Core i3-12300 vs Core i5-11600T

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 i3-12300 vs Core i5-11600T 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 i3-12300 vs Core i5-11600T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-12300

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $119 less on MSRP ($143 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅Delivers 82.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.6 vs 55.1 PassMark/$ ($143 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,384 vs 14,447).
❌71.4% higher power demand at 60W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11600T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11600T.

Core i5-11600T

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 60W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 750, while Core i3-12300 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-12300.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-12300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 55.1 vs 100.6 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $143 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i3-12300 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-12300 better than Core i5-11600T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-12300 is ahead with a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11600T pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11600T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i3-12300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-12300 comes in $119 cheaper on MSRP at $143 MSRP versus $262 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-11600T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 82.4% better value on MSRP (100.6 vs 55.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11600T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.

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

Core i3-12300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12300 vs Core i5-11600T Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-11600T

The Core i5-11600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 14,447 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12300 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-11600T offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-11600T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-12300 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-11600T — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-12300 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i3-12300 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-11600T uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12300 scores 14,384 against the Core i5-11600T's 14,447 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-11600T. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12300	Core i5-11600T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+7%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+106%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	14,384	14,447
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,856
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,455

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12300 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-11600T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-12300	Core i5-11600T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-12300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11600T). The Core i5-11600T includes integrated graphics (UHD 750), while the Core i3-12300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11600T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11600T rivals Ryzen 5 5600G.

Feature	Core i3-12300	Core i5-11600T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD 750
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12300 was priced at $143, while the Core i5-11600T came in at $262. On launch pricing ($143 vs $262), Core i3-12300 was $119 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12300 delivers 100.6 pts/$ vs 55.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-11600T — making the Core i3-12300 the 58.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-12300	Core i5-11600T
MSRP	$143-45%	$262
Performance per Dollar	100.6+83%	55.1
Release Date	2022	2021

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