CPU
GPU
Core i7-9700E
Core i3-12100T
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 i7-9700E
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-12100T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-9700E | Core i3-12100T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($90) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-9700E | Core i3-12100T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+99%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($90) |
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 i7-9700E and Core i3-12100T
Core i7-9700E
The Core i7-9700E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,575 points. Launch price was $149.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-9700E packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-12100T offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700E has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9700E versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-12100T — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700E (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-9700E uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-12100T uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700E scores 12,575 against the Core i3-12100T's 12,491 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-9700E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,172 vs 2,102, a 56.8% lead for the Core i3-12100T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core i3-12100T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+100% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+7% | 4.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+18% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 12,575 | 12,491 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,800 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,172 | 2,102+79% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 6,802 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-9700E uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-12100T uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700E versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100T — the Core i3-12100T supports 22.2% 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: 16 (Core i7-9700E) vs 20 (Core i3-12100T) — the Core i3-12100T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i7-9700E) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i3-12100T).
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core i3-12100T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR5-4800+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-9700E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100T). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700E) and UHD Graphics 730 (Core i3-12100T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100T rivals Ryzen 3 5300GE.
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core i3-12100T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | UHD Graphics 730 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Low Power Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-9700E launched at $259 MSRP, while the Core i3-12100T debuted at $125. At current prices ($180 vs $90), the Core i3-12100T is $90 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700E delivers 69.9 pts/$ vs 138.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-12100T — making the Core i3-12100T the 66.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core i3-12100T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $259 | $125-52% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $180 | $90-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 69.9 | 138.8+99% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2022 |
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