
Core i3-12100 vs Xeon W-10855M

Core i3-12100

Xeon W-10855M
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 Xeon W-10855M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-12100 | Xeon W-10855M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($43) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake-H (2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-12100 | Xeon W-10855M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+316%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($43) |
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 Xeon W-10855M

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.

Xeon W-10855M
The Xeon W-10855M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,249 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i3-12100 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W-10855M offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W-10855M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-12100 versus 4.9 GHz on the Xeon W-10855M — a 13% clock advantage for the Xeon W-10855M (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-12100 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon W-10855M uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100 scores 12,315 against the Xeon W-10855M's 12,249 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-12100. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100 vs 12 MB on the Xeon W-10855M.
| Feature | Core i3-12100 | Xeon W-10855M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.9 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+18% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 12 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1.5 MB+20% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Comet Lake-H (2020) |
| PassMark | 12,315 | 12,249 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,157 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-12100 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon W-10855M uses BGA1440 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-12100 | Xeon W-10855M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | BGA1440 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100) / not specified (Xeon W-10855M). The Core i3-12100 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Xeon W-10855M requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100 targets Budget Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100 rivals Ryzen 5 5500.
| Feature | Core i3-12100 | Xeon W-10855M |
|---|---|---|
| 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
The Core i3-12100 launched at $122 MSRP, while the Xeon W-10855M debuted at $118. At current prices ($180 vs $43), the Xeon W-10855M is $137 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12100 delivers 68.4 pts/$ vs 284.9 pts/$ for the Xeon W-10855M — making the Xeon W-10855M the 122.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-12100 | Xeon W-10855M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $122 | $118-3% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $180 | $43-76% |
| Performance per Dollar | 68.4 | 284.9+317% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2020 |
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