Core i3-12300T vs Core Ultra 5 134U

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 Ultra 5 134U 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 Ultra 5 134U: 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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 134U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,162 vs 13,169).
❌Launch MSRP is still $209 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 134U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core Ultra 5 134U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 134U better than Core i3-12300T?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 134U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 134U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.7% 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 Ultra 5 134U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 134U is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12300T is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 5 134U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $209 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-12300T is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (63.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core Ultra 5 134U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-12300T vs Core Ultra 5 134U 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 Ultra 5 134U

The Core Ultra 5 134U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 0.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,169 points. Launch price was $332.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-12300T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 134U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 134U has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12300T versus 4.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 134U — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 134U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 0.7 GHz). The Core i3-12300T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 134U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12300T scores 13,162 against the Core Ultra 5 134U's 13,169 — a 0.1% lead for the Core Ultra 5 134U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-12300T	Core Ultra 5 134U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	12 / 14+200%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+229%	0.7 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-S (2022)	Meteor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	13,162	13,169

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-12300T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 134U uses FCBGA2551 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.