Core i7-9700K vs Core i3-12300
Core i7-9700K
Core i3-12300
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 i7-9700K
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-12300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-9700K | Core i3-12300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($143) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-9700K | Core i3-12300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+40%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($143) |
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 i7-9700K and Core i3-12300
Core i7-9700K
The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-12300 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-12300 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-12300 uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i3-12300's 14,384 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-9700K. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Core i3-12300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+100% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz+11% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 14 nm | Intel 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 14,397 | 14,384 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-12300 uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Core i3-12300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) / not specified (Core i3-12300). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-12300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Core i3-12300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-9700K launched at $385 MSRP, while the Core i3-12300 debuted at $143. At current prices ($200 vs $143), the Core i3-12300 is $57 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 72.0 pts/$ vs 100.6 pts/$ for the Core i3-12300 — making the Core i3-12300 the 33.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Core i3-12300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $385 | $143-63% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $143-28% |
| Performance per Dollar | 72.0 | 100.6+40% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2022 |
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