How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 scores 21.1/100 overall; Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100. AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins 2 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-12100 wins 16.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 and the Intel Core i3-12100?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 advantages: 20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20; Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $109 vs $122. Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: Stronger single-core score: 55 vs 20; Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 22; 190% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 8,700 vs 3,000; 180% higher PassMark: 14,000 vs 5,000; 179% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 6,700 vs 2,400.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Intel Core i3-12100?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 launched cheaper at $109, versus $122 for the Intel Core i3-12100.

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i3-12100

AMD

AMD Ryzen 3 1200

$109

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

20Single-core55.3

22Multi-core34.2

20.6Gamingspec-based36

2 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 3 120016 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i3-12100 wins this desktop processor face-off, 41 to 21.1, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+35) and multi-core (+12). AMD Ryzen 3 1200 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 3 1200

20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20
Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $109 vs $122

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100

Stronger single-core score: 55 vs 20
Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 22
190% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 8,700 vs 3,000
180% higher PassMark: 14,000 vs 5,000
179% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 6,700 vs 2,400

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-12100
Announced	2017	2022
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
Process	14 nm	10 nm+29%
Base TDP	65 W	60 W+8%
Max turbo power	88 W	89 W+1%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-12100
Cores	4	4
Performance cores	4	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	8+100%
Base clock	3.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+6%
Boost clock	3.4 GHz	4.3 GHz+26%
L2 cache	2 MB	5 MB+150%
L3 cache	8 MB	12 MB+50%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-12100
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 730
iGPU clock	—	1,400 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-12100
Memory support	DDR4-2667	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	64 GB	128 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-12100
PCIe version	3	5+67%
CPU PCIe lanes	24+20%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 3 1200 versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i3-12100
Geekbench 6 (single)	920Bottom 3%	2,050+123%Top 49%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	2,400Bottom 3%	6,700+179%Bottom 33%
Cinebench R23 (single)	830Bottom 2%	1,680+102%Top 47%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,000Bottom 2%	8,700+190%Bottom 29%
PassMark	5,000Bottom 3%	14,000+180%Bottom 24%

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