Core i5-10600 vs Core i3-12100E
Core i5-10600
Core i3-12100E
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10600
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-10600 | Core i3-12100E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($159) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-10600 | Core i3-12100E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($159) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-10600 and Core i3-12100E
Core i5-10600
The Core i5-10600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,573 points. Launch price was $149.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i5-10600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i3-12100E offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-10600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-10600 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12100E — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-10600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-10600 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-12100E uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10600 scores 13,573 against the Core i3-12100E's 13,535 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-10600. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-10600 | Core i3-12100E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz+14% | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+3% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 14 nm | 10 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Comet Lake (2020−2025) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 13,573 | 13,535 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,594 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-10600 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-12100E uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-10600 | Core i3-12100E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-10600) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100E). The Core i3-12100E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Core i5-10600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100E rivals Ryzen Embedded V3000 Series.
| Feature | Core i5-10600 | Core i3-12100E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 730 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Embedded |
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