Intel Core i3-12100 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225

The Intel Core i3-12100, based on the Alder Lake S architecture and manufactured in 10 nm, is aimed at budget-conscious desktop users for everyday tasks and light productivity.

It typically features 4 cores and 8 threads, as well as 5 MB L2 and 12 MB L3 cache. Its performance is solid for basic applications. In gaming scenarios, it is suitable for casual games and older titles, with the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730 being limited for demanding games. The processor uses PCIe 5.0 and offers a maximum memory bandwidth of 77 GB/s at low power consumption, making it an energy-efficient choice.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225, a representative of the upcoming Arrow Lake architecture and manufactured using the advanced 3 nm process, targets the mainstream desktop market with higher performance demands.

It features a hybrid design with a significantly higher number of P and E cores and threads, supported by 26 MB L2 and 24 MB L3 cache. This processor offers significantly higher single-core performance and substantially increased multi-core performance, ideal for demanding applications and multitasking.

For gaming, thanks to its superior CPU performance and the integrated Intel Xe 4 Core Graphics 64 EUs (Arrow Lake), it provides a much better foundation. With PCIe 5.0 and a maximum memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s, it is future-proof. Despite its performance, it benefits from the modern manufacturing process for good energy efficiency.