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Intel Core 7 160UL vs Intel Core i3-12100TE: Comparison
What is the difference between Core 7 160UL and Core i3-12100TE?
There is no decisive spec gap here. Total cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Core 7 160UL 10 against Core i3-12100TE 4. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 1.8 GHz on the Core 7 160UL versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-12100TE. They differ on tdp too, 15 W on the Core 7 160UL versus 35 W on the Core i3-12100TE. Socket is not the same on both, Socket 1700 on the Core 7 160UL versus LGA 1700 on the Core i3-12100TE. Release year is not the same on both, 2024 on the Core 7 160UL versus 2022 on the Core i3-12100TE.
Which should you buy, Core 7 160UL or Core i3-12100TE?
Buy the Core 7 160UL for thin clients and compact desktops, though it is not the pick for gaming desktops and heavy workstation loads. The Core i3-12100TE suits small-form-factor PCs and quiet builds, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core 7 160UL (7.6/10): the Intel Core 7 160UL is a low-power desktop variant, suited to compact and thin-client systems rather than performance builds. Our rating of the Core i3-12100TE (7.8/10): the Intel Core i3-12100TE is a low-power desktop chip built for compact and quiet small-form-factor systems.
What Core 7 160UL and Core i3-12100TE have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: l3 cache, integrated graphics, form factor, market segment and smt enabled are identical here. They match on 1 further specification as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core 7 160UL and Core i3-12100TE differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 2 on the Core 7 160UL versus 4 on the Core i3-12100TE.
Is the Memory Type the same on the Core 7 160UL and Core i3-12100TE?
It is. Both are listed at DDR5, DDR4, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- Desktop
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- Desktop
Codename
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- Raptor Lake
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 2024
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 15 W
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 35 W
iGPU
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- Intel UHD Graphics
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- Intel UHD Graphics 730
Market Segment
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- Embedded
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- Embedded
Socket
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- Socket 1700
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- LGA 1700
Process Node
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 10Best
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 4
Performance Cores
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 2
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 4Best
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 8Best
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 0
Total Threads
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 12Best
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 8
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- Yes
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 1.8 GHz
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 2.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 4.8 GHz
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 4.0 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 12 MB
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 12 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- 15 W
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- 35 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- DDR5, DDR4
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- DDR5, DDR4
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core 7 160UL
- Yes
- Intel Core i3-12100TE
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 160UL if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 12 MB).
Choose 12100TE if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core 7 160UL
7.6 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core 7 160UL is a low-power desktop variant, suited to compact and thin-client systems rather than performance builds.
Intel Core i3-12100TE
7.8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i3-12100TE is a low-power desktop chip built for compact and quiet small-form-factor systems.




