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 i3-12100TE vs Core i7-9750HF 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 i3-12100TE vs Core i7-9750HF: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-12100TE

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $246 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
✅Delivers 166.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 70.0 vs 26.3 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9750HF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-9750HF

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,393 vs 10,432).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.3 vs 70.0 PassMark/$ ($395 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i3-12100TE moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-12100TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-12100TE better than Core i7-9750HF?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9750HF is ahead with a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12100TE pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12100TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-12100TE is the better buy right now. Core i3-12100TE comes in $246 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $395 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9750HF is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 166.1% better value on MSRP (70.0 vs 26.3 PassMark/$), 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 i3-12100TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), 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 i3-12100TE vs Core i7-9750HF Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-12100TE

The Core i3-12100TE 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 10,432 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-9750HF

The Core i7-9750HF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,393 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12100TE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-9750HF offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9750HF has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i3-12100TE versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9750HF — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-9750HF (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-12100TE uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-9750HF uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12100TE scores 10,432 against the Core i7-9750HF's 10,393 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-12100TE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,100 vs 1,120, a 60.9% lead for the Core i3-12100TE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12100TE	Core i7-9750HF
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.5 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.6 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	10,432	10,393
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,915
Geekbench 6 Single	2,100+88%	1,120
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,149

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12100TE uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-9750HF uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100TE versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9750HF — the Core i3-12100TE supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-12100TE) vs 16 (Core i7-9750HF) — the Core i3-12100TE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,Q670,W680,H770 (Core i3-12100TE) and HM370,QM370,CM246 (Core i7-9750HF).

Feature	Core i3-12100TE	Core i7-9750HF
Socket	LGA1700	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100TE) vs Yes (Core i7-9750HF). The Core i3-12100TE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Core i7-9750HF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100TE rivals Ryzen Embedded V2000.

Feature	Core i3-12100TE	Core i7-9750HF
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 730	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12100TE was priced at $149, while the Core i7-9750HF came in at $395. On launch pricing ($149 vs $395), Core i3-12100TE was $246 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12100TE delivers 70.0 pts/$ vs 26.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-9750HF — making the Core i3-12100TE the 90.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-12100TE	Core i7-9750HF
MSRP	$149-62%	$395
Performance per Dollar	70.0+166%	26.3
Release Date	2022	2019

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