Core i3-12100T vs Core Ultra 7 164U

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 i3-12100T vs Core Ultra 7 164U 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 i3-12100T vs Core Ultra 7 164U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-12100T

2022

Why buy it

✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 164U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 164U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,491 vs 12,625).
❌Launch MSRP is still $125 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 164U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core Ultra 7 164U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-12100T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 164U better than Core i3-12100T?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 164U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 164U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.1% 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, Core Ultra 7 164U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 164U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12100T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 7 164U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-12100T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (99.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core Ultra 7 164U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-12100T vs Core Ultra 7 164U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-12100T

The Core i3-12100T 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,491 points. Launch price was $149.

Core Ultra 7 164U

The Core Ultra 7 164U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,625 points. Launch price was $448.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12100T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 164U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-12100T versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U — a 15.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-12100T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100T scores 12,491 against the Core Ultra 7 164U's 12,625 — a 1.1% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,102 vs 2,131, a 1.4% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12100T	Core Ultra 7 164U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	12 / 14+200%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.8 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+100%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Meteor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	12,491	12,625+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,766
Geekbench 6 Single	2,102	2,131+1%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,973

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses FCBGA2551 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100T versus LPDDR5x-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 164U — the Core Ultra 7 164U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-12100T 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 i3-12100T) vs 12 (Core Ultra 7 164U) — the Core i3-12100T offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i3-12100T) and Meteor Lake-U (Core Ultra 7 164U).

Feature	Core i3-12100T	Core Ultra 7 164U
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA2551
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	LPDDR5x-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 730 (Core i3-12100T) and Intel Arc (Core Ultra 7 164U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100T targets Low Power Desktop, Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100T rivals Ryzen 3 5300GE; Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.

Feature	Core i3-12100T	Core Ultra 7 164U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	Intel Arc
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Enthusiast