Core i3-12100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 210

Intel

Core i3-12100

4 Cores8 Thrd60 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 210

4 Cores8 Thrd4 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2025
Similar parts
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Core i3-12100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 210 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i3-12100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 210 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 i3-12100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 210: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-12100

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 730, while Ryzen 3 PRO 210 needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 3 PRO 210.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $122 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 PRO 210 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 1400% higher power demand at 60W vs 4W.

Ryzen 3 PRO 210

2025

Why buy it

  • Draws 4W instead of 60W, a 56W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-12100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (12,155 vs 12,315).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-12100 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-12100.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-12100 better than Ryzen 3 PRO 210?
Yes. Core i3-12100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i3-12100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.2% 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 i3-12100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-12100 is the better buy right now. Core i3-12100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $122 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (100.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 PRO 210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12100 vs Ryzen 3 PRO 210 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-12100

The Core i3-12100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,315 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 210

The Ryzen 3 PRO 210 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4 + Zen 4c) (2023−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB + 8 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,155 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-12100 and Ryzen 3 PRO 210 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-12100 versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 210 — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 PRO 210 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-12100 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 210 uses Hawk Point-U (Zen 4 + Zen 4c) (2023−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100 scores 12,315 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 210's 12,155 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-12100. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100 vs 8 MB on the Ryzen 3 PRO 210.

FeatureCore i3-12100Ryzen 3 PRO 210
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz
4.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock
3.3 GHz+10%
3 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
4 MB+220%
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Hawk Point-U (Zen 4 + Zen 4c) (2023−2025)
PassMark
12,315+1%
12,155
Geekbench 6 Single
2,157
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 210 uses FP7/FP7r2 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-12100Ryzen 3 PRO 210
Socket
LGA1700
FP7/FP7r2
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100) / not specified (Ryzen 3 PRO 210). The Core i3-12100 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 210 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100 targets Budget Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.

FeatureCore i3-12100Ryzen 3 PRO 210
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 730
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Budget Gaming Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12100 was priced at $122, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 210 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($122 vs $0), Ryzen 3 PRO 210 was $122 cheaper.

FeatureCore i3-12100Ryzen 3 PRO 210
MSRP
$122
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
100.9
Release Date
2022
2025

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