
Core i3-12300 vs Xeon W-1290TE

Core i3-12300

Xeon W-1290TE
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 Xeon W-1290TE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-12300 | Xeon W-1290TE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($143) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($552) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-12300 | Xeon W-1290TE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+283%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($143) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($552) |
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 Xeon W-1290TE

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.

Xeon W-1290TE
The Xeon W-1290TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,505 points. Launch price was $552.
Processing Power
The Core i3-12300 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W-1290TE offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon W-1290TE has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-12300 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-1290TE — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290TE (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i3-12300 uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon W-1290TE uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12300 scores 14,384 against the Xeon W-1290TE's 14,505 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon W-1290TE. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12300 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290TE.
| Feature | Core i3-12300 | Xeon W-1290TE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 10 / 20+150% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.5 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+94% | 1.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 20 MB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 14,384 | 14,505 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,507 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,478 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-12300 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon W-1290TE uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-12300 | Xeon W-1290TE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-12300) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-1290TE). The Xeon W-1290TE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics P630), while the Core i3-12300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon W-1290TE targets Workstation.
| Feature | Core i3-12300 | Xeon W-1290TE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel UHD Graphics P630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-12300 launched at $143 MSRP, while the Xeon W-1290TE debuted at $552. At current prices ($143 vs $552), the Core i3-12300 is $409 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12300 delivers 100.6 pts/$ vs 26.3 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1290TE — making the Core i3-12300 the 117.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-12300 | Xeon W-1290TE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $143-74% | $552 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $143-74% | $552 |
| Performance per Dollar | 100.6+283% | 26.3 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2020 |
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