Core i3-12300 vs Ryzen 5 3600
Core i3-12300
Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-12300
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-12300 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($143) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-12300 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+120%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($143) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-12300 and Ryzen 5 3600
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.
Ryzen 5 3600
The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The Core i3-12300 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-12300 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-12300 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-12300 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12300 scores 14,384 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 20.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12300 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core i3-12300 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+5% | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz+3% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 32 MB (total)+167% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 14,384 | 17,685+23% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-12300 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-12300 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-12300) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Core i3-12300 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | Yes |
| Target Use | — | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-12300 launched at $143 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($143 vs $80), the Ryzen 5 3600 is $63 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12300 delivers 100.6 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 74.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-12300 | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $143-28% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $143 | $80-44% |
| Performance per Dollar | 100.6 | 221.1+120% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2019 |
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