Intel Core i3-12100E vs Intel Core i5-1240U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher core count?

A: The Intel Core i5-1240U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-1240U’s core advantage is substantial, though the i3-12100E counters with a higher base clock.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-1240U posts an average benchmark score of 16957, while the i3-12100E scores 16853. The difference is only 0.6%, placing both processors in the 70th percentile of all CPUs — statistically equivalent overall performance.

Q: Which chip wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E wins decisively, scoring 11559 versus the i5-1240U’s 7902. That is a 31.6% advantage for the desktop part, despite having fewer cores.

Q: Is there a single-core performance winner?

A: Yes, the i3-12100E takes Cinebench R23 single-core with 1631 against 1559 for the i5-1240U, a 4.4% margin. The i5-1240U wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 37.8% (226 vs 164), suggesting workload-specific differences.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The i5-1240U has a TDP of 9 watts, while the i3-12100E is rated at 60 watts. This makes the i5-1240U a mobile-focused, ultra-low-power part, while the i3-12100E targets desktop performance.

Q: Which processor offers more wins in head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The i3-12100E wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the i5-1240U wins 7. The i3-12100E’s wins are often by large margins in multi-threaded and extension-heavy workloads.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-1240U and Intel Core i3-12100E both use Intel’s Alder Lake architecture, but they target completely different market segments. The i5-1240U is built on the Alder Lake-U codename and is classified as a mobile processor, while the i3-12100E uses the Alder Lake-S codename for desktop systems.

The most striking difference lies in core configuration. The i5-1240U packs 10 cores with 12 threads, likely using a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores. The i3-12100E, by contrast, is a conventional 4-core, 8-thread design. Both share the same process node (10 nm) and are manufactured by Intel, but the desktop chip has a larger die at 163 mm², while the mobile chip’s die size is not listed.

Cache hierarchies are identical: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC memory. The i5-1240U uses PCIe Gen 4, while the i3-12100E steps up to PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ: the i5-1240U features Iris Xe 80EU, whereas the i3-12100E has UHD Graphics 730. The i5-1240U is not multiplier-unlocked, nor is the i3-12100E. The i5-1240U has no listed part number, while the i3-12100E carries the SRL6U identifier. Release dates are close, with the i3-12100E launching in January 2022 and the i5-1240U in February 2022.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1240U dominates in several Cinebench tests, particularly the older R15 and R20 workloads. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 6.7% (1242 vs 1164) and single-core by a massive 37.8% (226 vs 164). In Cinebench R20, it wins multi-core by 3.3% (5013 vs 4854) and single-core by 3.2% (707 vs 685). It also excels in PassMark data encryption, beating the i3 by 11.1% (8964 vs 8069), and integer math, winning by 10% (44968 vs 40885).

The Intel Core i3-12100E counters with strong wins in more modern and sustained workloads. It takes Cinebench R23 multi-core by 31.6% (11559 vs 7902) and single-core by 4.4% (1631 vs 1559). It also wins PassMark data compression by 10.6% (160112 vs 143102), extended instructions by 26.7% (10814 vs 7932), floating-point math by 6.9% (31919 vs 29726), and physics by 17.2% (1185 vs 981). Smaller wins come in multithread (6.1%), single-thread (5.8%), and random string sorting (0.6%).

The data suggests the i5-1240U’s hybrid design excels in short-burst encryption and integer tasks, while the i3-12100E’s higher sustained clock speeds and desktop power budget favor longer, more demanding workloads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1240U | Intel Core i3-12100E |

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

| Cores | 10 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1100.00 MHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 9 W | 60 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1781 | Intel Socket 1700 |

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

| Generation | Core i5 (Alder Lake-U) | Core i3 (Alder Lake-S) |

| Die Size | Not listed | 163 mm² |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe 80EU | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $125 |

| Part Number | Not listed | SRL6U |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a split personality. The i5-1240U wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test by an enormous 37.8% (226 vs 164), which is the single largest margin in either direction. It also takes Cinebench R15 multi-core by 6.7% (1242 vs 1164) and Cinebench R20 multi-core by 3.3% (5013 vs 4854). In PassMark, the i5-1240U wins data encryption by 11.1% (8964 vs 8069) and integer math by 10% (44968 vs 40885). The two chips tie exactly on PassMark find prime numbers, both scoring 63.

The i3-12100E’s biggest victory is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it leads by 31.6% (11559 vs 7902). That is a decisive margin for a chip with fewer cores, pointing to superior sustained performance under long multi-threaded loads. It also wins PassMark extended instructions by 26.7% (10814 vs 7932), physics by 17.2% (1185 vs 981), and data compression by 10.6% (160112 vs 143102). Floating-point math goes to the i3 by 6.9% (31919 vs 29726), multithread by 6.1% (14271 vs 13406), and single-thread by 5.8% (3438 vs 3239). Random string sorting is nearly a tie — i3 wins by just 0.6% (16089 vs 15996).

The overall win count favors the i3-12100E at 10 wins against 7 for the i5-1240U. However, the i5-1240U’s wins in encryption and integer math suggest it handles specific instruction patterns better, likely due to its hybrid core arrangement.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on use case. The Intel Core i3-12100E is the stronger choice for sustained multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its 31.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and its 26.7% advantage in extended instructions. Its 60W TDP and desktop socket (LGA 1700) make it suitable for systems where power draw is not a constraint. It also wins the majority of head-to-head tests (10 of 17), making it the more versatile performer overall. Its launch MSRP is $125, though pricing comparisons are outside this analysis.

The Intel Core i5-1240U, with its 9W TDP and mobile BGA 1781 socket, is clearly designed for compact, power-efficient systems. Its wins in Cinebench R15 single-core (37.8% ahead) and R20 multi-core (3.3% ahead) show it can handle lighter workloads with aplomb. For encryption and integer math tasks, it leads by 11.1% and 10%, respectively, indicating strengths in specific algorithmic patterns.

Benchmark results indicate the i3-12100E is the better all-rounder for desktop users who need sustained performance across varied applications. The i5-1240U makes sense for mobile or ultra-low-power builds where the 9W TDP is critical and peak multi-threaded performance is less important. Both processors sit at the 70th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a weak performer — but the i3-12100E’s margins in the most demanding tests give it the edge for serious work. Choose the i5-1240U only if power efficiency is the top priority; otherwise, the i3-12100E’s benchmark record makes it the data-backed pick.