Core i3-12300T vs Core i9-9900T

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 i3-12300T vs Core i9-9900T 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 i3-12300T vs Core i9-9900T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-12300T

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $214 less on MSRP ($209 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅Delivers 101.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 63.0 vs 31.2 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,162 vs 13,208).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i9-9900T

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.2 vs 63.0 PassMark/$ ($423 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i3-12300T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900T better than Core i3-12300T?

Yes. Core i9-9900T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9900T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-9900T is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12300T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9900T comes in 102.4% more expensive on MSRP at $423 MSRP versus $209 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-12300T is also 101.7% better value on MSRP (63.0 vs 31.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i3-12300T 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 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-12300T vs Core i9-9900T Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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 i9-9900T

The Core i9-9900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,208 points. Launch price was $439.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12300T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i9-9900T offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-9900T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12300T versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-9900T — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900T (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-12300T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9900T uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12300T scores 13,162 against the Core i9-9900T's 13,208 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-9900T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12300T vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900T.

Feature	Core i3-12300T	Core i9-9900T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+10%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,162	13,208

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12300T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9900T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-12300T	Core i9-9900T
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-12300T was priced at $209, while the Core i9-9900T came in at $423. On launch pricing ($209 vs $423), Core i3-12300T was $214 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12300T delivers 63.0 pts/$ vs 31.2 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900T — making the Core i3-12300T the 67.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-12300T	Core i9-9900T
MSRP	$209-51%	$423
Performance per Dollar	63.0+102%	31.2
Release Date	2022	2019

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