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Intel Core i3-N300 vs Intel Core i5-12490F: Comparison
Core i3-N300 vs Core i5-12490F: the l3 cache difference
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: Core i3-N300 6 MB against Core i5-12490F 20 MB, which puts Core i5-12490F 70% ahead. Total cores is closer, 8 on the Core i3-N300 versus 6 on the Core i5-12490F. Performance cores is closer, 0 on the Core i3-N300 versus 6 on the Core i5-12490F. The efficiency cores figures are near enough to ignore, 8 on the Core i3-N300 versus 0 on the Core i5-12490F. Total threads is closer, 8 on the Core i3-N300 versus 12 on the Core i5-12490F. They differ on p-core boost clock too, 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-12490F. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 0.1 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 3.0 GHz on the Core i5-12490F. Tdp is not the same on both, 7 W on the Core i3-N300 versus 65 W on the Core i5-12490F. They differ on integrated graphics too, Yes on the Core i3-N300 versus No on the Core i5-12490F.
Core i3-N300 vs Core i5-12490F: which one fits your build
Buy the Core i3-N300 for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. The Core i5-12490F is the one to take for desktop gaming with a discrete GPU and budget-conscious builds, though it is not built for systems without a discrete GPU and HTPCs needing video output. 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 i5-12490F (7.4/10): the Intel Core i5-12490F trims integrated graphics for a lower price, aimed at builds already running a discrete GPU.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: form factor and microarchitecture are identical here.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i3-N300 and Core i5-12490F differ on socket?
Yes. Socket reads LGA 1700 on the Core i3-N300 versus FCLGA1700 on the Core i5-12490F.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Desktop
Codename
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Alder Lake-N
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 2023
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 7 W
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 65 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Intel UHD Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i3-N300
- LGA 1700
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- FCLGA1700
Process Node
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 8Best
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 6
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 0
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 6Best
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 8Best
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 0
Total Threads
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 8
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 12Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i3-N300
- No
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 0.1 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 3.0 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 4.6 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i3-N300
- 6 MB-70%
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- 20 MBBest
Memory Type
- Intel Core i3-N300
- DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- DDR5, DDR4Best
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i3-N300
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12490F
- No
Which one should you pick?
Choose N300 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 12490F if you want the higher L3 cache (20 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 i5-12490F
7.4 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12490F trims integrated graphics for a lower price, aimed at builds already running a discrete GPU.