CPU Comparison
Intel Core 7 150UL vs Intel Core i3-12100
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core 7 150UL is a highly efficient 10-core processor from the Raptor Lake-PS family, featuring a 15 W base TDP, 2 Performance-cores, 8 Efficient-cores, and integrated Iris Xe Graphics, designed specifically for ultra-compact and low-power desktop form factors.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for word processing, spreadsheets, and light multitasking, but heavily threaded tasks will be slow due to the 15W limit.
Handles everyday office tasks and web applications with ease, but heavy multitasking will expose the 4-core limitation.
Gaming
The integrated 96EU Iris Xe can handle older or esports titles at low settings, but it is not built for modern AAA gaming.
Delivers playable 1080p frame rates in esports and older AAA titles when paired with a mid-range GPU, though 4 cores limit performance in modern CPU-heavy games.
Virtualization
Can run basic VMs, but memory and core limits make it unsuitable for extensive virtualization.
Can run a single lightweight virtual machine, but lacks the core count for serious virtualization workloads.
Efficiency
Exceptional power efficiency, drawing very little power under both idle and load conditions.
Very power-efficient for a desktop processor, drawing little power at idle and scaling linearly under load.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Lacks dedicated NPU
- No AVX-512 support for AI workloads
- CPU-based AI inference will be extremely slow
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- CPU-based inference is slow with only 4 cores
- Not designed or recommended for machine learning tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Relies entirely on integrated Iris Xe graphics
- Playable frame rates only in lightweight esports titles
- Modern AAA games will struggle significantly even at 720p low settings
- Strong single-core performance benefits esports titles significantly
- Bottlenecks appear with GPUs above the RTX 3060 tier in CPU-bound games
- UHD 730 iGPU is insufficient for modern gaming
- 4 cores and 8 threads are the minimum recommended for modern PC gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Extremely low 15W power consumption
- Capable 96EU Iris Xe integrated graphics
- Hybrid architecture handles multitasking well for its tier
- Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory
- Operates with minimal cooling requirements
Cons
- Severely limited 8 direct PCIe 4.0 lanes
- Low base clock of 1.7 GHz
- Not suitable for modern gaming or heavy workloads
- Locked multiplier prevents any performance tuning
- Highly niche product with limited motherboard options
Pros
- Outstanding single-thread performance for the price
- Includes UHD Graphics 730 for display output without a dGPU
- Bundled Laminar RM1 cooler saves money
- DDR4 and DDR5 memory flexibility
- PCIe 5.0 support for future-proofing
- Very low 60 W power consumption
Cons
- Only 4 cores limit heavy multi-threaded workloads
- No hybrid E-cores like higher-tier Alder Lake parts
- Locked multiplier prevents CPU overclocking
- UHD 730 iGPU is too weak for modern gaming
- LGA 1700 is a dead-end platform following 14th-gen
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core 7 150UL
- AMD Ryzen 5 8500GRival
Desktop APU
- AMD Ryzen 3 8300GRival
Budget Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-13400TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GERival
Efficient Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-12100TRival
Entry-Level Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
A much faster standard 65W desktop CPU if your case allows a slightly larger cooler.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Excellent budget alternative with strong multi-threaded performance and capable iGPU.
Delivers superior single-core gaming performance at a very low price point.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-12100
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Rival
Budget Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300GRival
Budget APU
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Rival
Previous-Gen AM4
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10100Rival
Previous-Gen Intel
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600GRival
Mainstream APU
Saves $25 if a dedicated GPU is already part of the build plan.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Provides 6 Golden Cove cores for significantly better multitasking and gaming longevity.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
A step up in price but offers a much more balanced 6-core/12-thread profile for gaming and productivity.
If priced similarly, the 13th-gen offers a slight frequency bump for a seamless upgrade.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The Core 7 150UL excels in power efficiency rather than raw performance, making it a niche but solid choice for ultra-small form factor desktops where thermal and power limits are strictly enforced.
Best for: Building a completely silent, ultra-compact mini-PC or small form factor desktop where absolute minimal power draw and heat output are the primary design constraints.
Read the full reviewThe i3-12100 delivers exceptional single-threaded performance for its $122 price point, complete with an iGPU and a stock cooler, making it one of the most well-rounded budget desktop processors Intel has ever produced.
Best for: Buy the i3-12100 if you are building a budget desktop PC and want the peace of mind of having integrated graphics as a fallback, or if you do not plan to install a dedicated GPU. At its current street price, it is an excellent choice for office PCs, student workstations, and entry-level gaming rigs paired with a mid-range graphics card like the GTX 1660 Super or RX 6600. Avoid it only if you are certain you will never need the iGPU, as the 12100F offers identical CPU performance for less money.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core 7 150UL or Intel Core i3-12100?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-12100 comes out ahead with a score of 7.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core 7 150UL or Intel Core i3-12100?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-12100 leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core 7 150UL and Intel Core i3-12100.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core 7 150UL has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core 7 150UL (15 W), Intel Core i3-12100 (60 W).
Do Intel Core 7 150UL and Intel Core i3-12100 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core 7 150UL: Intel Socket 1700, Intel Core i3-12100: LGA 1700), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core 7 150UL has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core 7 150UL (10 cores), Intel Core i3-12100 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-12100 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-12100 (8,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.