Core i3-12100 vs Ryzen Z2 Go
Core i3-12100
Ryzen Z2 Go
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-12100
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen Z2 Go
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-12100 | Ryzen Z2 Go |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Rembrandt R (2025) / 6 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-12100 | Ryzen Z2 Go |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-12100 and Ryzen Z2 Go
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.
Ryzen Z2 Go
The Ryzen Z2 Go is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Rembrandt R (2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 8 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 12,188 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-12100 and Ryzen Z2 Go share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-12100 versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 Go — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-12100 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Z2 Go uses Rembrandt R (2025) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100 scores 12,315 against the Ryzen Z2 Go's 12,188 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-12100. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,157 vs 1,842, a 15.8% lead for the Core i3-12100 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100 vs 8 MB on the Ryzen Z2 Go.
| Feature | Core i3-12100 | Ryzen Z2 Go |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+10% | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+50% | 8 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB+60% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 6 nm-14% |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Rembrandt R (2025) |
| PassMark | 12,315+1% | 12,188 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 5,802 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,157+17% | 1,842 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 6,073 |
Memory & Platform
Both support up to DDR5-4800 memory speed. The Core i3-12100 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-12100) vs 16 (Ryzen Z2 Go) — the Core i3-12100 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i3-12100) and Rembrandt-R (Ryzen Z2 Go).
| Feature | Core i3-12100 | Ryzen Z2 Go |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100) vs SVM (Ryzen Z2 Go). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 730 (Core i3-12100) and Radeon 680M (Ryzen Z2 Go) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100 targets Budget Gaming Desktop, Ryzen Z2 Go targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100 rivals Ryzen 5 5500; Ryzen Z2 Go rivals Core Ultra 5 135U.
| Feature | Core i3-12100 | Ryzen Z2 Go |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 730 | Radeon 680M |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | SVM |
| Target Use | Budget Gaming Desktop | Budget |
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