Intel Core i3-12100E vs Intel Core i5-12450H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two Alder Lake parts, with the i5-12450H winning 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The most decisive victories come in compute-heavy workloads. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i5-12450H leads by 45.1%, scoring 238 against 164 for the i3-12100E. That is the largest single margin in the entire comparison. The R15 multicore test also goes to the i5 by 16%, with scores of 1350 versus 1164. Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern: the i5 wins both single-core (800 versus 685, a 16.8% lead) and multicore (5671 versus 4854, also 16.8%).

The PassMark suite reinforces the i5's dominance in most threaded workloads. Data compression shows a 21.9% gap (195132 versus 160112), integer math is 34% higher (54782 versus 40885), and floating-point math sits 27.1% ahead (40568 versus 31919). Data encryption is the standout, with the i5 delivering 10832 against 8069, a 34.2% advantage. Random string sorting favors the i5 by 29.5% (20838 versus 16089), and extended instructions land 10.9% higher (11992 versus 10814). The PassMark multithread score gives the i5 a 14% win at 16265 versus 14271.

The i3-12100E does not go quietly. Its biggest upset is Cinebench R23 multicore, where it beats the i5 by 23.7%, scoring 11559 against 8822.5. This is the only Cinebench multicore result in the i3's favor, and it is a substantial one. The i3 also wins PassMark physics by 25.5% (1185 versus 883) and PassMark find prime numbers by 27% (63 versus 46). In single-threaded PassMark tests, the i3 edges ahead by 3.8% in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, posting 3438 against 3306. Cinebench R23 single-core is nearly a tie: the i5 wins by just 1.8% (1661 versus 1631).

The overall averages reflect this mixed picture. The i5-12450H records an average benchmark score of 17239, placing it at the 71st percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G (17278, 0.2% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 3 210 (17321, 0.5% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 (17333, 0.5% ahead), while the Intel Core i5-11400F trails by 0.4% at 17177. The i3-12100E averages 16853, good for the 70th percentile. Its closest comparator is the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U at 16827 (0.2% behind), with the Intel Core i5-1235U at 16770 (0.5% behind) and the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS at 16902 (0.3% ahead).

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Alder Lake architecture and the same 10 nm Intel process node, but they come from different Alder Lake families. The i5-12450H is Alder Lake-H, a mobile-focused design, while the i3-12100E is Alder Lake-S, the desktop variant. The H-series chip uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, making it a soldered mobile processor. The S-series chip uses Intel Socket 1700, the standard desktop LGA platform.

Core counts differ significantly. The i5-12450H offers 8 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5's additional cores and threads explain most of its multicore wins. Cache layout is identical in structure: both have 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Die size differs, with the i5 measuring 217 mm² and the i3 at 163 mm², reflecting the i5's larger core count.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The i3-12100E has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 2.00 GHz for the i5, though the i5 boosts slightly higher at 4.40 GHz against the i3's 4.20 GHz. The TDP ratings also differ substantially: the i5 is rated at 45 watts, typical for a mobile chip, while the i3 carries a 60 watt desktop rating. This means the i3 runs at a higher power envelope despite fewer cores, which helps explain its stronger performance in some single-threaded and physics workloads.

Memory support is the same in type: both accept DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC. PCIe connectivity differs by generation: the i5 offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i3 provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the i5 featuring UHD Graphics and the i3 featuring UHD Graphics 730. The i3 has a recorded release date of January 3, 2022, while the i5's release date is not listed in the database. Both parts remain in active production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which chip wins more benchmarks overall?

A: The Intel Core i5-12450H wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core i3-12100E wins 5.

Q: Why does the i3-12100E win Cinebench R23 multicore by such a large margin?

A: The i3-12100E scores 11559 in Cinebench R23 multicore against 8822.5 for the i5-12450H, a 23.7% advantage. Despite having only 4 cores and 8 threads versus the i5's 8 cores and 12 threads, the i3's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and its 60 watt desktop power envelope contribute to this result.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: It depends on the test. The i5 wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 45.1% (238 versus 164) and Cinebench R20 single-core by 16.8% (800 versus 685). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5 wins narrowly by 1.8% (1661 versus 1631). The i3 wins the PassMark single-thread tests by 3.8% (3438 versus 3306).

Q: Which chip has more cores?

A: The i5-12450H has 8 cores and 12 threads. The i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Do both chips use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-12450H uses Intel BGA 1744, a mobile socket, while the i3-12100E uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop builds.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The i5-12450H has an average benchmark score of 17239, placing it at the 71st percentile. The i3-12100E averages 16853, at the 70th percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-12450H | Intel Core i3-12100E |

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

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 60 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Alder Lake-H | Alder Lake-S |

| Die size | 217 mm² | 163 mm² |

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

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Part number | SRLCX | SRL6U |

| Release date | Not listed | 2022-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $125 |

The Verdict

The data points to two very different use cases despite the shared Alder Lake lineage. The i5-12450H is the stronger all-around performer in the majority of recorded workloads. It wins 12 of 17 comparisons, and its victories are often decisive: 34.2% in data encryption, 34% in integer math, 29.5% in random string sorting, and 27.1% in floating-point math. Its 8 cores and 12 threads give it a clear edge in heavily threaded tasks, and its average benchmark score of 17239 sits just above the i3's 16853. The i5 also holds a 1-point percentile advantage, ranking at 71 versus the i3's 70.

The i3-12100E is not simply a slower chip, it wins where the workload favors its characteristics. The Cinebench R23 multicore result is striking: 11559 versus 8822.5, a 23.7% win for the quad-core part. This suggests that the i3's higher base clock and 60 watt desktop power budget allow it to sustain performance in certain long-running multicore renders. It also wins PassMark physics by 25.5% and the PassMark prime number test by 27%, plus the two PassMark single-thread tests by 3.8%. The i3's single-core Cinebench R23 score trails by only 1.8%, making it effectively competitive in that metric.

For a builder choosing between them, the decision hinges on platform and workload. The i5-12450H is a mobile part on the BGA 1744 socket, so it belongs in a laptop or a system designed around a soldered mobile chip. The i3-12100E is a desktop part on Socket 1700, which means it slots into a conventional desktop motherboard. The i3 also has a listed launch MSRP of $125, while the i5 has no listed launch MSRP, but the socket difference is the more practical constraint. The i5's PCIe Gen 4 versus the i3's PCIe Gen 5 is another platform-level distinction, with the i3 offering the newer interconnect generation.

The verdict from the recorded data: the i5-12450H is the better choice for multithreaded productivity and general compute workloads, provided the mobile platform is acceptable. The i3-12100E is the better choice for a desktop build where its higher base clock, physics performance, and Cinebench R23 multicore strength matter more than the i5's core count advantage.

Where Each One Wins

Choose the Intel Core i5-12450H for:

• Multithreaded compute workloads: it wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 16%, R20 multicore by 16.8%, and PassMark multithread by 14%.
• Data-heavy tasks: data compression leads by 21.9%, and random string sorting by 29.5%.
• Encryption and math: data encryption is 34.2% ahead, integer math 34% ahead, and floating-point math 27.1% ahead.
• Extended instruction workloads: 10.9% ahead in PassMark extended instructions.
• Single-core Cinebench tests: R15 single-core by 45.1%, R20 single-core by 16.8%, and R23 single-core by 1.8%.

Choose the Intel Core i3-12100E for:

• Long multicore renders: Cinebench R23 multicore wins by 23.7% (11559 versus 8822.5).
• Physics simulations: PassMark physics is 25.5% higher (1185 versus 883).
• Prime number workloads: PassMark find prime numbers is 27% higher (63 versus 46).
• PassMark single-thread performance: 3.8% ahead in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread (3438 versus 3306).
• Desktop platforms with PCIe Gen 5 support: the i3 offers Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i5 is limited to Gen 4.