Intel Core i3-9100 vs Intel Core i3-12100

The Intel Core i3-9100 is based on the Coffee Lake S Refresh architecture and was manufactured using the 14 nm process.

As an entry-level processor, it is aimed at users with basic requirements in the office or home environment. It has four cores and four threads, with no Level 2 cache specified. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 handles simple graphical output. In benchmarks, the Intel Core i3-9100 shows a solid basic performance, which, however, lags significantly behind solutions with newer architectures.

With a memory bandwidth of 38 GB/s and PCIe 3.0, the connection of components is limited to established standards. The Level 3 cache is 6 MB. For demanding games, the performance is often only sufficient for low requirements. The thermal design power allows for economical operation. The model is primarily suitable for simple desktop systems without high computing loads.

The Intel Core i3-12100 uses the Alder Lake S architecture and is produced using the 10 nm process. It targets users looking for high efficiency for everyday tasks and games.

With four cores and eight threads, it offers significantly higher multitasking performance through hyper-threading. The Level 2 cache is 5 MB. In benchmarks, the Intel Core i3-12100 significantly outperforms the Intel Core i3-9100 in both single-core and multi-core performance by over 10 percent.

Thanks to PCIe 5.0 and a memory bandwidth of 77 GB/s, it offers a contemporary platform. The Intel UHD Graphics 730 is used for graphics output. In games, the processor benefits from the larger Level 3 cache of 12 MB and the improved architecture. It represents a recommendable choice for low-cost gaming PCs and productive home systems, as the price-performance ratio is advantageous.