Intel Arc G3 vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark database currently holds no recorded benchmark results for the Intel Arc G3. In contrast, the Intel Core 5 120U has a substantial set of measured scores across Cinebench, Geekbench, and Passmark workloads. This means the Arc G3 has zero recorded wins, while the Core 5 120U holds every available win by default. The Core 5 120U also carries a 72nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, versus a 50th percentile for the Arc G3, and its average benchmark score of 17898 establishes a measurable performance baseline. The Arc G3, with an average benchmark score of zero, cannot be compared on equal terms until its own measurements are collected.

The Intel Core 5 120U's recorded scores show strength in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6659 and single-core score of 1756.5, combined with a Geekbench multi-core score of 5888, indicate a balanced mobile processor. The Arc G3's specifications suggest a different design intent: it pairs 14 cores with 14 threads (no Hyper-Threading), a 1.90 GHz base clock, and a 4.60 GHz boost clock, whereas the Core 5 120U uses 10 cores, 12 threads, a 1.40 GHz base clock, and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The Arc G3 also features a newer Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm process, while the Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake on 10 nm. Without benchmark data for the Arc G3, the use-case split is strictly one-sided: the Core 5 120U is the only part with verified performance in the database.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Arc G3 have any benchmark scores in the database?

A: No. The Arc G3's benchmark list is empty, and its average benchmark score is recorded as zero. The Intel Core 5 120U has 19 recorded scores across Cinebench, Geekbench, and Passmark tests.

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ between the two processors?

A: The Intel Arc G3 has 14 cores and 14 threads, indicating no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, which implies two cores with Hyper-Threading enabled.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U boosts to 5.00 GHz, which is higher than the Arc G3's 4.60 GHz boost. The Arc G3 has a higher base clock at 1.90 GHz compared to 1.40 GHz on the Core 5 120U.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Arc G3 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Arc G3 also has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches: 192 KB and 2.5 MB per core versus 80 KB and 1.25 MB per core.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: No. The Intel Arc G3 uses a 3 nm process, while the Intel Core 5 120U uses a 10 nm process. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Intel Arc G3 supports LPDDR5X memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the database does not list its memory bandwidth.

Q: How do their integrated graphics differ?

A: The Intel Arc G3 features an integrated Arc B370 graphics solution. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records no head-to-head benchmark results between the Intel Arc G3 and the Intel Core 5 120U. This is because the Arc G3 has no measured scores at all. The Core 5 120U, however, provides a full picture of its own performance through its individual benchmark entries.

In Cinebench R23, the Core 5 120U scores 6659 in multi-core and 1756.5 in single-core. Its Cinebench R20 scores are 5349 multi-core and 755 single-core, while Cinebench R15 yields 1150.5 multi-core and 245 single-core. These numbers show a multi-core advantage that scales with workload intensity, but the single-core scores remain relatively close across versions, indicating stable single-thread performance.

Geekbench results for the Core 5 120U show 5888 multi-core and 1727 single-core. Passmark tests reveal a wide spread: multi-threaded performance at 15042, single-thread at 3479, integer math at 52280, floating point math at 36026, extended instructions at 9299, data compression at 166432, data encryption at 10453, random string sorting at 19060, and physics at 937. The prime number finding score is notably low at 53, which suggests the test is sensitive to the processor's architecture and clock behavior.

Since the Arc G3 has no entries, every comparison in this section is limited to the Core 5 120U's absolute scores. The data confirms that the Core 5 120U outperforms the Arc G3 in every recorded category, but this is a trivial outcome given the absence of Arc G3 measurements. The Arc G3's specifications, such as its 4.60 GHz boost clock and 18 MB L3 cache, cannot be translated into predicted scores without benchmark data.

The nearest rivals for the Core 5 120U provide additional context. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT scores 17891, a 0% delta from the Core 5 120U's average of 17898. The Intel Core 5 221TE scores 17860, which is 0.2% lower. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17994, which is 0.5% higher, and the Intel Core 7 350 scores 17779, which is 0.7% lower. These deltas are all within one percentage point, indicating that the Core 5 120U sits in a tightly contested performance tier.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The Intel Arc G3 has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ: 1.90 GHz for the Arc G3 versus 1.40 GHz for the Core 5 120U. Boost clocks also differ, with the Core 5 120U reaching 5.00 GHz versus 4.60 GHz for the Arc G3.

Thermal design power (TDP) is another differentiator. The Arc G3 has a TDP of 25, while the Core 5 120U has a TDP of 15. The sockets are incompatible: the Arc G3 uses Intel BGA 2540, and the Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744. The PCIe configuration differs as well, with the Arc G3 supporting Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only) and the Core 5 120U supporting Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Cache hierarchy is notably different. The Arc G3 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 120U has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support also splits: LPDDR5X for the Arc G3 with dual-channel and 136.5 GB/s bandwidth, versus DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 5 120U with dual-channel but no listed bandwidth.

Both processors share some traits. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both target the mobile market segment and are listed as active in production. The Arc G3's part number is SA4QZ, while the Core 5 120U's part number is SRM7P.

The release dates differ substantially. The Arc G3 is dated 2026-05-27, while the Core 5 120U is dated 2024-01-07. This puts the Arc G3 more than two years newer in the database's timeline.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Arc G3 is built on Panther Lake architecture, using a 3 nm process node. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the process generation gap is significant: 3 nm versus 10 nm represents a major lithographic advancement.

The Arc G3's 14 cores with 14 threads indicate a design without Hyper-Threading, which is unusual for modern Intel processors. The Core 5 120U's 10 cores and 12 threads suggest a hybrid arrangement, likely with performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the core type breakdown. The Arc G3's larger per-core cache (192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2) versus the Core 5 120U (80 KB L1, 1.25 MB L2) aligns with the newer architecture's higher cache capacity per execution unit.

The L3 cache difference, 18 MB shared versus 12 MB shared, also reflects the architectural update. The Arc G3's Panther Lake design pairs with LPDDR5X memory, which is a mobile-focused memory type offering higher bandwidth per channel, recorded at 136.5 GB/s. The Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving it broader compatibility with existing platforms, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Integrated graphics differ architecturally as well. The Arc G3 includes an Arc B370 GPU, while the Core 5 120U includes Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The Arc B370 represents a newer graphics architecture compared to the Iris Xe lineup.

The PCIe generation also differs: the Arc G3 uses Gen 5 with 4 lanes, while the Core 5 120U uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes. This means the Arc G3 has faster per-lane bandwidth but fewer total lanes, which is typical for a newer mobile platform prioritizing power efficiency. The Core 5 120U's 8 lanes provide more flexibility for certain peripherals but at lower per-lane speed.

The release timeline reinforces the architectural gap. The Core 5 120U launched in January 2024, while the Arc G3 is dated for late May 2026. The Core 5 120U also has a recorded average benchmark score of 17898 and a 72nd percentile standing, whereas the Arc G3 has no measurements and sits at the 50th percentile by default.

The process node difference of 3 nm versus 10 nm directly influences power characteristics. The Arc G3 has a higher TDP of 25 versus 15 for the Core 5 120U, despite the smaller node, which suggests the Arc G3's core configuration and higher base clock demand more power. The Core 5 120U's lower TDP makes it a better fit for thermally constrained designs, while the Arc G3 appears aimed at slightly higher performance envelopes within the mobile segment.