Intel Arc G3 EXTREME vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME dominates the Intel Core 5 120UL across every recorded benchmark. The database records 17 benchmark wins for the Arc G3 EXTREME and zero for the Core 5 120UL. The margin is not uniform, which reveals where the architectural gap is widest. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 1545 against 531 for the Core 5 120UL, a delta of 191%. The R20 multi-core result is similar in percentage terms: 10945 versus 3769, also 190.4% ahead. These are the largest Cinebench deltas in the set.

The R15 tests show a smaller but still decisive gap. Multi-core scores are 2192 versus 904, a 142.5% advantage, while single-core is 267 versus 127, a 110.2% lead. R23 narrows the gap further. The Arc G3 EXTREME posts 14655 multi-core against 8974, a 63.3% advantage, and 1862 single-core against 1266, a 47.1% lead. The R23 results indicate that the performance gap compresses under sustained multi-threaded rendering loads, but the Arc G3 EXTREME still holds a clear victory.

PassMark results amplify the trend. The largest single delta in the entire comparison is PassMark find prime numbers, where the Arc G3 EXTREME scores 248 versus 47, a 427.7% lead. Extended instructions follow closely: 24017 versus 5203, a 361.6% delta. Floating point math shows 86929 against 26311, a 230.4% advantage. Physics testing delivers 2515 versus 807, a 211.6% gap, while data encryption shows 23881 against 7685, a 210.7% difference. The Arc G3 EXTREME is at least 87% ahead in every PassMark category, with integer math being the closest at 71164 versus 38060, an 87% delta. Data compression shows 307094 against 109090, a 181.5% lead, and random string sorting shows 37331 versus 13610, a 174.3% lead. PassMark multi-thread delivers 30659 versus 10558, a 190.4% delta, and single-thread delivers 4293 versus 2080, a 106.4% lead.

The average benchmark score reinforces the hierarchy. The Arc G3 EXTREME averages 36699 across all tests, while the Core 5 120UL averages 13594. The Arc G3 EXTREME sits at the 85th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 120UL sits at the 68th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Arc G3 EXTREME are all within 1.1% of its average score: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 trails by 0.6%, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F trails by 0.7%, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D trails by 0.9%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 trails by 1.1%. The Core 5 120UL, by contrast, competes with a different class of processor: the Intel Core i3-12100F is 0.7% ahead, the Intel Core 3 N355 is 0.8% ahead, the Intel Core i5-9500 is 1.1% ahead, and the Intel Core 3 304 trails by 1.1%. These rival clusters show that the two chips do not occupy the same performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Arc G3 EXTREME wins every measured workload, so the useful analysis is not which chip wins but where the margin is smallest and largest. The smallest advantage appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Arc G3 EXTREME leads by 63.3%. This suggests that the Core 5 120UL is relatively less disadvantaged in sustained parallel rendering workloads than in bursty single-thread tasks, though it still loses decisively. The second smallest gap is integer math at 87%, and R23 single-core follows at 47.1%. These three workloads represent the Core 5 120UL's best relative performance.

The largest gaps appear in prime number finding at 427.7% and extended instructions at 361.6%. These are workloads that stress instruction-level parallelism and branch-heavy integer loops, areas where the Arc G3 EXTREME's newer microarchitecture and higher boost clock provide an outsized advantage. Floating point math, physics, and data encryption all show deltas above 210%, indicating that the Arc G3 EXTREME is particularly strong in compute-heavy numerical tasks.

For the Core 5 120UL, the data shows no workload where it can claim a win or even a close contest. Its best showing is in sustained multi-threaded rendering, where the R23 multi-core gap narrows to 63.3%. Its worst showing is in prime number finding, where it trails by more than four times. The Core 5 120UL does offer a lower thermal envelope at 15 W TDP versus 25 W, which may make it suitable for thermally constrained systems, but the performance data offers no counterpoint to the Arc G3 EXTREME's dominance.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Intel Arc G3 EXTREME in single-core performance?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME leads by 110.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 191% in R20 single-core, 47.1% in R23 single-core, and 106.4% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: Which chip has the larger advantage in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME leads by 142.5% in R15 multi-core, 190.4% in R20 multi-core, 63.3% in R23 multi-core, and 190.4% in PassMark multi-thread.

Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two processors?

A: The closest result is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Arc G3 EXTREME leads by 63.3%. The next closest is PassMark integer math at 87%.

Q: What is the largest benchmark gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is PassMark find prime numbers, where the Arc G3 EXTREME leads by 427.7%. PassMark extended instructions is the second largest at 361.6%.

Q: How do the two processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME's nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, trails by 0.6%, and all four nearest rivals are within 1.1% of its average score. The Core 5 120UL's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-12100F, is 0.7% ahead, and its four nearest rivals span from 1.1% ahead to 1.1% behind.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The Arc G3 EXTREME averages 36699 and ranks in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 120UL averages 13594 and ranks in the 68th percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, thread count, clock speeds, thermal design power, socket, process node, cache hierarchy, memory support, PCIe configuration, integrated graphics, market segment, release date, and part number. The Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Core 5 120UL 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 120UL has a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Arc G3 EXTREME is rated at 25 W TDP, the Core 5 120UL at 15 W TDP.

The socket differs: the Arc G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540, while the Core 5 120UL uses Intel Socket 1700. The process node also differs, with the Arc G3 EXTREME built on 3 nm and the Core 5 120UL on 10 nm. Cache configurations are distinct. The Arc G3 EXTREME has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. The Core 5 120UL has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Memory support differs as well: the Arc G3 EXTREME supports LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and 136.5 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core 5 120UL supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and no recorded bandwidth figure.

PCIe configuration differs. The Arc G3 EXTREME provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes, while the Core 5 120UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the Arc G3 EXTREME uses Arc B390, while the Core 5 120UL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Market segments differ, with the Arc G3 EXTREME targeting mobile and the Core 5 120UL targeting desktop. The release dates differ, with the Arc G3 EXTREME released in 2026 and the Core 5 120UL released in 2024. Neither chip has a launch MSRP recorded in the database. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The Arc G3 EXTREME is built on the Panther Lake architecture, while the Core 5 120UL is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS generation. The Arc G3 EXTREME has no architecture field recorded beyond the Panther Lake codename and Arc G3 generation string, while the Core 5 120UL explicitly lists its architecture as Raptor Lake. The manufacturing process differs significantly: the Arc G3 EXTREME uses a 3 nm node, the Core 5 120UL uses a 10 nm node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

The core count difference is substantial: 14 cores versus 10 cores. The thread count differs as well, with 14 threads on the Arc G3 EXTREME and 12 threads on the Core 5 120UL. The Arc G3 EXTREME has no hyper-threading overhead in its thread count, while the Core 5 120UL has 12 threads from 10 cores, indicating some threads are derived from hyper-threading. The cache hierarchy favors the Arc G3 EXTREME at every level: larger per-core L1, double the per-core L2, and 50% more shared L3.

The Arc G3 EXTREME uses LPDDR5X memory, while the Core 5 120UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The memory bandwidth for the Arc G3 EXTREME is recorded at 136.5 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the Core 5 120UL. Neither chip supports ECC memory. The PCIe generation differs, with Gen 5 on the Arc G3 EXTREME and Gen 4 on the Core 5 120UL, though the Core 5 120UL offers double the lane count at 8 lanes versus 4. The integrated graphics differ in brand and tier, with Arc B390 on the Arc G3 EXTREME and Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the Core 5 120UL. The Arc G3 EXTREME is positioned as a mobile part, while the Core 5 120UL is positioned as a desktop part, which aligns with its lower TDP of 15 W versus 25 W. The Arc G3 EXTREME carries part number SA4R3, while the Core 5 120UL has no recorded part number. Both processors remain in active production status.