Core i3-12300 vs Xeon W-1290TE

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 Xeon W-1290TE 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 Xeon W-1290TE: 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: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $409 less on MSRP ($143 MSRP vs $552 MSRP).
✅Delivers 282.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.6 vs 26.3 PassMark/$ ($143 MSRP vs $552 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,384 vs 14,505).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-1290TE, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 16 PCIe lanes.
❌71.4% higher power demand at 60W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon W-1290TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon W-1290TE

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads, plus 16 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Draws 35W instead of 60W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-12300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.3 vs 100.6 PassMark/$ ($552 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 Xeon W-1290TE?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1290TE makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-12300 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-1290TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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 $409 cheaper on MSRP at $143 MSRP versus $552 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon W-1290TE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 282.8% better value on MSRP (100.6 vs 26.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2020) 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 Xeon W-1290TE 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.

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.

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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

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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	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12300 was priced at $143, while the Xeon W-1290TE came in at $552. On launch pricing ($143 vs $552), Core i3-12300 was $409 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12300 delivers 100.6 pts/$ 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
Performance per Dollar	100.6+283%	26.3
Release Date	2022	2020

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