Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core 5 223PTE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for the Intel Core 5 120 and the Intel Core 5 223PTE presents an unusual comparison scenario. The Core 5 120 has a complete set of benchmark results across multiple test suites, while the Core 5 223PTE has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. This absence of direct measurements for the 223PTE means the head-to-head comparison relies entirely on the architectural specifications and the performance trajectory of the Core 5 120 relative to its nearest competitors.

The Core 5 120 delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18,255 points and a single-core score of 2,577 points. In Cinebench R20, it reaches 7,667 multi-core and 1,082 single-core. The older R15 test shows 1,840 multi-core and 259 single-core. These results place the processor at the 77th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 25,362. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D with an average score of 25,365 (a delta of 0 percent), the Intel Core i7-11700KF at 25,423 (delta of -0.2 percent), the Intel Core i5-13400F at 25,292 (delta of 0.3 percent), and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U at 25,432 (delta of -0.3 percent). This tight clustering shows the Core 5 120 sits in a highly competitive performance band, with differences under a fraction of a percent.

PassMark results for the Core 5 120 further detail its capabilities. The multi-thread score is 18,597, while single-thread performance reaches 3,595. Integer math scores 60,462, floating point math 45,383, and extended instructions 14,264. Data compression reaches 219,535, data encryption 11,131, and random string sorting 21,499. Physics simulation scores 1,333, and prime number finding scores 77.

For the Core 5 223PTE, the database records no benchmark scores, no average score, and no rival comparisons. Its percentile ranking is listed at 50, which suggests a median position, but without measured results this remains a nominal figure. The absence of data means no direct wins can be assigned to either processor in a head-to-head format. The Core 5 120 has all recorded wins by default, but this reflects data completeness rather than measured superiority.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share fundamental Intel design traits but diverge in several key specifications. Both use a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, and both fit the Intel Socket 1700. Physical dimensions differ: the Core 5 120 has a die size of 163 mm², while the 223PTE has no recorded die size. The Core 5 120 belongs to the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The 223PTE uses the Bartlett Lake codename under the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation, with no specific architecture designation recorded.

Core and thread counts show a clear difference. The Core 5 120 provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 223PTE offers 8 cores and 16 threads, a 33 percent increase in core count and a 33 percent increase in thread count. Base clock speeds favor the 120 at 2.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz for the 223PTE, a modest 0.20 GHz advantage. Boost clock speeds reverse this relationship: the 223PTE reaches 5.40 GHz, while the 120 tops out at 4.50 GHz, giving the 223PTE a 0.90 GHz boost advantage. Thermal design power also differs substantially. The 120 has a 65 W TDP, while the 223PTE operates at 45 W, making the latter more power-efficient on paper despite having more cores and a higher boost clock.

Cache hierarchies show structural differences. Both allocate 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the 120, expanding to 2 MB per core on the 223PTE, a 60 percent per-core increase. Shared L3 cache totals 18 MB on the 120 versus 24 MB on the 223PTE, a 33 percent increase. These cache advantages for the 223PTE align with its higher core count and boost clock, suggesting Intel designed it for sustained workloads.

Memory support is identical in type: both support DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The 223PTE records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure exists for the 120. ECC memory support differs: the 120 does not support ECC, while the 223PTE includes ECC capability, a notable feature for reliability-sensitive environments. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: the 120 ships with UHD Graphics 730, while the 223PTE includes UHD Graphics 770, representing a higher-tier integrated GPU.

Production status for both is Active. Release dates differ by roughly seven months: the 120 launched on 2025-07-30, and the 223PTE on 2026-03-08. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported in either case. The 120 has the part number SA35V, while the 223PTE uses SA4QL.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on recorded specifications, the Core 5 223PTE holds advantages in several areas that typically translate to performance wins. Its 8 cores and 16 threads outnumber the 6 cores and 12 threads of the Core 5 120, which should benefit heavily threaded workloads such as video rendering, compilation, and scientific simulations. The 5.40 GHz boost clock gives it a clear edge in bursty single-thread tasks, where higher frequency often dictates performance. The larger L2 and L3 caches provide more headroom for data-intensive operations, reducing memory access latency. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, while not compared directly to the 120 since no figure exists, indicates a designed capacity for memory-heavy workloads. ECC memory support makes the 223PTE suitable for error-sensitive computing, a feature the 120 lacks.

The Core 5 120, despite fewer cores, has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz. This base frequency advantage could help in scenarios where sustained all-core operation at lower boost levels is common, such as certain server or background workloads. Its 65 W TDP, while higher than the 45 W of the 223PTE, often allows for more consistent power delivery in desktop builds with adequate cooling. The 163 mm² die size provides a known physical footprint for thermal design, whereas the 223PTE lacks such data.

The measured performance of the Core 5 120 places it in a specific competitive context. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18,255 and single-core score of 2,577, combined with PassMark multi-thread of 18,597 and single-thread of 3,595, establish its capabilities. The nearest rivals show the processor is within 0.3 percent of the Intel Core i5-13400F, which suggests it competes at a mainstream desktop level. The 77th percentile ranking indicates it outperforms most CPUs in the database while remaining below top-tier parts.

Without benchmark data for the 223PTE, no measured wins can be confirmed for either side. The database records zero wins for both processors in head-to-head tests. The 223PTE's architectural advantages suggest it likely outperforms the 120 in multi-core and burst workloads, but this conclusion stems from specifications, not measurements. The 120's existing benchmark scores provide a baseline for what the 223PTE must exceed to claim superiority in actual testing.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

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

Q: What are the boost clock differences between the two?

A: The Core 5 223PTE boosts to 5.40 GHz, which is 0.90 GHz higher than the Core 5 120's 4.50 GHz boost clock.

Q: Does the Core 5 223PTE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Core 5 223PTE supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 120 does not support ECC.

Q: What are the L3 cache sizes for each processor?

A: The Core 5 120 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, and the Core 5 223PTE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What benchmark scores does the Core 5 120 achieve in Cinebench R23?

A: The Core 5 120 scores 18,255 in multi-core and 2,577 in single-core for Cinebench R23.

Q: Are there any benchmark scores recorded for the Core 5 223PTE?

A: The database records no benchmark scores for the Core 5 223PTE, so its measured performance is currently unknown.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear informational asymmetry. The Intel Core 5 120 has a full set of measured results, confirming it as a competitive mid-range desktop processor. Its average benchmark score of 25,362 and 77th percentile ranking place it alongside the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (25,365, 0 percent delta) and slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-13400F (25,292, 0.3 percent delta). These scores demonstrate solid multi-threaded and single-threaded performance for its class. Its 6 cores, 12 threads, and 4.50 GHz boost clock serve mainstream workloads well, with Cinebench R23 results of 18,255 multi-core and 2,577 single-core as reference points.

The Intel Core 5 223PTE, conversely, presents a specification-driven case without measured verification. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, 5.40 GHz boost clock, 24 MB L3 cache, and 45 W TDP indicate a processor designed for higher multi-thread throughput and better single-thread burst performance than the 120. The ECC support and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth add reliability and bandwidth features absent from the 120. However, the absence of any benchmark scores means the database cannot confirm these advantages in practice. The 50th percentile ranking is nominal, not performance-based.

For a user selecting between these two, the choice depends on workload priorities. The Core 5 120 offers verified performance, a known 163 mm² die size, and a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz. Its measured results allow for confident deployment in tasks like rendering or compilation where its 18,255 R23 multi-core score provides a concrete baseline. The Core 5 223PTE promises more cores, more cache, a higher boost clock, and ECC support, all of which should favor heavy multi-threading and reliability-critical applications. The 45 W TDP suggests lower power draw despite higher peak performance.

The 223PTE's release date of 2026-03-08 places it later in the product cycle, and its Bartlett Lake codename indicates a distinct architectural lineage from the Raptor Lake-based 120. Without measurements, the 223PTE remains an unverified contender. The database's recorded data supports the Core 5 120 as a proven performer, while the Core 5 223PTE stands as a specification-rich alternative awaiting benchmark validation. Users requiring immediate, documented performance should favor the 120. Users prioritizing core count, cache size, boost frequency, and ECC capability may prefer the 223PTE, but they should acknowledge the lack of confirmed scores. The verdict from the data is clear: the Core 5 120 has demonstrated its capabilities, and the Core 5 223PTE has not yet demonstrated its potential.