Core i3-12300T vs Ryzen 5 2600
Core i3-12300T
Ryzen 5 2600
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 i3-12300T
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 2600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-12300T | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($164) | ✅ More affordable ($145) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-12300T | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+13%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($164) | ✅ More affordable ($145) |
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 i3-12300T and Ryzen 5 2600
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.
Ryzen 5 2600
The Ryzen 5 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,145 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The Core i3-12300T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 2600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 2600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-12300T versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-12300T (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i3-12300T uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-12300T scores 13,162 against the Ryzen 5 2600's 13,145 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-12300T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12300T vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600.
| Feature | Core i3-12300T | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz+8% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.4 GHz+48% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 16 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 3 MB+140% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-42% | 12 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-S (2022) | Pinnacle Riege (Zen+) (2018) |
| PassMark | 13,162 | 13,145 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 6,344 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,163 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 4,893 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-12300T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 2600 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-12300T | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-12300T) / Yes (Ryzen 5 2600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 2600 targets General Productivity. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 2600 rivals Core i5-9400.
| Feature | Core i3-12300T | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | Yes |
| Target Use | — | General Productivity |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-12300T launched at $209 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 2600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($164 vs $145), the Ryzen 5 2600 is $19 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-12300T delivers 80.3 pts/$ vs 90.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2600 — making the Ryzen 5 2600 the 12.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-12300T | Ryzen 5 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $209 | $199-5% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $164 | $145-12% |
| Performance per Dollar | 80.3 | 90.7+13% |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2018 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i3-12300T and Ryzen 5 2600
