Intel Core i3-12100TE vs Intel Core i5-1155G7 Comparison

Intel Core i5-1155G7 and Intel Core i3-12100TE are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target different market segments: one is a mobile Tiger Lake-U part, the other a desktop Alder Lake-S chip. Benchmark data shows a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the i3-12100TE across every Cinebench test, with the i5-1155G7 countering with a superior average score when Geekbench results are included. The data reveals a close contest where architectural generation and platform context matter more than raw core counts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i3-12100TE wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, but the margins are remarkably tight. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-12100TE scores 8558 against the i5-1155G7's 8155, a 4.7% lead. The single-core R23 result follows the same pattern: 1208 versus 1151, also a 4.7% advantage for the desktop chip. This consistency across the board is striking — the deltaPct for R20 multi-core and single-core is identical at 4.7%, with the i3-12100TE posting 3594 and 507 respectively, versus 3425 and 483 for the i5-1155G7.

The earliest test in the suite, Cinebench R15, shows the i3-12100TE ahead by 4.6% in multi-core (862 vs 822) and 5% in single-core (121 vs 115). That 5% single-core margin is the largest of any head-to-head result, suggesting the Alder Lake architecture's IPC advantage is most pronounced in lightly-threaded workloads. Across all six tests, the i3-12100TE's average lead hovers just under five percentage points, which is meaningful but not transformative.

However, the overall benchmark picture is more nuanced. The i5-1155G7 has an average benchmark score of 2496, slightly ahead of the i3-12100TE's 2475. This is driven by Geekbench results, where the i5-1155G7 scores 4246 multi-core and 1574 single-core — tests the i3-12100TE lacks. When compared against the i3-12100TE's nearest rivals, the i5-1155G7 shows a 0.9% advantage in average score, placing it just ahead of the Core i5-9500T (2493) and Xeon E5-2630 v3 (2507). The i3-12100TE, by contrast, sits 0.7% below the i5-9500T and 0.8% above the Core i5-8600 in its own rival list.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-12100TE is the clear winner in sustained multi-threaded compute, as evidenced by its Cinebench sweep. For users running CPU-bound tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or batch photo processing, the data shows a consistent 4.6-4.7% performance advantage in every Cinebench iteration. The single-core results are equally favorable, making the i3-12100TE the better choice for applications that are lightly threaded but latency-sensitive, such as legacy productivity software or simulation tools that rely on single-thread speed.

The i5-1155G7's wins are less about raw CPU throughput and more about platform flexibility and integrated graphics. Its Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 execution units is a substantially more capable integrated GPU than the UHD Graphics 730 found in the i3-12100TE. For a mobile system where discrete graphics may be absent, that GPU difference is decisive for casual gaming, video playback, or GPU-accelerated encode workloads. The i5-1155G7 also supports LPDDR4X memory, which is common in thin-and-light laptops, while the i3-12100TE is limited to DDR4 and DDR5 on a desktop platform.

Geekbench results further bolster the i5-1155G7's case. Its 4246 multi-core and 1574 single-core scores are not directly comparable to the i3-12100TE (which has no Geekbench entries), but they contribute to its higher average benchmark score of 2496 versus 2475. This suggests that in a broader mix of workloads beyond Cinebench, the mobile chip is at least competitive, and possibly slightly faster, than its desktop rival.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel architectures and market segments. The i5-1155G7 is built on Tiger Lake-U, a 10 nm mobile design with a die size of 144 mm². It uses the Willow Cove-U core microarchitecture and is packaged in an Intel BGA 1449 socket, making it a soldered, non-upgradable mobile part. The i3-12100TE is Alder Lake-S, also on a 10 nm process, but with a larger 163 mm² die and a desktop-oriented Intel Socket 1700. Its Golden Cove cores are part of the Alder Lake-S family, designed for higher sustained power delivery.

Clock speeds differ notably. The i5-1155G7 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the i3-12100TE runs at 2.10 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. Despite the i3-12100TE's lower clocks, it wins every Cinebench test, indicating that the Alder Lake core architecture delivers higher instructions-per-clock than Tiger Lake. The i3-12100TE also has a higher TDP of 35 watts versus 28 watts for the i5-1155G7, which allows for more sustained power draw on a desktop platform.

Cache configurations are similar at the L1 and L2 levels — both have 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. The key difference is L3 cache: the i3-12100TE has 12 MB shared, while the i5-1155G7 has 8 MB shared. That 4 MB difference likely contributes to the i3-12100TE's better multi-threaded performance in cache-sensitive workloads. Memory support also diverges: the i5-1155G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the i3-12100TE supports DDR4 and DDR5, with both using dual-channel memory buses. PCIe connectivity favors the i3-12100TE with Gen 5 and 20 lanes, versus Gen 4 and 16 lanes on the i5-1155G7, though this matters only on the desktop platform where expansion cards are common.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core i3-12100TE for pure CPU performance. It wins all six Cinebench benchmarks with margins between 4.6% and 5%, and its larger 12 MB L3 cache and higher 35-watt TDP make it the better choice for sustained multi-threaded workloads. Users building a desktop system for rendering, compilation, or heavy multitasking should select the i3-12100TE based on these results. The i5-1155G7's higher clock speeds (4.50 GHz boost vs 4.00 GHz) and Geekbench advantage suggest it closes the gap in shorter, bursty workloads, but the Cinebench data is unambiguous: the i3-12100TE is faster in every measured render test.

However, the i5-1155G7 is not without merit. Its average benchmark score of 2496 exceeds the i3-12100TE's 2475, and its Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 EUs is far superior to the UHD Graphics 730 for integrated graphics duties. For a mobile user who needs a capable CPU with strong iGPU performance, or for anyone who values the lower 28-watt TDP for battery life, the i5-1155G7 is the rational pick. The i3-12100TE is a desktop part with a 35-watt TDP, no LPDDR4X support, and weaker integrated graphics, making it unsuitable for fanless or battery-powered designs.

Neither processor is a performance leader — both sit at the 49th percentile among all CPUs, and their nearest rivals include older parts like the Core i5-9500T and Xeon E5-2630 v3. The i5-1155G7's launch MSRP was $309, while the i3-12100TE's was $125. For a desktop builder prioritizing raw CPU throughput, the i3-12100TE is the clear winner. For a mobile user needing balanced CPU and GPU performance, the i5-1155G7 is the better fit, despite its higher launch price and lower Cinebench scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100TE wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In R23, it scores 8558 versus 8155 for the i5-1155G7, a 4.7% advantage. The R20 and R15 results show the same pattern, with the i3-12100TE ahead by 4.7% and 4.6% respectively.

Q: Does the i5-1155G7 have any performance advantage over the i3-12100TE?

A: Yes, in Geekbench. The i5-1155G7 scores 4246 multi-core and 1574 single-core, which contributes to its higher average benchmark score of 2496 versus 2475 for the i3-12100TE. The i3-12100TE has no Geekbench results in the data.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The i5-1155G7 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, while the i3-12100TE has UHD Graphics 730. The Iris Xe solution is significantly more capable for graphics-intensive tasks, though no specific benchmark numbers are provided.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The i5-1155G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the i3-12100TE supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i3-12100TE's DDR5 support is exclusive to its desktop platform.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i3-12100TE has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-1155G7 has 8 MB. Both have identical L1 (80 KB per core) and L2 (1.25 MB per core) configurations.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall ranking?

A: Both sit at the 49th percentile among all CPUs. The i5-1155G7 has an average benchmark score of 2496, while the i3-12100TE scores 2475, placing them within 0.9% of each other in aggregate performance.