Intel Arc G3 EXTREME vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

Intel Arc G3 EXTREME and Intel Core 5 120U are both mobile processors from Intel, but the recorded data places them in different performance tiers. The Arc G3 EXTREME holds a decisive advantage across every benchmark in the database, winning all 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Core 5 120U, while competent, trails by margins that range from modest single-thread gaps to massive multi-thread and specialized workload deficits. The average benchmark score for the Arc G3 EXTREME is 36699, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 120U averages 17898, landing in the 72nd percentile. This gap is not subtle; it reflects fundamental architectural and specification differences that shape which tasks each processor handles effectively.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins in every recorded benchmark category, making the use-case split largely one-sided. Its dominance is most pronounced in multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 14655 against the Core 5 120U's 6659, a 120.1% advantage. Similar multi-core leads appear in Cinebench R20 (10945 vs 5349, 104.6% ahead) and Cinebench R15 (2192 vs 1150.5, 90.5% ahead). PassMark multi-thread shows 30659 versus 15042, a 103.8% gap. These results indicate the Arc G3 EXTREME is built for sustained parallel workloads such as rendering, compilation, and heavy multitasking.

The Core 5 120U, by contrast, has no benchmark wins in the database. Its closest performance relative to the Arc G3 EXTREME comes in single-thread tests, but even there it loses. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 1862 versus 1756.5, a 6% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 4293 versus 3479, a 23.4% lead. The Core 5 120U does have a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.70 GHz), but the recorded scores show that clock advantage does not translate into a win. The Core 5 120U remains a viable option for light, everyday tasks, but the data does not show any workload where it outperforms the Arc G3 EXTREME.

Specialized workloads also favor the Arc G3 EXTREME heavily. In PassMark extended instructions, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 24017 versus 9299, a 158.3% lead. PassMark physics shows 2515 versus 937, a 168.4% gap. Prime number finding is the largest single delta, with the Arc G3 EXTREME scoring 248 versus 53, a 367.9% advantage. Floating-point math, integer math, data encryption, and data compression all show leads of 36.1% to 141.3%. These results confirm that the Arc G3 EXTREME is not merely faster overall; it is disproportionately faster in compute-intensive and cryptographic tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use different underlying designs. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME is based on Panther Lake, a 3 nm process manufactured by Intel. The Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake-U architecture on a 10 nm process. The process node difference is significant, as the smaller 3 nm node allows for denser transistors and improved power efficiency, which partially explains the Arc G3 EXTREME's performance despite a higher TDP.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Arc G3 EXTREME has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Core 5 120U has a lower base clock of 1.40 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Arc G3 EXTREME's higher core count and equal thread-per-core ratio (1:1) suggest a design focused on parallel throughput, while the Core 5 120U's 10 cores with 12 threads indicate a hybrid arrangement with some efficiency cores.

Cache hierarchies diverge sharply. The Arc G3 EXTREME provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 120U has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Arc G3 EXTREME's larger per-core caches and 50% more L3 capacity give it a substantial advantage in workloads that benefit from data locality and rapid reuse.

Memory support also differs. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure for it. The Arc G3 EXTREME's integrated graphics is Arc B390, while the Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The PCIe configuration also differs: the Arc G3 EXTREME offers Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes, while the Core 5 120U offers Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

The sockets are different as well. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540, and the Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744. Both are mobile sockets, but they are not interchangeable. The release dates differ, with the Arc G3 EXTREME dated 2026-05-27 and the Core 5 120U dated 2024-01-07. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has an average benchmark score of 36699, while the Intel Core 5 120U has an average of 17898.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME leads in all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1862 versus 1756.5, a 6% lead. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4293 versus 3479, a 23.4% lead.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 248 versus 53, a 367.9% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Arc G3 EXTREME supports LPDDR5X only, while the Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME has a TDP of 25, and the Core 5 120U has a TDP of 15.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Arc G3 EXTREME | Intel Core 5 120U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 14 | 10 |

| Threads | 14 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 25 | 15 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2540 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Codename | Panther Lake | Raptor Lake-U |

| Architecture | Not listed | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc B390 | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Release Date | 2026-05-27 | 2024-01-07 |

| Part Number | SA4R3 | SRM7P |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is comprehensive, with 17 recorded comparisons. The Arc G3 EXTREME wins all of them, but the margins vary widely and tell a detailed story. The smallest win is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 1862 against 1756.5, a 6% edge. This is closely followed by Cinebench R15 single-core, with 267 versus 245, a 9% lead. These single-thread tests show that the Core 5 120U's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz does not overcome the Arc G3 EXTREME's architectural advantages, but the gap is relatively contained.

The multi-core tests show a different scale of dominance. Cinebench R20 multi-core has the Arc G3 EXTREME at 10945 versus 5349, a 104.6% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core is even larger, at 14655 versus 6659, a 120.1% lead. PassMark multi-thread shows 30659 versus 15042, a 103.8% gap. These results are consistent with the core count difference (14 vs 10) and the larger cache hierarchy of the Arc G3 EXTREME.

Specialized workloads show the most extreme deltas. PassMark find prime numbers is the standout, with 248 versus 53, a 367.9% lead. PassMark extended instructions shows 24017 versus 9299, a 158.3% lead. PassMark physics has 2515 versus 937, a 168.4% gap. PassMark floating-point math shows 86929 versus 36026, a 141.3% lead. PassMark data encryption has 23881 versus 10453, a 128.5% lead. These massive margins indicate that the Arc G3 EXTREME's architecture is far more efficient at executing complex and repetitive mathematical operations.

Other PassMark tests show strong but less extreme leads. Data compression has the Arc G3 EXTREME at 307094 versus 166432, an 84.5% lead. Random string sorting shows 37331 versus 19060, a 95.9% gap. Integer math has 71164 versus 52280, a 36.1% lead, which is the smallest PassMark delta. The single-thread PassMark tests show 4293 versus 3479, a 23.4% lead. Across all tests, the Arc G3 EXTREME's smallest wins are in single-core Cinebench tests, while its largest wins are in specialized compute workloads.

The Verdict

The recorded data provides a clear conclusion. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME outperforms the Intel Core 5 120U in every benchmark category, with an average score of 36699 versus 17898. The Arc G3 EXTREME sits in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 120U sits in the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals to the Arc G3 EXTREME are the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (average 36938, 0.6% higher), AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (36945, 0.7% higher), AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (37018, 0.9% higher), and AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (37093, 1.1% higher). The Core 5 120U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, 0% difference), Intel Core 5 221TE (17860, 0.2% higher), AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17994, 0.5% lower), and Intel Core 7 350 (17779, 0.7% higher). This context shows that the Arc G3 EXTREME competes with modern mid-range desktop processors, while the Core 5 120U aligns with older or lower-end parts.

For users selecting between these two mobile processors, the data points to the Arc G3 EXTREME for any workload that benefits from multi-threading, large caches, or heavy compute. Its 14 cores, 18 MB of L3 cache, and 3 nm process give it a structural advantage that the Core 5 120U cannot offset. The Core 5 120U, with its 10 cores, 12 MB of L3 cache, and 10 nm process, is a lower-power part (TDP 15 vs 25) that delivers adequate single-thread performance but falls far behind in parallel tasks. The Core 5 120U's higher boost clock does not compensate for the core and cache deficit. The Arc G3 EXTREME is the faster processor by every recorded measure.