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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i5-11400F and the Intel Core i3-12100E is a study in contrasting strengths. The i5-11400F takes the overall win count with 14 victories out of 19 head-to-head tests, while the i3-12100E manages 5 wins. The average benchmark score for the i5-11400F is 17177, placing it at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, while the i3-12100E averages 16853, sitting at the 70th percentile. These are closely matched chips in overall standing, but the distribution of wins tells a clear story.

The i5-11400F dominates heavily in multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 14340 versus 11559 for the i3-12100E, a 24.1% advantage. That same 24.1% delta appears across Cinebench R15 multicore (1445 vs 1164), R20 multicore (6022 vs 4854), R23 singlecore (2024 vs 1631), R15 singlecore (204 vs 164), and R20 singlecore (850 vs 685). The consistency here is remarkable: the i5-11400F holds a near-uniform 24% lead across all Cinebench versions, both single and multi-threaded. This suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency advantage in rendering workloads.

In PassMark integer math, the i5-11400F posts 57624 against 40885 for the i3-12100E, a massive 40.9% gap. Extended instructions show a 38.5% lead (14976 vs 10814). Random string sorting favors the i5-11400F by 49.9% (24124 vs 16089), the largest single delta in the entire comparison. Data compression sees the i5-11400F ahead by 30.2% (208472 vs 160112), and data encryption shows a 27% advantage (10247 vs 8069). PassMark multithread gives the i5-11400F an 18.5% edge (16908 vs 14271), and floating point math shows a narrower 6.9% lead (34127 vs 31919). Geekbench multicore is nearly a tie, with the i5-11400F at 7737 and the i3-12100E at 7661, a mere 1% difference.

The i3-12100E wins decisively in single-threaded and specific workloads. Geekbench singlecore shows the i3-12100E at 2202 versus 1777 for the i5-11400F, a 19.3% advantage. PassMark single thread (and the identical singlethread test) gives the i3-12100E 3438 against 2981, a 13.3% lead. PassMark physics heavily favors the i3-12100E at 1185 versus 842, a 28.9% gap. The only other i3-12100E win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 63 versus 51, a 19% edge.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-11400F is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity and content creation. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, paired with a 4.40 GHz boost clock, deliver substantial leads in Cinebench rendering, integer math, data compression, encryption, and random string sorting. If the workload is heavily parallel, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or large dataset processing, the data points overwhelmingly to the i5-11400F. The 24% Cinebench R23 multicore advantage and the 40.9% integer math lead are the kind of margins that translate directly into shorter render times and faster batch processing. The PassMark multithread score of 16908 versus 14271 reinforces this, showing an 18.5% advantage in threaded throughput.

The i3-12100E wins where single-thread performance and specific algorithmic tasks matter. Its Geekbench singlecore score of 2202 is 19.3% higher, and its PassMark single thread score of 3438 is 13.3% higher. This makes it better suited for lightly threaded applications, older games that rely on one or two cores, and tasks where per-core speed is the bottleneck. The PassMark physics win (1185 vs 842, a 28.9% lead) is particularly interesting, as physics simulations often depend on fast single-thread execution. The find prime numbers win (63 vs 51) suggests an edge in integer-heavy, low-parallelism workloads.

For balanced use, the i5-11400F offers more overall throughput, but the i3-12100E is not far behind in average score. The 17177 versus 16853 average puts them within 2% of each other, meaning neither is a bad choice for general desktop work. The i3-12100E also has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the i5-11400F has none, which matters for systems without a discrete GPU.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F scores 14340, which is 24.1% higher than the Intel Core i3-12100E's 11559.

Q: Does the i3-12100E ever beat the i5-11400F?

A: Yes, in 5 tests: Geekbench singlecore (2202 vs 1777, 19.3% higher), PassMark single thread (3438 vs 2981, 13.3% higher), PassMark physics (1185 vs 842, 28.9% higher), PassMark find prime numbers (63 vs 51, 19% higher), and the identical PassMark singlethread test.

Q: Which CPU has better single-thread performance overall?

A: The i3-12100E is consistently ahead in single-thread tests. It wins Geekbench singlecore by 19.3% and PassMark single thread by 13.3%, despite the i5-11400F winning all Cinebench singlecore tests by 24.1%.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-11400F averages 17177 (71st percentile), while the i3-12100E averages 16853 (70th percentile), a difference of less than 1% in overall standing.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in either direction?

A: The i5-11400F leads by 49.9% in PassMark random string sorting (24124 vs 16089). The i3-12100E leads by 28.9% in PassMark physics (1185 vs 842).

Q: Which CPU supports PCIe Gen 5?

A: The i3-12100E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the i5-11400F supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several core specifications. The i5-11400F has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ: the i5-11400F runs at 2.60 GHz, the i3-12100E at 3.20 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the i5-11400F at 4.40 GHz and the i3-12100E at 4.20 GHz. Thermal design power differs slightly: the i5-11400F is rated at 65 W, the i3-12100E at 60 W. Sockets are incompatible: the i5-11400F uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i3-12100E uses Intel Socket 1700. Memory support differs: the i5-11400F supports only DDR4, while the i3-12100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i5-11400F has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i3-12100E. PCIe support differs: the i5-11400F is Gen 4 with 20 lanes, the i3-12100E is Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are present only on the i3-12100E (UHD Graphics 730); the i5-11400F has none. Production status differs: the i5-11400F is end-of-life, while the i3-12100E is active. Release dates differ: the i5-11400F launched in March 2021, the i3-12100E in January 2022. Launch MSRP for the i5-11400F is $157, and for the i3-12100E it is $125.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is significant. The i5-11400F is built on Rocket Lake, using Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 276 mm². The i3-12100E is Alder Lake, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 163 mm². This process difference explains much of the performance profile: the 10 nm node allows higher clocks at lower power, which is why the i3-12100E achieves a 3.20 GHz base clock despite a lower 60 W TDP.

Cache configurations differ in L2. The i5-11400F has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the i3-12100E has 1.25 MB per core. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, and L3 is the same at 12 MB shared. The larger L2 per core on the i3-12100E contributes to its single-thread wins, especially in Geekbench and PassMark physics.

The i5-11400F has 6 physical cores with no integrated graphics, relying on a discrete GPU. The i3-12100E has 4 physical cores with integrated UHD Graphics 730, making it a more self-contained package for basic display output. Both use dual-channel memory, but the i3-12100E's support for DDR5 alongside DDR4 gives it a future-proofing edge, while the i5-11400F is locked to DDR4.

Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported on either. The foundry for both is Intel. Market segment is desktop for both. ECC memory is not supported on either. The i5-11400F's part number is SRKP1, and the i3-12100E's is SRL6U.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split. For multi-threaded workloads, the Intel Core i5-11400F is the superior processor. Its 24.1% lead across all Cinebench tests, 40.9% lead in integer math, and 49.9% lead in random string sorting make it the pick for rendering, encoding, and data-heavy tasks. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with a 4.40 GHz boost clock delivers throughput that the 4-core i3-12100E cannot match. The 14-5 win count is decisive. If the workload is parallel, choose the i5-11400F.

For single-threaded performance and lightweight systems, the Intel Core i3-12100E is the better fit. Its 19.3% Geekbench singlecore lead and 13.3% PassMark single thread lead show that newer architecture with larger L2 cache and a higher base clock pays off in per-core speed. The 28.9% physics win is notable for simulation-style tasks. Integrated graphics add utility for systems without a discrete GPU. The i3-12100E also supports DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, making it a more modern platform choice.

The i5-11400F sits at the 71st percentile versus the i3-12100E's 70th, a negligible overall difference. Both are competent desktop CPUs. The deciding factor is the workload: productivity and parallel compute favor the i5-11400F, while single-thread responsiveness and platform modernity favor the i3-12100E. Socket compatibility matters too: the i5-11400F requires Socket 1200, the i3-12100E uses Socket 1700, so the motherboard choice will often dictate which CPU is even viable. For a new build with future upgrade potential, the i3-12100E's newer socket and memory support are meaningful. For an existing Socket 1200 system or pure multi-threaded grunt, the i5-11400F is the stronger purchase.