Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Intel Core i3-N300 vs Intel Core i5-12400T: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i3-N300 and Core i5-12400T?
L3 cache is where these two genuinely part company, Core i3-N300 6 MB against Core i5-12400T 18 MB, a 67% lead for Core i5-12400T. On total cores there is little in it, 8 on the Core i3-N300 versus 6 on the Core i5-12400T. The performance cores figures are near enough to ignore, 0 on the Core i3-N300 versus 6 on the Core i5-12400T. Efficiency cores is closer, 8 on the Core i3-N300 versus 0 on the Core i5-12400T. The total threads figures are near enough to ignore, 8 on the Core i3-N300 versus 12 on the Core i5-12400T. P-core boost clock is not the same on both, 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-12400T. P-core base clock is not the same on both, 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 1.8 GHz on the Core i5-12400T. There is a split on tdp as well, 7 W on the Core i3-N300 versus 35 W on the Core i5-12400T. They differ on socket too, LGA 1700 on the Core i3-N300 versus FCLGA1700 on the Core i5-12400T.
Who each one is for
The Core i3-N300 is the one to take for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Buy the Core i5-12400T for small-form-factor PCs and quiet builds, though it is the wrong buy for gaming desktops and overclocking. Our rating of the Core i3-N300 (8.2/10): the Intel Core i3-N300 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds. Our rating of the Core i5-12400T (7.3/10): the Intel Core i5-12400T is a low-power desktop chip built for compact and quiet small-form-factor systems.
What Core i3-N300 and Core i5-12400T have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, integrated graphics, form factor and microarchitecture included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i3-N300 and Core i5-12400T differ on release year?
Yes. Release Year reads 2023 on the Core i3-N300 versus 2022 on the Core i5-12400T.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- Desktop
Codename
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Alder Lake-N
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 2023
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 7 W
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 35 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Intel UHD Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- Intel UHD Graphics 730
Market Segment
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i3-N300
- LGA 1700
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- FCLGA1700
Process Node
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 8Best
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 6
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 0
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 6Best
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 8Best
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 0
Total Threads
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 8
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 12Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i3-N300
- No
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 0.1 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 1.8 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 4.2 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 6 MB-67%
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- 18 MBBest
Memory Type
- Intel Core i3-N300
- DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- DDR5, DDR4Best
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12400T
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose N300 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 12400T if you want the higher L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).
Verdict
Intel Core i3-N300
8.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i3-N300 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds.
Intel Core i5-12400T
7.3 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12400T is a low-power desktop chip built for compact and quiet small-form-factor systems.