Core i3-12100 vs Xeon W-10855M

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 Xeon W-10855M 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 Xeon W-10855M: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 730, while Xeon W-10855M needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon W-10855M.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-10855M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-10855M, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌
3.4% HIGHER MSRP
$122 MSRPvs$118 MSRP
❌3900% higher power demand at 60W vs 1.5W.

Xeon W-10855M

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Costs $4 less on MSRP ($118 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 60W, a 59W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,249 vs 12,315).
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i3-12100 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌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 Xeon W-10855M better than Core i3-12100?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-10855M makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-12100 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon W-10855M is the better buy right now. Xeon W-10855M comes in $4 cheaper on MSRP at $118 MSRP versus $122 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-12100 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 2.8% better value on MSRP (103.8 vs 100.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-12100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12100 vs Xeon W-10855M Technical Specifications

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

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	No	—
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

At launch, the Core i3-12100 was priced at $122, while the Xeon W-10855M came in at $118. On launch pricing ($122 vs $118), Xeon W-10855M was $4 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12100 delivers 100.9 pts/$ vs 103.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-10855M — making the Xeon W-10855M the 2.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-12100	Xeon W-10855M
MSRP	$122	$118-3%
Performance per Dollar	100.9	103.8+3%
Release Date	2022	2020

Search Core i3-12100 on Amazon

Search Xeon W-10855M on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.