Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core 5 120 and Intel Core 7 251TE share a socket and process node, but their performance profiles diverge sharply across workload types.

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core 5 120 wins only 2. The Core 7 251TE dominates in every multi-threaded and content-creation metric. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25518 versus 18255 for the Core 5 120 shows a 28.5% advantage. Similar margins appear throughout the Cinebench suite: R15 multicore 2572 versus 1840, and R20 multicore 10717 versus 7667, both also 28.5% gaps. The Core 7 251TE also leads in all PassMark compute tests, including a 51.9% lead in integer math (125739 versus 60462) and a 47% lead in floating-point math (85607 versus 45383).

The Core 5 120 wins only in the PassMark single-thread tests. It scores 3595 versus 3568 for the Core 7 251TE, a marginal 0.8% edge. This result is notable because the Core 7 251TE has a higher boost clock (5.40 GHz versus 4.50 GHz), but the Core 5 120 still edges ahead in this specific single-threaded workload.

The use-case split is straightforward. The Core 7 251TE is the choice for heavily parallel workloads: video rendering, data compression, encryption, scientific computing, and multi-threaded productivity. The Core 5 120 offers a slight single-thread advantage, which may benefit lightly threaded applications, but the margin is small and the Core 7 251TE remains competitive even there.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher Cinebench R23 multicore score?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE scores 25518, while the Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255. The Core 7 251TE leads by 28.5%.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel Core 5 120 outperforms the Intel Core 7 251TE?

A: Yes. In the PassMark single-thread test (listed as both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread), the Core 5 120 scores 3595 versus 3568 for the Core 7 251TE, a 0.8% lead.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math. The Core 7 251TE scores 125739, which is 51.9% higher than the Core 5 120's 60462.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Core 7 251TE also supports ECC memory and has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel Core 7 251TE has a TDP of 45 watts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent 28.4% to 28.5% advantage for the Core 7 251TE across all six tests. In R15 multicore, the scores are 2572 versus 1840. In R15 singlecore, 362 versus 259. In R20 multicore, 10717 versus 7667. In R20 singlecore, 1512 versus 1082, a 28.4% gap. In R23 multicore, 25518 versus 18255. In R23 singlecore, 3602 versus 2577. The consistency of these margins suggests a fundamental throughput advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

PassMark results show larger and more varied gaps. Data compression favors the Core 7 251TE by 34.3% (334399 versus 219535). Data encryption shows a 49.8% gap (22176 versus 11131). Extended instructions narrow to 16% (16974 versus 14264). Prime number finding shows a 45% gap (140 versus 77). Floating-point math shows a 47% gap (85607 versus 45383). Integer math shows the largest gap at 51.9% (125739 versus 60462). Multithreaded performance shows a 38.1% gap (30022 versus 18597). Physics tests show a 31.2% gap (1938 versus 1333). Random string sorting shows a 45.8% gap (39643 versus 21499).

The single exception is the PassMark single-thread test, where the Core 5 120 wins 3595 to 3568, a 0.8% margin. This is the only benchmark where the Core 5 120 leads, and the margin is within the noise range typical of single-thread measurements. The Core 7 251TE counters with a Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 3602 versus 2577, a 28.5% lead, which contradicts the PassMark single-thread result. The data suggests that single-thread performance depends heavily on the specific instruction mix and workload.

The average benchmark scores from the database place the Core 5 120 at 25362 and the Core 7 251TE at 41650. The Core 5 120 sits at the 77th percentile among all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (25365, 0% delta), Intel Core i7-11700KF (25423, -0.2%), Intel Core i5-13400F (25292, 0.3%), and AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (25432, -0.3%). The Core 7 251TE sits at the 88th percentile, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (41621, 0.1%), Intel Core i7-14650HX (41576, 0.2%), Intel Core i7-12850HX (41779, -0.3%), and Intel Core i7-14700T (41914, -0.6%).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.50 GHz for the Core 5 120 versus 1.40 GHz for the Core 7 251TE. Boost clocks differ in the opposite direction: 4.50 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. TDP ratings differ: 65 watts for the Core 5 120 versus 45 watts for the Core 7 251TE.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both use 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. The L3 cache differs: 18 MB shared for the Core 5 120 versus 36 MB shared for the Core 7 251TE. The die size differs: 163 mm² for the Core 5 120 versus 215 mm² for the Core 7 251TE.

Memory support is the same for DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel. The Core 7 251TE adds ECC memory support and has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not present for the Core 5 120. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 120 versus UHD Graphics 770 for the Core 7 251TE.

Release dates differ. The Core 5 120 launched on 2025-07-30 with a launch MSRP of $211. The Core 7 251TE launched on 2025-01-12 with a launch MSRP of $384. Both are active production parts with locked multipliers, and both use Intel Socket 1700.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 120 uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, and belongs to the Core 5 generation (Raptor Lake Refresh). The Core 7 251TE uses Bartlett Lake architecture and belongs to the Core 7 generation (Bartlett Lake). Despite different architecture names, both processors are built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry.

The architectural differences manifest primarily in core counts and cache sizes. The Core 7 251TE quadruples the core count (24 versus 6) and nearly doubles the shared L3 cache (36 MB versus 18 MB). The L1 and L2 cache per core are identical at 80 KB and 1.25 MB respectively. The die size difference (215 mm² versus 163 mm²) reflects the additional cores and cache.

The Core 7 251TE uses a lower base clock (1.40 GHz versus 2.50 GHz) but a higher boost clock (5.40 GHz versus 4.50 GHz). This combination, along with a 45-watt TDP versus 65 watts, suggests a design that can scale to high frequencies under lighter loads while maintaining power efficiency under full multi-core loads. The 24 cores at a low base clock allow the processor to spread work across many threads while keeping power draw in check.

ECC memory support on the Core 7 251TE indicates a workstation or server-oriented feature set. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the UHD Graphics 770 on the Core 7 251TE representing a newer or higher-tier iGPU than the UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 120.

The benchmark data confirms that the architectural differences translate into a substantial multicore advantage for the Core 7 251TE, while the Core 5 120 retains a narrow single-thread edge in one PassMark test. The 28.5% Cinebench gaps and the 16% to 51.9% PassMark gaps all favor the Core 7 251TE, consistent with its larger core count and cache. The single-thread PassMark result (0.8% for the Core 5 120) is the only counterpoint, and it is not corroborated by the Cinebench single-core results, which favor the Core 7 251TE by 28.5%.