🚀 CPU Launch

Intel Core i3-12300 vs AMD Athlon X4 950

Table of Contents



Overview:

Comparison between Intel Core i3-12300 and AMD Athlon X4 950

Intel Core i3-12300 is manufactured by Intel, while AMD Athlon X4 950 is manufactured by AMD. Both CPUs have the same base speed of 3.5 GHz. Intel Core i3-12300 has a higher turbo speed of 4.4 GHz compared to AMD Athlon X4 950's 3.8 GHz. Both CPUs have the same number of cores (4). Intel Core i3-12300 supports more threads (8) compared to AMD Athlon X4 950's threads.

Both CPUs belong to the same class: Desktop. Intel Core i3-12300 uses the LGA socket, while AMD Athlon X4 950 uses the AM4 socket. Intel Core i3-12300 was launched in Q1 2022, while AMD Athlon X4 950 was launched in Q3 2017. Intel Core i3-12300 has a larger L3 cache of 12 MB compared to AMD Athlon X4 950's MB.

Specification Summary

The Intel Core i3-12300 and AMD Athlon X4 950 are two processors with distinct specifications. Below is a detailed comparison of their key features:

  • Manufacturer: Both processors are manufactured by Intel.
  • Speed: The Intel Core i3-12300 has a base speed of 3.5 GHz, while the AMD Athlon X4 950 runs at 3.5 GHz.
  • Turbo Boost: The Intel Core i3-12300 supports a turbo speed of 4.4 GHz, compared to 3.8 GHz for the AMD Athlon X4 950.
  • Cores: The Intel Core i3-12300 has 4 cores, while the AMD Athlon X4 950 has 4 cores.
  • Threads: The Intel Core i3-12300 supports 8 threads, compared to threads for the AMD Athlon X4 950.
  • Class: Both processors are designed for Desktop use.
  • Socket: The Intel Core i3-12300 uses the LGA, while the AMD Athlon X4 950 uses the AM4.
  • Launch Date: The Intel Core i3-12300 was launched on Q1 2022, while the AMD Athlon X4 950 was released on Q3 2017.
  • L3 Cache: The Intel Core i3-12300 has 12 MB of L3 cache, compared to MB for the AMD Athlon X4 950.

Detailed Specifications:

Specs Intel Core i3-12300 AMD Athlon X4 950
Intel AMD
Manufacturer Intel AMD
Speed 3.5 GHz 3.5 GHz
Turbo 4.4 GHz 3.8 GHz
Cores 4 4
Threads 8
Class Desktop Desktop
Socket LGA AM4
Launched Q1 2022 Q3 2017
L3 Cache 12 MB MB

Review:

Single Core Performance:


CPU Performance in single-threaded applications

Intel Core i3-12300:



60%
AMD Athlon X4 950:
27%
* More is Better

Multi Core Performance:


CPU Performance in multi-threaded applications

Intel Core i3-12300



21%
AMD Athlon X4 950:
5%
* More is Better

Power Efficiency:


Power Consumption of CPU under full load

Intel Core i3-12300: 60 watts



15%
AMD Athlon X4 950: 65 watts
16.25%
* Lower is Better

Launched Date:


Time when the CPU was launched


Intel Core i3-12300 : Q1 2022 ✅

AMD Athlon X4 950 : Q3 2017 ✅

* Newer is Better

CPU Launch FINAL SCORE:

CPU Final Rating Ratings

Intel Core i3-12300



AMD Athlon X4 950


Pro's and Con's

Intel Core i3-12300 – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Higher Turbo Boost Speed: The Intel Core i3-12300 supports a higher turbo boost speed of 4.4 GHz compared to the AMD Athlon X4 950's 3.8 GHz. This allows for better performance during peak workloads.
  • Faster Single-Core Performance: With a single-threaded performance score of 3620, the Intel Core i3-12300 outperforms the AMD Athlon X4 950 (score: 1636). This makes it better suited for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as gaming or everyday productivity.
  • Larger L3 Cache: The Intel Core i3-12300 features a larger L3 cache of 12MB compared to the AMD Athlon X4 950's MB. A larger cache improves performance in memory-intensive tasks, such as video editing or 3D rendering, by reducing latency and speeding up data access.

Cons:

  • Not available

AMD Athlon X4 950 – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Newer Release: The AMD Athlon X4 950 was launched more recently (Q3 2017) compared to the Intel Core i3-12300 (Q1 2022). This means it benefits from the latest advancements in technology, improved efficiency, and potentially better software optimization.
  • Higher CPU Mark Score: The AMD Athlon X4 950 has a higher CPU Mark score of 122.72 compared to the Intel Core i3-12300's 101.68. This indicates better overall performance across a wide range of tasks.

Cons:

  • Fewer Threads: The AMD Athlon X4 950 has threads, which is fewer than the Intel Core i3-12300's 8 threads. This may limit its ability to handle highly parallel workloads efficiently.
  • Lower Multi-Core Performance: In multi-threaded tasks, the AMD Athlon X4 950 scores 3591, which is lower than the Intel Core i3-12300's score of 14540. This makes the Intel Core i3-12300 a better choice for heavy multitasking or parallel processing.
  • Higher Power Consumption: The AMD Athlon X4 950 has a higher TDP of 65W compared to the Intel Core i3-12300's 60W. This means it may consume more power, leading to higher energy costs and potentially more heat generation, which could require better cooling solutions.


Productivity


Intel Core i3-12300
This cpu Handles Mid Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Mid Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.

AMD Athlon X4 950
This cpu Handles Entry Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Entry Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.


Gaming

Intel Core i3-12300
Ideal for Mid Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Mid Level level computing.

AMD Athlon X4 950
Ideal for Entry Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Entry Level level computing.



Verdict

Intel Core i3-12300

The Intel Core i3-12300 is a reliable and Mid Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Mid Level computing needs or those building a New PC.

AMD Athlon X4 950

The AMD Athlon X4 950 is a reliable and Entry Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Entry Level computing needs or those building a New PC.