Core i3-12300 vs Core i5-1345U

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 i5-1345U 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 i5-1345U: 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

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1345U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $143 MSRP, while Core i5-1345U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌300% higher power demand at 60W vs 15W.

Core i5-1345U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 60W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,226 vs 14,384).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1345U better than Core i3-12300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1345U is ahead with a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12300 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-1345U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12300 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-1345U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $143 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-12300 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i3-12300 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (100.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1345U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-12300 vs Core i5-1345U 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 i5-1345U

The Core i5-1345U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 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): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 14,226 points. Launch price was $309.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12300 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-1345U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-1345U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-12300 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i5-1345U — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-1345U (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-12300 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-1345U uses Raptor Lake-U (2023) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12300 scores 14,384 against the Core i5-1345U's 14,226 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-12300. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12300	Core i5-1345U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	10 / 12+150%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.7 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+119%	1.6 GHz
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-S (2022)	Raptor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	14,384+1%	14,226

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12300 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-1345U uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.