Intel Core i3-12100E vs Intel Core Ultra 5 134U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core i3-12100E dominates the overall head-to-head, winning 13 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U secures 4 wins. The most striking difference appears in multi-core workloads, particularly in Cinebench R23 where the i3-12100E scores 11,559 against the Ultra 5's 5,572, a decisive 51.8% advantage. This pattern repeats across other multi-threaded tests: the i3 leads by 23.2% in Cinebench R15 multicore (1,164 vs 894), by 2.7% in R20 multicore (4,854 vs 4,725), and by 12.7% in PassMark multithread (14,271 vs 12,464).

The i3-12100E also shows strength in single-threaded performance, leading in Cinebench R23 singlecore by 3.4% (1,631 vs 1,576) and in PassMark single-thread by 10.9% (3,438 vs 3,063). The desktop chip wins PassMark data compression by 22.1% (160,112 vs 124,771), extended instructions by 35.3% (10,814 vs 7,002), and physics by 25.5% (1,185 vs 883). It also leads in random string sorting by 14.8% and prime number finding by 11.1%.

The Ultra 5 134U's wins are narrower but revealing. Its largest victory comes in Cinebench R15 singlecore, where it scores 221 versus the i3's 164, a substantial 34.8% margin. In PassMark integer math, the Ultra 5 leads by 25.5% (51,306 vs 40,885), and in floating point math it edges ahead by 1.6% (32,425 vs 31,919). The fourth win is almost negligible: PassMark data encryption shows a 0.1% difference (8,077 vs 8,069), essentially a statistical tie. These results suggest the Ultra 5 excels at certain integer-heavy and encryption tasks despite its overall deficit.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E holds a higher average benchmark score of 16,853 compared to the Ultra 5 134U's 15,910, a difference of approximately 5.6%.

Q: Does the Ultra 5 134U win any multi-core tests?

A: No. The i3-12100E wins every multi-core benchmark in the database, including Cinebench R15, R20, R23, PassMark multithread, and PassMark physics tests.

Q: In which single-core test does the Ultra 5 134U outperform the i3-12100E?

A: The Ultra 5 wins Cinebench R15 singlecore with a score of 221 versus 164 for the i3, a 34.8% advantage. However, the i3 wins Cinebench R23 singlecore and PassMark single-thread tests.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The Ultra 5 134U belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 with Meteor Lake architecture, released in 2023, while the i3-12100E is from the Core 12th Gen Alder Lake-S family, released in 2022.

Q: Do both processors have the same L3 cache size?

A: Yes, both feature 12 MB of shared L3 cache. However, the Ultra 5 has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches: 112 KB and 2 MB per core respectively, versus 80 KB and 1.25 MB per core for the i3.

Q: What are the power consumption figures for each chip?

A: The Ultra 5 134U has a TDP of 9 watts, while the i3-12100E has a TDP of 60 watts, reflecting their different design targets for mobile versus desktop use.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Ultra 5 134U uses Intel's Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm process node, while the i3-12100E relies on Alder Lake-S built on a 10 nm process. This process difference partially explains the Ultra 5's dramatically lower power envelope: 9 watts versus 60 watts for the i3. The Ultra 5 is built for the mobile segment with an Intel BGA 2551 socket, whereas the i3 targets desktops with an Intel Socket 1700.

Core configurations diverge sharply. The Ultra 5 packs 12 cores with 14 threads, a hybrid arrangement likely combining performance and efficiency cores. The i3-12100E offers 4 cores with 8 threads, a more conventional design. Despite having three times the core count, the Ultra 5 cannot match the i3 in sustained multi-threaded workloads, likely due to its power constraints and efficiency-oriented core mix. The i3 also carries a larger die size at 163 mm², though the database does not list a die size for the Ultra 5.

Cache hierarchies differ in interesting ways. The Ultra 5 provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, while the i3 offers 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Ultra 5 may contribute to its integer math and floating point wins. Integrated graphics also differ: the Ultra 5 features Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, a more advanced GPU solution, while the i3 uses UHD Graphics 730.

PCIe support presents another contrast. The i3-12100E offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes, a newer and wider interface, while the Ultra 5 provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Memory support shows the i3 accepting both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the Ultra 5's DDR5 support depends on the motherboard. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The production status for both is listed as Active.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several clear divergences between the two processors. The Ultra 5 134U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the Ultra 5 runs at 700 MHz base, while the i3 starts at 3.20 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the Ultra 5 reaching 4.40 GHz and the i3 reaching 4.20 GHz.

Power consumption is the most dramatic specification gap. The Ultra 5's TDP of 9 watts stands in stark contrast to the i3's 60 watts, a 6.7x difference that reflects their intended platforms. The socket types differ entirely: BGA 2551 for the mobile Ultra 5 versus Socket 1700 for the desktop i3. Process nodes also differ, with the Ultra 5 on 7 nm and the i3 on 10 nm.

The cache hierarchy shows the Ultra 5 with larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, but identical L3 capacity at 12 MB. PCIe capabilities favor the i3 with Gen 5 and 20 lanes versus Gen 4 and 8 lanes on the Ultra 5. Integrated graphics differ, with the Ultra 5 using Arc Xe-LPG 64EU and the i3 using UHD Graphics 730. Memory support shows the i3 accepting both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5's DDR5 support depends on the motherboard. The release dates differ by nearly two years, with the i3 launching in January 2022 and the Ultra 5 in December 2023. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear performance hierarchy for most workloads: the i3-12100E is the stronger processor in the majority of benchmark scenarios, particularly for multi-threaded rendering, compression, physics simulation, and general single-thread tasks. Its 51.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 35.3% lead in extended instructions demonstrate a substantial performance advantage in compute-heavy applications. The i3 also wins in PassMark multithread, data compression, random string sorting, and prime number finding, establishing it as the more capable all-around performer.

However, the Ultra 5 134U's wins are not trivial. Its 34.8% victory in Cinebench R15 singlecore and 25.5% lead in integer math suggest specific strengths that could matter in certain workloads. The floating point math advantage, while small at 1.6%, adds to the picture of a chip that handles mathematical operations efficiently. The data encryption result is effectively a tie, showing near-parity in that task.

The decision between these two processors depends heavily on context. For desktop users who need raw compute power, the i3-12100E is the clear choice based on benchmark results. For mobile applications where power consumption is critical, the Ultra 5's 9 watt TDP versus 60 watts for the i3 makes it dramatically more efficient, though the performance cost is significant. The Ultra 5 also offers more cores and threads, which could benefit highly parallel workloads that scale well across many threads, despite the i3's better performance in the tested multi-thread benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i3-12100E Wins:

• Multi-core rendering: 51.8% ahead in Cinebench R23 multicore, 23.2% in R15 multicore
• Extended instruction workloads: 35.3% advantage in PassMark extended instructions
• Physics simulation: 25.5% faster in PassMark physics
• Data compression: 22.1% higher score in PassMark data compression
• General multithreaded performance: 12.7% lead in PassMark multithread
• Single-thread tasks: 10.9% faster in PassMark single-thread, 3.4% in Cinebench R23 singlecore
• String sorting: 14.8% ahead in random string sorting
• Prime number calculations: 11.1% faster

Intel Core Ultra 5 134U Wins:

• Cinebench R15 singlecore: 34.8% faster (221 vs 164)
• Integer math: 25.5% ahead (51,306 vs 40,885)
• Floating point math: 1.6% faster (32,425 vs 31,919)
• Data encryption: 0.1% ahead (8,077 vs 8,069), effectively a tie

The i3-12100E is the processor for users prioritizing raw performance across most workloads, especially rendering, compression, and physics. The Ultra 5 134U shows specific strengths in integer-heavy calculations and holds its own in encryption, making it suitable for tasks that exercise those capabilities. Its 12-core, 14-thread configuration offers more parallel resources, while its 9 watt TDP suggests a design focused on efficiency for mobile platforms. The i3's 4-core, 8-thread setup delivers superior performance per core in most tests, but the Ultra 5's advantages in certain math operations and its vastly lower power draw tell a different story for different use cases.