Core 3 100U vs Core i5-1240U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 3 100U vs Core i5-1240U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 3 100U vs Core i5-1240U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 3 100U

2024

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1240U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,312 vs 13,387).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).
❌57.9% higher power demand at 15W vs 9.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1240U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-1240U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 10W instead of 15W, a 6W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (14 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core 3 100U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240U better than Core 3 100U?

Yes. Core i5-1240U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-1240U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-1240U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-1240U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 3 100U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 3 100U vs Core i5-1240U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 3 100U

The Core 3 100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 13,312 points. Launch price was $426.

Core i5-1240U

The Core i5-1240U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,387 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 3 100U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-1240U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-1240U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core 3 100U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240U — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core 3 100U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core 3 100U uses the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-1240U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 3 100U scores 13,312 against the Core i5-1240U's 13,387 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-1240U. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core 3 100U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1240U.

Feature	Core 3 100U	Core i5-1240U
Cores / Threads	6 / 8	10 / 12+67%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+7%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz+9%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	13,312	13,387
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,650

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Memory & Platform

The Core 3 100U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-1240U uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 3 100U	Core i5-1240U
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	14

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 3 100U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1240U). The Core i5-1240U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core 3 100U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240U rivals Ryzen 5 5600U.