 versus 14271).

The i3-12100E, however, posts some notable counter-wins. The most dramatic is passmark_physics, where it scores 1185 against 793, a 33.1% advantage. This is the largest margin in either direction and suggests the newer architecture handles physics calculations much more efficiently. Geekbench single-core is another strong showing, with the i3-12100E scoring 2202 versus 1750, a 20.5% lead. Passmark single-thread also favors the i3-12100E by 13% (3438 versus 2990). Geekbench multicore is nearly flat, with the i3-12100E ahead by just 1.2% (7661 versus 7572). Finally, passmark_find_prime_numbers goes to the i3-12100E by 22.2% (63 versus 49).

What emerges is a clear pattern: the i5-11400 wins heavily on multi-threaded, throughput-oriented workloads, while the i3-12100E wins on single-thread responsiveness and physics simulation. The average benchmark scores are close, 17067 for the i5-11400 and 16853 for the i3-12100E, a difference of just over 1%, which explains why both processors sit at nearly the same percentile of all CPUs, 71 and 70 respectively.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and manufacturing nodes. The i5-11400 uses Rocket Lake architecture built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the i3-12100E uses Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process. This node difference is significant: the smaller process allows the i3-12100E to achieve higher single-thread performance despite having fewer cores.

Core counts differ substantially. The i5-11400 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds also differ, with the i5-11400 running at a 2.60 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost, while the i3-12100E runs at a 3.20 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. The i3-12100E starts from a higher base clock but boosts to a slightly lower maximum.

Cache configurations show both similarities and differences. Both processors share 12 MB of L3 cache and 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs significantly: the i5-11400 has 512 KB per core, while the i3-12100E has 1.25 MB per core. This larger per-core L2 cache on the i3-12100E likely contributes to its strong single-thread performance in Geekbench and Passmark tests.

Memory support also differs. The i5-11400 supports DDR4 only, while the i3-12100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i5-11400 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i3-12100E. PCIe support differs as well: the i5-11400 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i3-12100E offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Die size shows the process advantage clearly. The i5-11400 has a die size of 276 mm², while the i3-12100E measures 163 mm². Both processors use the UHD Graphics 730 integrated GPU and neither supports ECC memory. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported on either.

Sockets are incompatible, which matters for platform selection. The i5-11400 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i3-12100E uses Intel Socket 1700. The i5-11400 is end-of-life, released on 2021-03-15, while the i3-12100E remains active in production, released on 2022-01-03.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-11400 is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity workloads. Cinebench multicore results across all three versions show a consistent 22.3% advantage, which translates directly to rendering, video encoding, and batch processing tasks. The Passmark integer math result, with a 40.9% lead, suggests strong performance in compilation, scientific computing, and any integer-heavy processing. Data compression at 29.3% ahead and encryption at 27.2% ahead make the i5-11400 better suited for archiving, database operations, and secure communications workloads. Random string sorting, with a 49% advantage, points to strong text processing and data manipulation capabilities.

The i3-12100E wins in scenarios that favor single-thread speed and modern architecture efficiency. The 33.1% lead in Passmark physics is particularly notable for gaming physics and simulation workloads. The 20.5% Geekbench single-core advantage indicates better responsiveness in everyday applications, web browsing, and lightly threaded applications. Passmark single-thread performance, 13% ahead, reinforces this pattern. Prime number finding, 22.2% ahead, suggests the i3-12100E handles certain mathematical operations more efficiently per clock.

For mixed workloads, the i5-11400's overall benchmark average of 17067 versus 16853 gives it a slight edge, but the margin is small enough that workload composition matters more than the aggregate. The i5-11400 carries a 17% lead in Passmark multithread, which makes it the safer bet for users who regularly run multiple demanding applications simultaneously.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400 scores 14132 versus 11559 for the i3-12100E, a 22.3% advantage in favor of the i5-11400.

Q: How much faster is the i3-12100E in single-thread tests?

A: The i3-12100E scores 2202 in Geekbench single-core versus 1750 for the i5-11400, a 20.5% lead. Passmark single-thread shows a 13% advantage for the i3-12100E with scores of 3438 versus 2990.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i5-11400 supports DDR4 only, while the i3-12100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i5-11400 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Are these processors overclockable?

A: Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported on either.

Q: What integrated graphics do these processors include?

A: Both processors feature UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU wins in Passmark physics testing?

A: The i3-12100E scores 1185 versus 793 for the i5-11400, a 33.1% advantage for the i3-12100E.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split recommendation. Users whose workloads involve rendering, video encoding, data compression, encryption, or any multi-threaded productivity task should choose the i5-11400. Its consistent 22.3% advantage across the Cinebench suite and 40.9% lead in integer math make it the stronger all-around performer for heavy workloads. The 49% advantage in random string sorting and 29.3% in data compression further cement its position for data-intensive applications.

Users who prioritize single-thread responsiveness, physics simulation, or run primarily lightly threaded applications should consider the i3-12100E. Its 20.5% Geekbench single-core lead and 33.1% physics advantage are substantial. The newer 10 nm process and larger per-core L2 cache clearly benefit certain workloads. The i3-12100E also remains in active production, making it a more future-proof platform choice with support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5.

The average benchmark scores are close, 17067 versus 16853, placing both processors within 1.3% of each other overall. The i5-11400 sits at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, while the i3-12100E sits at the 70th. This near-parity in aggregate performance means the deciding factor should be workload type. For mixed-use systems, the i5-11400's extra cores and threads provide more headroom for multitasking and future workload demands. For systems where single-thread performance and modern platform features matter most, the i3-12100E is the better fit.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-11400 | Intel Core i3-12100E |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 60 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Alder Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 163 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not recorded |

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

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

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2022-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $182 | $125 |

| Part Number | SRKP0 | SRL6U |