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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i3-12300T

2022

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 63.0 vs 71.6 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11400T.

Core i5-11400T

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $27 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.6 vs 63.0 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 730, while Core i3-12300T needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-12300T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,034 vs 13,162).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i3-12300T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i3-12300T

2022

Core i5-11400T

2021

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅Costs $27 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.6 vs 63.0 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 730, while Core i3-12300T needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-12300T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 63.0 vs 71.6 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11400T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,034 vs 13,162).
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core i3-12300T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-12300T better than Core i5-11400T?

Yes. Core i3-12300T is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.3% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-12300T is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-12300T is the better fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-12300T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-11400T makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i3-12300T is 14.8% more expensive on MSRP at $209 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11400T is also 13.7% better value on MSRP (71.6 vs 63.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11400T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Core i3-12300T is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-12300T Benchmark Check

Core i5-11400T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i3-12300T	Core i5-11400T
1080p
low	172 FPS	167 FPS
medium	151 FPS	144 FPS
high	121 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	95 FPS
1440p
low	146 FPS	140 FPS
medium	123 FPS	119 FPS
high	96 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	77 FPS	77 FPS
4K
low	69 FPS	66 FPS
medium	62 FPS	60 FPS
high	48 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	38 FPS	37 FPS

Open Core i3-12300T Open Core i5-11400T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i3-12300T	Core i5-11400T
1080p
low	270 FPS	124 FPS
medium	234 FPS	109 FPS
high	213 FPS	101 FPS
ultra	183 FPS	83 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	110 FPS
medium	208 FPS	96 FPS
high	193 FPS	90 FPS
ultra	164 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	186 FPS	96 FPS
medium	167 FPS	86 FPS
high	142 FPS	78 FPS
ultra	118 FPS	58 FPS

Open Core i3-12300T Open Core i5-11400T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i3-12300T	Core i5-11400T
1080p
low	329 FPS	326 FPS
medium	329 FPS	326 FPS
high	329 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	329 FPS	317 FPS
1440p
low	329 FPS	326 FPS
medium	329 FPS	326 FPS
high	329 FPS	319 FPS
ultra	329 FPS	284 FPS
4K
low	329 FPS	314 FPS
medium	329 FPS	269 FPS
high	308 FPS	235 FPS
ultra	255 FPS	190 FPS

Open Core i3-12300T Open Core i5-11400T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i3-12300T	Core i5-11400T
1080p
low	329 FPS	326 FPS
medium	329 FPS	326 FPS
high	329 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	329 FPS	326 FPS
1440p
low	329 FPS	326 FPS
medium	329 FPS	326 FPS
high	329 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	329 FPS	326 FPS
4K
low	329 FPS	326 FPS
medium	329 FPS	326 FPS
high	329 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	298 FPS	314 FPS

Open Core i3-12300T Open Core i5-11400T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-12300T and Core i5-11400T

Core i3-12300T

The Core i3-12300T 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 13,162 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-11400T

The Core i5-11400T 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 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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. Passmark benchmark score: 13,034 points. Launch price was $182.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-12300T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-11400T offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-11400T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12300T versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-11400T — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-12300T (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i3-12300T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-11400T uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12300T scores 13,162 against the Core i5-11400T's 13,034 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-12300T. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12300T	Core i5-11400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+77%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	13,162	13,034
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,891
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,767
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,179

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12300T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-11400T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-12300T	Core i5-11400T
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

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-12300T) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11400T). The Core i5-11400T includes integrated graphics (UHD 730), while the Core i3-12300T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400T targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400T rivals Core i5-11400.

Feature	Core i3-12300T	Core i5-11400T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD 730
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Productivity

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-12300T launched at $209 MSRP, while the Core i5-11400T debuted at $182. On MSRP ($209 vs $182), the Core i5-11400T is $27 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12300T delivers 63.0 pts/$ vs 71.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-11400T — making the Core i5-11400T the 12.8% better value option.