Core i3-12100E 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 i3-12100E 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 i3-12100E 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 i3-12100E

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅42.9% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 14) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1240U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌531.6% higher power demand at 60W vs 9.5W.

Core i5-1240U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 10W instead of 60W, a 51W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,387 vs 13,535).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240U better than Core i3-12100E?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1240U is ahead with a 12.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12100E pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12100E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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 12.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-1240U is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i3-12100E vs Core i5-1240U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-12100E

The Core i3-12100E 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,535 points. Launch price was $149.

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 i3-12100E packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-1240U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-1240U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12100E versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240U — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-1240U (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-12100E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-1240U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100E scores 13,535 against the Core i5-1240U's 13,387 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-12100E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,594 vs 1,650, a 3.5% lead for the Core i5-1240U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Core i5-1240U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	10 / 12+150%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+191%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	Intel 7 nm-30%
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	13,535+1%	13,387
Geekbench 6 Single	1,594	1,650+4%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-1240U uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100E versus LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-1240U — the Core i5-1240U supports 8.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-12100E supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-12100E) vs 14 (Core i5-1240U) — the Core i3-12100E offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Core i5-1240U
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	LPDDR5-5200+8%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+43%	14

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 730 (Core i3-12100E) and Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-1240U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100E targets Embedded, Core i5-1240U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100E rivals Ryzen Embedded V3000 Series; Core i5-1240U rivals Ryzen 5 5600U.

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Core i5-1240U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Embedded	Thin & Light Laptop