Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison
Intel Core 5 120
Core 5 211E
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core 5 211E
The Verdict
The recorded data positions the Intel Core 5 211E as the stronger processor in nearly every measurable category. It wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with an average benchmark score of 37829 compared to 25362 for the Intel Core 5 120. The 211E also holds a higher percentile rank among all CPUs, sitting at 86 versus 77 for the 120. The 211E delivers consistent double-digit advantages across Cinebench multi-core and single-core workloads, with deltas of roughly 10.5% in its favor. The Core 5 120 does claim two specific wins, in prime number finding and physics simulations, with leads of 79.1% and 89.9% respectively. Those results suggest the 120 has unusual strength in narrow integer workloads, but the overall pattern is clear: the 211E is the higher-performing part for general and threaded applications.
The data does not support selecting the Core 5 120 for any broad workload category. Its two wins, while large in percentage terms, are isolated to specialized tests that do not reflect typical productivity or content creation. The 211E, with 10 cores and 16 threads against 6 cores and 12 threads, plus a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.50 GHz, simply outclasses the 120 in the aggregate. The 211E also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the 120, which matters for systems where data integrity is prioritized. The launch MSRP of the 211E is $221, while the 120 carries a launch MSRP of $211, a modest difference given the performance gap.
Architecture Differences
The two processors share the same Intel Socket 1700 and the same 10 nm process node, but their underlying designs diverge significantly. The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename with the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The die sizes differ substantially: the 120 measures 163 mm², while the 211E is larger at 257 mm².
Core and thread counts are the most obvious split. The 120 offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 211E provides 10 cores and 16 threads. Cache hierarchies also differ. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core and 18 MB or 20 MB of shared L3 respectively, but the L2 cache per core is 1.25 MB on the 120 and 2 MB on the 211E. The larger L2 allocation on the 211E likely contributes to its performance edge in data-heavy tasks.
Memory support is similar on the surface, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. However, the 211E lists a memory bandwidth figure of 76.8 GB/s, while the 120 does not report a corresponding number. The 211E also enables ECC memory, a capability absent on the 120. Both processors use Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU and integrate UHD Graphics 730. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option on either part.
The production status for both is listed as Active. The 120 has a release date of 2025-07-30, while the 211E released earlier on 2025-01-12. Both are desktop parts from Intel.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.
Q: Does the Intel Core 5 211E support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the 211E lists ECC memory support as true. The Intel Core 5 120 does not support ECC memory.
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core 5 211E records an average benchmark score of 37829, compared to 25362 for the Intel Core 5 120. The 211E also ranks in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, versus the 77th percentile for the 120.
Q: In which benchmarks does the Intel Core 5 120 win?
A: The 120 wins two head-to-head tests: PassMark find prime numbers with a score of 77 against 43 (a 79.1% advantage) and PassMark physics with a score of 1333 against 702 (an 89.9% advantage).
Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23?
A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 211E scores 20389 versus 18255 for the 120, a 10.5% lead. In single-core, the 211E scores 2878 versus 2577, a 10.5% lead as well.
Q: Do both processors use the same socket?
A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700. They also share the same 10 nm process node and integrate UHD Graphics 730.
Specification Differences
The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ according to the database.
| Field | Intel Core 5 120 | Intel Core 5 211E |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cores | 6 | 10 |
| Threads | 12 | 16 |
| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.70 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.90 GHz |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Not listed |
| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Bartlett Lake |
| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) |
| Die size | 163 mm² | 257 mm² |
| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 18 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |
| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 76.8 GB/s |
| ECC memory | False | True |
| Release date | 2025-07-30 | 2025-01-12 |
| Launch MSRP | $211 | $221 |
| Part number | SA35V | SRQERQ65F |
Both processors share the same manufacturer, 65 W TDP, socket, process node, foundry, L1 cache size, memory support type, memory bus width, PCIe configuration, integrated graphics, market segment, production status, and unlocked multiplier status.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head data shows a dominant performance profile for the Intel Core 5 211E. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 211E scores 2055 against 1840 for the 120, a 10.5% delta. Single-core R15 follows the same pattern: 289 versus 259, a 10.4% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 8563 against 7667, another 10.5% gap, and R20 single-core shows 1208 versus 1082, a 10.4% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives 20389 versus 18255, and R23 single-core gives 2878 versus 2577, both at 10.5% deltas. PassMark single-thread results show 4006 versus 3595, a 10.3% lead for the 211E.
The PassMark suite reveals even larger gaps in threaded and data-intensive workloads. Data compression shows the 211E at 346757 versus 219535, a 36.7% advantage. Data encryption records 17938 against 11131, a 37.9% lead. Extended instructions score 21592 versus 14264, a 33.9% gap. Floating point math delivers 66402 against 45383, a 31.7% margin. Integer math shows 88117 versus 60462, a 31.4% difference. Multithread performance is 23833 versus 18597, a 22% lead. Random string sorting records 34308 versus 21499, a 37.3% gap.
The two wins for the Intel Core 5 120 are striking in their magnitude. In the PassMark find prime numbers test, the 120 scores 77 while the 211E scores 43, giving the 120 a 79.1% advantage. In PassMark physics, the 120 scores 1333 against 702 for the 211E, an 89.9% lead. These are the only tests where the 120 comes out ahead, and they are both specialized workloads that measure narrow computational patterns rather than general-purpose performance.
The consistency of the 211E's wins across Cinebench and PassMark tests indicates that its advantages come from both higher clock speeds and additional cores. The 10.3% to 10.5% single-core gaps align closely with the boost clock difference of 4.90 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. The larger multi-core and data-intensive gaps, ranging from 22% to 37.9%, reflect the 4 additional cores and 4 additional threads available on the 211E.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core 5 211E wins in essentially every category that matters for typical desktop workloads. Cinebench results, both multi-core and single-core, favor the 211E by roughly 10.5%. PassMark multithread, integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, and single-thread tests all show the 211E ahead by margins from 10.3% to 37.9%. For users running rendering workloads, compiling code, compressing files, or processing large datasets, the data points squarely at the 211E. Its ECC memory support adds another layer of suitability for systems where memory errors are unacceptable, such as small servers or workstations handling critical data. The larger L3 cache of 20 MB and the 2 MB per-core L2 cache also give the 211E an edge in workloads that repeatedly access the same data.
The Intel Core 5 120 has a narrow but real niche. Its 79.1% lead in prime number finding and 89.9% lead in physics suggest that certain integer-heavy or physics-simulation workloads respond strongly to its specific microarchitecture. The 120 also carries a lower launch MSRP of $211 and a smaller die size of 163 mm², which could imply lower manufacturing complexity. However, the database does not quantify power consumption beyond the shared 65 W TDP, so any efficiency conclusion would be speculative. For general productivity, content creation, or any multi-threaded application, the recorded benchmarks favor the 211E without exception. The 120's two wins are real but isolated, and they do not offset the 211E's broad superiority across the rest of the test suite.