Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core 5 223PQE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no shared benchmark entries for the Intel Core 5 120 and the Intel Core 5 223PQE. The head-to-head benchmark array is empty, and neither processor has a recorded win in any direct comparison. This absence of data means no numerical comparison can be drawn from direct testing between the two units.

However, the Intel Core 5 120 has a full suite of individual benchmark results, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE has none recorded. The Core 5 120 posts a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18,255 and a single-core score of 2,577. In Cinebench R20, it records 7,667 multi-core and 1,082 single-core. The R15 results show 1,840 multi-core and 259 single-core. Passmark tests include a multi-thread score of 18,597, a single-thread score of 3,595, integer math at 60,462, floating-point math at 45,383, and extended instructions at 14,264. Data compression reaches 219,535, data encryption hits 11,131, prime number finding scores 77, random string sorting scores 21,499, and physics scores 1,333.

The Core 5 120 carries an average benchmark score of 25,362 and sits at the 77th percentile against all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database provide context. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D averages 25,365, a 0% delta. The Intel Core i7-11700KF averages 25,423, which is 0.2% higher. The Intel Core i5-13400F averages 25,292, which is 0.3% lower. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U averages 25,432, 0.3% higher. These deltas are all within a fraction of a percent, indicating the Core 5 120 performs essentially on par with each of these four rivals in aggregate scoring.

The Core 5 223PQE has no benchmark entries, no average score, and no nearest rivals listed. Its percentile rank is 50, which places it at the median of the database, but this rank is derived without any recorded test data. The absence of measurements for the 223PQE makes any direct score-to-score comparison impossible, and the data does not support claims of superiority or inferiority for either part in a head-to-head context.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear asymmetry. The Intel Core 5 120 is fully characterized with 17 benchmark results, an average score of 25,362, and a 77th percentile ranking. The Intel Core 5 223PQE has zero benchmark results, an average score of 0, and a 50th percentile ranking. From a pure measurement standpoint, the Core 5 120 is the only one of the two with verified performance data.

The Core 5 120's aggregate score places it in a tight cluster with four named rivals. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D matches it exactly at 0% delta. The Intel Core i7-11700KF sits 0.2% higher, the Intel Core i5-13400F sits 0.3% lower, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U sits 0.3% higher. These differences are negligible, so the Core 5 120 can be regarded as statistically equivalent to all four in overall performance.

The Core 5 223PQE, lacking any measurements, cannot be ranked against the Core 5 120 or any other processor in the database. Its percentile of 50 is a placeholder, not a validation of performance. For users who require benchmark-verified performance, the data points exclusively to the Core 5 120. For the 223PQE, no evidence exists in the database to support a performance claim, and no purchase decision can be justified by measurements.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share several architectural traits but diverge in core counts, cache configuration, clock speeds, and feature support. Both use Intel as the manufacturer and the Intel Socket 1700. Both run on a 10 nm process node from Intel. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. Both provide PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-R and belongs to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. It has 6 cores and 12 threads. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz and its boost clock is 4.50 GHz. The thermal design power is 65 watts. The die size is 163 mm². The L1 cache is 80 KB per core, the L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core, and the L3 cache is 18 MB shared. It includes integrated UHD Graphics 730. It does not support ECC memory. Its launch MSRP is $211. It was released on 2025-07-30 and carries the part number SA35V.

The Core 5 223PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. It has 8 cores and 16 threads. Its base clock is 4.00 GHz and its boost clock is 5.50 GHz. The thermal design power is 125 watts. No die size is recorded. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core, the L2 cache is 2 MB per core, and the L3 cache is 24 MB shared. It includes integrated UHD Graphics 770. It supports ECC memory. Its memory bandwidth is listed at 89.6 GB/s. Its launch MSRP is $319. It was released on 2026-03-08 and carries the part number SA4QC.

The 223PQE offers two additional cores and four additional threads over the 120. Its base clock is 1.50 GHz higher and its boost clock is 1.00 GHz higher. The L2 cache per core is 0.75 MB larger, and the L3 cache is 6 MB larger. The 223PQE also carries a 60 watt higher TDP, reflecting its higher clock speeds and core count. The integrated graphics differ, with the 223PQE using the 770 variant versus the 730 on the 120. ECC memory support appears only on the 223PQE. Memory bandwidth is only listed for the 223PQE at 89.6 GB/s.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Core 5 120 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Core 5 223PQE has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The Core 5 223PQE supports ECC memory. The Core 5 120 does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Core 5 120 has an average benchmark score of 25,362. The Core 5 223PQE has an average benchmark score of 0, as no benchmark results are recorded in the database.

Q: How does the Core 5 120 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core 5 120 is within 0.3% of four rivals. It matches the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D at 0% delta, trails the Intel Core i7-11700KF by 0.2%, leads the Intel Core i5-13400F by 0.3%, and trails the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U by 0.3%.

Q: What is the cache configuration for each?

A: Both have 80 KB L1 per core. The Core 5 120 has 1.25 MB L2 per core and 18 MB shared L3. The Core 5 223PQE has 2 MB L2 per core and 24 MB shared L3.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 120 wins in the category of verified performance data. It has 17 recorded benchmark scores across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Passmark tests. Its average score of 25,362 and 77th percentile ranking give it a measurable position in the database. The Core 5 223PQE has no recorded scores, so it cannot demonstrate any benchmark win.

The Core 5 223PQE wins on paper specifications. It offers more cores (8 versus 6), more threads (16 versus 12), higher base and boost clocks (4.00 GHz and 5.50 GHz versus 2.50 GHz and 4.50 GHz), more L2 cache per core (2 MB versus 1.25 MB), more L3 cache (24 MB versus 18 MB), and ECC memory support. It also lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not recorded for the Core 5 120.

For workloads that depend on multi-threaded throughput, the 223PQE's additional two cores and four threads, combined with its higher clocks, suggest an advantage, but no benchmark data confirms this. For workloads that depend on single-thread speed, the 223PQE's higher boost clock suggests an advantage, again unverified. The Core 5 120, by contrast, has concrete single-thread scores of 2,577 in Cinebench R23, 1,082 in R20, and 259 in R15, along with a Passmark single-thread score of 3,595.

The Core 5 120 also wins on thermal design, with a 65 watt TDP versus 125 watts for the 223PQE. This lower power envelope makes it more suitable for systems with modest cooling. The 223PQE requires more robust thermal management given the higher TDP.

The integrated graphics favor the 223PQE on paper, with the UHD Graphics 770 versus the UHD Graphics 730 on the 120. No graphics benchmarks are recorded for either processor.

The Core 5 120 wins on market availability in the database timeline, with a release date of 2025-07-30, while the 223PQE is dated 2026-03-08. The Core 5 120 also carries a lower launch MSRP of $211 compared to $319 for the 223PQE.

In summary, the Core 5 120 wins on measured performance, thermal efficiency, and earlier release. The Core 5 223PQE wins on core count, clock speed, cache size, ECC support, and memory bandwidth specifications, but without any benchmark results to validate these advantages. The database cannot confirm a performance win for the 223PQE, and all numerical performance claims must rest on the Core 5 120's recorded scores.