Apple M2 vs Core i3-12100F: specs and benchmark comparison
Short verdict
Apple M2 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
A +7.3%Apple M2 leads in this scenario (up to 7.3% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M2 is better2
Blender Benchmark 3.4.0 7.3% faster117 samples/min vs 109 samples/min
Cores 4 more8 (4P + 4E) vs 4
Where Core i3-12100F is better1
Max memory capacity 104 GB more128 GB vs 24 GB
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- A ahead by 7.3%
Blender Benchmark 3.4.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M2116.6 samples/minCore i3-12100F108.6 samples/minPosition among tested models (36)
B · 109A · 1170200400600Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Apple M2 is ahead by 7.3% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M2
116.6 samples/min · community measurement, sample 78 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 78 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 107.28–146.14; submissions 2022-12-15 to 2024-01-25; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core i3-12100F
108.6 samples/min · community measurement, sample 25 · November 15, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 25 submissions (3 outliers excluded), interquartile range 103.11–115.45; submissions 2022-12-11 to 2023-10-20; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-15.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Reference results (18)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 105.5 | 98.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 111.7 | 105.5 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 104.4 | 109.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 102 | 107.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.0.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 106.7 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 105 | 108.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 143.1 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 132.6 | 109.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 113.5 | 117.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 108.6 | 110.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 110.4 | 109.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 109.2 | 103.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 107.4 | 104.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 107.4 | 103.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 107.5 | 104.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 103.2 | 107.6 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 104.9 | 115.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 118.2 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Apple M2 | B · Core i3-12100F | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 8 (4P + 4E) | 4 | A: 4 more |
| Threads | no data | 8 | no data for A |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | no data | 3.3 GHz | no data for A |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | no data | 4.3 GHz | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L2 cache | no data | 5 MB | no data for A |
| L3 cache | no data | 12 MB | no data for A |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | no data | LGA1700 | no data for A |
| Process node | 5 nm | Intel 7 | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | DDR4, DDR5 | differs |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | no data | 4,800 MT/s | no data for A |
| Max memory capacity | 24 GB | 128 GB | B: 104 GB more |
| PCI Express | no data | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M2 (8 / 10-core GPU) | none | differs |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | no data | 58 W | no data for A |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | no data | 89 W | no data for A |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A8 (4P + 4E)
B4
A: 4 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
Ano data
B8
no data for ABase clock
Ano data
B3.3 GHz
no data for AFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
Ano data
B4.3 GHz
no data for A
Cache
L2 cache
Ano data
B5 MB
no data for AL3 cache
Ano data
B12 MB
no data for A
Platform
Socket
Ano data
BLGA1700
no data for AProcess node
A5 nm
BIntel 7
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BDDR4, DDR5
differsMemory channels
Ano data
B2
no data for AOfficial memory speed
Ano data
B4,800 MT/s
no data for AFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A24 GB
B128 GB
B: 104 GB morePCI Express
Ano data
BPCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 20 lanes
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M2 (8 / 10-core GPU)
Bnone
differs
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
Ano data
B58 W
no data for AMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
Ano data
B89 W
no data for A
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M2: Apple M2 (8 / 10-core GPU). Intel Core i3-12100F: no.
Which is faster: Apple M2 or Intel Core i3-12100F?
Apple M2 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (3)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M2checked November 14, 2026
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core i3-12100Fchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.0.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.