Intel Core i3-12300
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i3-12300 Specifications
Core i3-12300 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i3-12300 features 4 physical cores and 8 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i3-12300 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i3-12300 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i3-12300 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i3-12300 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i3-12300 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i3-12300's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Alder Lake Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i3-12300 is built on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i3-12300 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Alder Lake Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i3-12300 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i3-12300 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i3-12300 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 60W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 1700 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i3-12300 uses the Intel Socket 1700 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 1700 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i3-12300 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i3-12300 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i3-12300 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i3-12300 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i3-12300 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i3-12300 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i3-12300 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i3-12300 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i3-12300 Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i3-12300 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R15 single-core measures the speed of one CPU thread rendering 3D geometry. This score indicates how Intel Core i3-12300 handles tasks that can't be parallelized across multiple cores. Games and many desktop applications still rely heavily on single-thread performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i3-12300.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i3-12300.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i3-12300 after thermal limits kick in.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i3-12300 maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i3-12300
The Intel Core i3-12300 is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor from Intel’s Core 12th Gen series, built on the Alder Lake-S architecture with a 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.50, a boost clock of 4.40, a TDP of 60, and integrated UHD Graphics 730. Its average benchmark score is 3528, placing it in the 57th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with a launch MSRP of $143.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The benchmark split shows a processor with a clear per-core strength. In Cinebench R23, the i3-12300 scores 1,722 in single-core and 12,199 in multi-core. The R20 results are 723 and 5,123, while R15 results are 173 and 1,229. The single-core numbers are consistently strong relative to the multi-core numbers, which is what a 4-core, 8-thread part with a 4.40 boost clock should look like.
This split matters in real workloads. Single-thread scores drive responsiveness in everyday tasks like office applications, web browsing, and lightly threaded productivity software. The 1,722 R23 single-core score points to a CPU that does not need many threads to feel fast. Multi-thread scores matter when all cores are active, such as in rendering, encoding, or compiling. The R23 multi-core score of 12,199 shows that the i3-12300 can handle real parallel work, but the 4-core fabric means it is not in the same league as higher-core desktop parts. The shared 12 MB L3 cache helps keep data close to all cores, and the dual-channel memory bus supports both DDR4 and DDR5, so memory bandwidth scales with the platform choice.
The relationship between single-thread and multi-thread results is consistent across all three Cinebench revisions. That consistency indicates the processor scales predictably as more threads are used. For software that is mostly single-threaded, the i3-12300 will feel stronger than its core count suggests. For software that can use all 8 threads, the i3 still delivers usable performance, but it is the compact core configuration that sets the upper bound.
Power and Thermals
The i3-12300 is rated at a TDP of 60, which places it in a modest power class for a desktop CPU. Its 10 nm process and 163 mm² die size are relevant to that efficiency story: a smaller architecture and a low core count keep heat generation low. The cooling implication is straightforward. A 60 TDP processor does not need an aggressive cooling solution; simple air cooling is enough for stock operation.
The integrated UHD Graphics 730 also affects the overall system profile. Because the CPU carries its own graphics, basic display output can be handled without a discrete GPU. That makes the platform suitable for compact or quiet desktop builds where reducing components is a priority. The multiplier is not unlocked, so users cannot overclock the chip to raise its thermal demands. That further reinforces the idea that this is a CPU meant to run within a conservative power envelope.
The active production status means this is a current part rather than a discontinued model. For system builders, the 60 TDP class means power supply and cooling decisions do not need to be oversized. The part is also an Intel Socket 1700 processor, so board selection will focus on platform features rather than exotic cooling requirements.
Benchmark Performance
The i3-12300 sits at the 57th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 3528. That places it just above the middle of the full CPU field. Its Cinebench results reinforce that position: R23 multi-core 12,199, R23 single-core 1,722, R20 multi-core 5,123, R20 single-core 723, R15 multi-core 1,229, and R15 single-core 173.
The nearest rival cluster shows just how tight the competition is at this score level. The Intel Xeon W-2135 averages 3543, and the i3-12300 trails by 0.4%. The Intel Xeon E-2186G averages 3511, and the i3-12300 leads by 0.5%. The Intel Core i9-9980HK averages 3547, and the i3-12300 trails by 0.5%. The Intel Xeon D-1732TE averages 3504, and the i3-12300 leads by 0.7%.
These margins are extremely narrow. The i3-12300’s composite average is effectively equal to all four rivals, despite being a 4-core desktop part facing Xeon and Core i9 processors. The 57th percentile rank shows that this is not a high-end outlier, but the average score is close enough to those established parts to make the i3 a credible performer in overall throughput. The single-core Cinebench scores also show that the i3’s per-core performance is doing heavy lifting; the multi-core numbers are respectable, but the single-core numbers are what keep it close in the composite.
How It Compares
Intel Xeon W-2135: This Xeon has an average score of 3543, and the i3-12300 is 0.4% behind. That is effectively a tie. For a 4-core desktop CPU to land within 0.4% of a Xeon part in average benchmark score demonstrates the i3’s per-core efficiency.
Intel Xeon E-2186G: The Xeon E-2186G averages 3511, and the i3-12300 is 0.5% ahead with an average of 3528. The margin is small, but it is still a lead. In practical terms, this is parity; workload type will determine which CPU finishes ahead.
Intel Core i9-9980HK: The i9-9980HK averages 3547, and the i3-12300 is 0.5% behind. Despite the i9 branding and higher product tier, the i3 stays within half a point in composite score. That is a notable result for a 4-core, 8-thread chip.
Intel Xeon D-1732TE: This Xeon averages 3504, and the i3-12300 is 0.7% ahead. It is the largest margin in the group, yet still a close result. The i3’s desktop Alder Lake-S architecture gives it an edge in average benchmark score over this Xeon D part.
Platform and Compatibility
The i3-12300 uses Intel Socket 1700. It belongs to the Alder Lake generation, with the Alder Lake-S codename. The process node is 10 nm, and the die size is 163 mm². Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5, which gives system builders two memory paths depending on the motherboard. ECC memory is not supported, so the chip is not aimed at error-correcting workstation memory environments.
The PCIe configuration includes Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU only. That provides modern expansion capability for storage and graphics. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 means the processor can handle display output without a discrete GPU. The multiplier is not unlocked, so overclocking is not an option. The part number is SRL61, and production status is Active.
The upgrade path is defined by the Socket 1700 platform. The i3-12300 is a current desktop part, so systems built around it can be serviced with the same processor line. The memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 means the platform choice determines which memory generation is used. The locked multiplier keeps the upgrade story simple: choose a board for its socket, memory support, and PCIe capabilities, not for overclocking headroom.
Who Should Consider It
The i3-12300 is a strong fit for users who want a desktop CPU with solid single-thread performance and a low power footprint. The R23 single-core score of 1,722 makes it well suited to office work, web applications, and productivity tasks that favor fast per-core response. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 means those systems do not need a discrete GPU for basic display tasks.
Gamers building a value-oriented desktop can pair the i3-12300 with a discrete GPU and lean on its strong single-core results. Games that rely on one or two heavily loaded threads will see the benefit of the 4.40 boost clock and the 1,722 R23 single-core score. The 8 threads and 12 MB shared L3 cache provide enough background capacity for typical gaming use, though heavily threaded game workloads will not scale as far as they would on higher-core parts.
Creation users with light rendering, encoding, or compiling needs can use the multi-core capacity. The R23 multi-core score of 12,199 is capable for occasional parallel workloads. Users who run sustained all-core rendering or simulation work will likely need a part with a higher average benchmark score, since the i3 sits at the 57th percentile. Office and general-purpose desktop users get the most direct benefit: a 60 TDP processor with integrated graphics, DDR4 and DDR5 support, and a strong single-core profile.
FAQ
Q: What are the core and thread counts of the Intel Core i3-12300?
A: The Intel Core i3-12300 has 4 cores and 8 threads.
Q: What memory types does the i3-12300 support?
A: It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus.
Q: Does the i3-12300 support ECC memory?
A: No, the ECC memory field is false.
Q: What integrated graphics does the i3-12300 include?
A: It includes UHD Graphics 730.
Q: What socket does the i3-12300 use?
A: It uses Intel Socket 1700.
Q: Is the i3-12300 multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked.
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