Core i3-12100E vs Xeon E-2186G

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 Xeon E-2186G 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 Xeon E-2186G: 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

✅Draws 60W instead of 95W, a 35W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 730, while Xeon E-2186G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2186G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,535 vs 13,612).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E-2186G, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E-2186G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌58.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 60W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i3-12100E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-12100E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2186G better than Core i3-12100E?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2186G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-12100E is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E-2186G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.6% 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, Xeon E-2186G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E-2186G still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E-2186G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-12100E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12100E vs Xeon E-2186G 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.

Xeon E-2186G

The Xeon E-2186G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,612 points. Launch price was $506.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12100E packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2186G offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E-2186G has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12100E versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon E-2186G — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2186G (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i3-12100E uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E-2186G uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100E scores 13,535 against the Xeon E-2186G's 13,612 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E-2186G. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Xeon E-2186G
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.7 GHz+12%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	13,535	13,612
Geekbench 6 Single	1,594	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E-2186G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-12100E	Xeon E-2186G
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100E) / not specified (Xeon E-2186G). The Core i3-12100E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Xeon E-2186G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100E rivals Ryzen Embedded V3000 Series.