Apple M2 vs i3-12300

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-12300
2022
4 cores / 8 threads, 60 Watt
9.19
Apple M2
2022
8 cores / 8 threads, 20 Watt
9.44
+2.7%

Apple M2 outperforms Core i3-12300 by a minimal 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-12300 and Apple M2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking831807
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataApple Apple M-Series
Power efficiency14.4344.48
Architecture codenameAlder Lake-S (2022)no data
Release dateJanuary 2022 (2 years ago)10 June 2022 (2 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core i3-12300 and Apple M2 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads88
Base clock speed3.5 GHz2.424 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz3.48 GHz
L1 cache80K (per core)2 MB
L2 cache1.25 MB (per core)20 MB
L3 cache12 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithographyIntel 7 nm5 nm
Die size163 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data20000 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-12300 and Apple M2 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA1700no data
Power consumption (TDP)60 Watt20 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-12300 and Apple M2. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2no data
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Speed Shift+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+-
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0-no data
Deep Learning Boost+-

Security technologies

Core i3-12300 and Apple M2 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Secure Key+no data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-12300 and Apple M2 are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-12300 and Apple M2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR5-4800, DDR4-3200no data
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth76.8 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 730Apple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz)
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.45 GHzno data
Execution Units24no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-12300 and Apple M2 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported4no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-12300 and Apple M2 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160 @ 60Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP5120 x 3200 @ 120Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort7680 x 4320 @ 60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-12300 and Apple M2 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-12300 and Apple M2.

PCIe version5.0 and 4.0no data
PCI Express lanes20no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-12300 9.19
Apple M2 9.44
+2.7%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-12300 14540
Apple M2 14933
+2.7%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.19 9.44
Physical cores 4 8
Power consumption (TDP) 60 Watt 20 Watt

Apple M2 has a 2.7% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more physical cores, and 200% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i3-12300 and Apple M2.

Note that Core i3-12300 is a desktop processor while Apple M2 is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-12300 and Apple M2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i3-12300
Core i3-12300
Apple M2
M2

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i3-12300 or Apple M2, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.