Core i3-1220P vs Core i3-12300

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1220P vs Core i3-12300 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1220P vs Core i3-12300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1220P

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 60W, a 32W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 64EU, while Core i3-12300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 58.0 vs 100.6 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $143 MSRP).

Core i3-12300

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $107 less on MSRP ($143 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 73.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.6 vs 58.0 PassMark/$ ($143 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-1220P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,384 vs 14,496).
❌114.3% higher power demand at 60W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1220P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1220P better than Core i3-12300?

Yes. Core i3-1220P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-1220P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1220P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1220P is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12300 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i3-1220P comes in 74.8% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $143 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-12300 is also 73.5% better value on MSRP (100.6 vs 58.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1220P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1220P vs Core i3-12300 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1220P

The Core i3-1220P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,496 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-12300

The Core i3-12300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 14,384 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1220P packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i3-12300 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-1220P has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1220P versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-12300 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-1220P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i3-12300 uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1220P scores 14,496 against the Core i3-12300's 14,384 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-1220P. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-1220P	Core i3-12300
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+150%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+133%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-P (2022)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	14,496	14,384
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,921	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,971	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,056	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1220P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i3-12300 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1220P	Core i3-12300
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-1220P) / not specified (Core i3-12300). The Core i3-1220P includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 64EU), while the Core i3-12300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1220P targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i3-1220P rivals Ryzen 3 5425U.

Feature	Core i3-1220P	Core i3-12300
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 64EU	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Workstation	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-1220P was priced at $250, while the Core i3-12300 came in at $143. On launch pricing ($250 vs $143), Core i3-12300 was $107 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-1220P delivers 58.0 pts/$ vs 100.6 pts/$ for the Core i3-12300 — making the Core i3-12300 the 53.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-1220P	Core i3-12300
MSRP	$250	$143-43%
Performance per Dollar	58.0	100.6+73%
Release Date	2022	2022

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