Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents an unusually one-sided comparison. The Intel Core 5 120 wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 221TE records zero wins. The average benchmark score for the Core 5 120 is 25362, placing it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 221TE averages 17860, sitting in the 71st percentile. The Core 5 120 sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (25365, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-13400F (25292, 0.3% ahead). The Core 5 221TE aligns with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, 0.2% behind) and the Intel Core 7 350 (17779, 0.5% behind).

For a desktop builder prioritizing raw compute throughput, the Core 5 120 is the clear choice. It delivers substantially higher multi-core and single-core scores across every Cinebench iteration and every PassMark workload. The Core 5 221TE, despite having more cores and threads, falls behind in every measured test. The 221TE's lower base clock of 1.80 GHz versus 2.50 GHz on the 120 appears to be a decisive factor, even with the 221TE's higher 5.00 GHz boost clock.

The 221TE does offer a lower 45 TDP compared to 65 TDP on the 120, and it supports ECC memory, which the 120 does not. That makes the 221TE a candidate for low-power or reliability-focused builds, but only if the user accepts a significant performance deficit. The data shows the 120 is faster in every scenario measured, so the 221TE only makes sense where its lower power envelope or ECC support is mandatory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 10 nm process node and are both built by Intel. They use the same Intel Socket 1700 and offer identical PCIe support: Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only). Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over dual-channel buses. Integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 730 on both parts. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core configuration differs sharply. The Core 5 120 uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 5 221TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads. The 221TE therefore has 4 more physical cores and 4 more threads. The 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, part of the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The 120's die size is 163 mm², while the 221TE's die is 215 mm².

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both share the same per-core L1 (80 KB per core) and L2 (1.25 MB per core) capacities. The L3 cache, however, is larger on the 221TE: 24 MB shared versus 18 MB shared on the 120. The 221TE also lists a memory bandwidth figure of 76.8 GB/s, while the 120's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the 221TE. The 120 does not support ECC. The 221TE also launched earlier, with a release date of 2025-01-12, while the 120 came later on 2025-07-30. The 221TE carries the part number SRVQS, the 120 uses SA35V.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core 5 120's boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120 does not.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 18 MB.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a 45 TDP rating, lower than the Intel Core 5 120's 65 TDP.

Q: Which processor scores higher in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255, which is 61.5% higher than the Intel Core 5 221TE's 11305.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the database records.

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120 | Intel Core 5 221TE |

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

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 | 45 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Not recorded |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) |

| Die Size | 163 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| Release Date | 2025-07-30 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $211 | $232 |

| Part Number | SA35V | SRVQS |

Both processors share the same socket, process node, foundry, PCIe configuration, memory type support, memory bus width, integrated graphics, and multiplier lock status. They also use identical per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core 5 120 dominates every recorded benchmark. The largest margin appears in single-thread tests. In PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread, the 120 scores 3595 against the 221TE's 1734, a 107.3% advantage. That is more than double the performance. The Cinebench single-core results are consistently around 61.5% ahead: R15 single-core shows 259 versus 160, R20 single-core shows 1082 versus 670, and R23 single-core shows 2577 versus 1596. Each of those represents a 61.5% delta.

Multi-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern. R15 multi-core is 1840 versus 1139, a 61.5% lead. R20 multi-core is 7667 versus 4748, also 61.5%. R23 multi-core is 18255 versus 11305, again 61.5%. The consistency across Cinebench versions indicates a stable per-core advantage that scales uniformly.

PassMark workload results show smaller but still substantial margins. Data compression: 219535 versus 156682, a 40.1% lead for the 120. Data encryption: 11131 versus 8963, a 24.2% lead. Extended instructions: 14264 versus 9655, a 47.7% lead. Prime number finding: 77 versus 59, a 30.5% lead. Floating point math: 45383 versus 31661, a 43.3% lead. Integer math: 60462 versus 42303, a 42.9% lead. Multithread: 18597 versus 13301, a 39.8% lead. Physics: 1333 versus 977, a 36.4% lead. Random string sorting: 21499 versus 16929, a 27% lead.

The 221TE's higher core count does not translate into any win. Even in the multithreaded PassMark test, where the 221TE's 10 cores might be expected to help, the 120 still leads by 39.8%. The 221TE's low base clock of 1.80 GHz appears to limit its throughput across all workloads, despite its 5.00 GHz boost capability. The boost clock is not sustained enough in these tests to overcome the 120's higher base frequency and superior per-core performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 120 wins in every measured category. For users running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the 120 provides roughly 61.5% higher scores across all R15, R20, and R23 tests. That makes it the stronger choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other multi-threaded creative applications. Its advantage in PassMark integer math (42.9%) and floating point math (43.3%) also points to general computational tasks, scientific simulations, and spreadsheet or database workloads.

The 120's enormous single-thread lead (107.3% in PassMark single-thread) indicates a major advantage for lightly threaded applications such as legacy software, certain games that rely on one or two threads, and general desktop responsiveness. The Cinebench single-core margins of 61.5% reinforce this. Users who prioritize snappy interaction and single-core-bound software should select the 120 without hesitation.

The Core 5 221TE has no benchmark wins to claim. Its strengths lie outside the performance data. The 45 TDP rating makes it a lower-power part, which can simplify cooling in compact systems or reduce electricity draw in always-on machines. The ECC memory support makes it viable for error-correcting memory configurations, which matters for data integrity in storage servers or financial computations. Its larger L3 cache (24 MB versus 18 MB) and higher boost clock (5.00 GHz versus 4.50 GHz) do not translate into measured wins. The 221TE's earlier release date and higher launch MSRP of $232, compared to $211 for the 120, further reduce its appeal in performance terms.

For a builder focused purely on speed, the 120 is the only rational pick. For a builder with a strict power budget or a requirement for ECC memory, the 221TE serves that niche, but the recorded data shows it sacrifices a substantial amount of performance to do so. The 120's average benchmark score of 25362 places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D and Intel Core i5-13400F, while the 221TE's 17860 places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 7 350. That tier gap confirms the 120 operates in a higher performance class despite having fewer cores.