Core i3-12100F vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

Intel

Core i3-12100F

4 Cores8 Thrd58 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Core i3-12100F vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i3-12100F vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G 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 i3-12100F vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-12100F

2022

Why buy it

  • +1.4% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Costs $53 less on MSRP ($97 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • Delivers 56.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 144.1 vs 91.9 PassMark/$ ($97 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • Draws 58W instead of 65W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (13,787 vs 13,979).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 91.9 vs 144.1 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $97 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i3-12100F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-12100F better than Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G is ahead with a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12100F pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Core i3-12100F also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12100F is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-12100F is the better buy right now. Core i3-12100F comes in $53 cheaper on MSRP at $97 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 56.8% better value on MSRP (144.1 vs 91.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-12100F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12100F vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-12100F

The Core i3-12100F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 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): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 13,979 points. Launch price was $97.

AMD

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

The Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 13,787 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-12100F and Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-12100F versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-12100F (base: 3.3 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i3-12100F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100F scores 13,979 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G's 13,787 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i3-12100F. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100F vs 8 MB on the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G.

FeatureCore i3-12100FRyzen 3 PRO 5350G
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+2%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
4 GHz+21%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)+50%
8 MB
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark
13,979+1%
13,787
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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-12100FRyzen 3 PRO 5350G
Socket
LGA1700
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12100F was priced at $97, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G came in at $150. On launch pricing ($97 vs $150), Core i3-12100F was $53 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12100F delivers 144.1 pts/$ vs 91.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G — making the Core i3-12100F the 44.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-12100FRyzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP
$97-35%
$150
Performance per Dollar
144.1+57%
91.9
Release Date
2022
2021

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