CPU Comparison
Intel Core 5 120
Core i7-11700KF
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core i7-11700KF
The Intel Core i7-11700KF and Intel Core 5 120 are both desktop processors from Intel, but they represent very different design eras. The i7-11700KF is an end-of-life 11th Gen Rocket Lake part, while the Core 5 120 is an active Raptor Lake Refresh model. Despite their generational gap, benchmark data shows they land in a similar performance bracket, with the i7-11700KF holding a slight edge in aggregate scores but the Core 5 120 winning in specific single-threaded and physics-based workloads.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the i7-11700KF's dominance in multi-threaded and throughput-oriented tests. Across the Cinebench suite, the i7-11700KF wins every single test by a consistent margin of 10.7-10.8%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 20214 against 18255 for the Core 5 120, while in Cinebench R20 multicore the gap is 8489 versus 7667. Even in single-core Cinebench tests, the i7-11700KF leads, scoring 2853 in R23 single-core compared to 2577 for the Core 5 120, a 10.7% advantage.
The throughput gap widens dramatically in PassMark's specialized workloads. The i7-11700KF wins random string sorting by 68.9%, scoring 36309 versus 21499. Extended instructions show a 56% lead for the i7-11700KF (22247 vs 14264), and data compression results favor it by 44.7% (317712 vs 219535). Integer math tells a similar story, with the i7-11700KF scoring 85377 against 60462, a 41.2% advantage. Data encryption also favors the i7-11700KF, with a 36.8% lead (15229 vs 11131). The PassMark multithread score confirms this trend, showing a 28.1% win for the i7-11700KF at 23819 versus 18597.
The Core 5 120, however, is not without its victories. Its most significant win comes in PassMark physics, where it scores 1333 against 985, a 26.1% advantage for the Core 5 120. It also wins PassMark find prime numbers by 19.5% (77 vs 62). In single-threaded PassMark tests, the Core 5 120 takes a 6.3% lead, scoring 3595 versus 3368 in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread. Floating point math is closer, with the i7-11700KF winning 50571 to 45383, an 11.4% margin.
Overall, the i7-11700KF wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Core 5 120 takes 4. The i7-11700KF's average benchmark score is 25423, while the Core 5 120 averages 25362, a difference of 0.2% in favor of the i7-11700KF. Both processors sit at the 77th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are closely matched in overall capability despite their differing strengths.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and microarchitectures. The i7-11700KF uses Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 276 mm², while the Core 5 120 is built on a 10 nm node with a die size of 163 mm². The i7-11700KF is based on the Rocket Lake architecture, whereas the Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake Refresh generation.
Core counts differ significantly: the i7-11700KF has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i7-11700KF compensates for its older node with higher clock speeds, boosting to 5.00 GHz compared to 4.50 GHz for the Core 5 120. Base clocks also favor the i7-11700KF at 3.60 GHz versus 2.50 GHz, though the Core 5 120 has a much lower TDP of 65 watts versus 125 watts for the i7-11700KF.
Cache layouts show distinct approaches. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs substantially: the i7-11700KF has 512 KB per core, while the Core 5 120 has 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache favors the Core 5 120, which has 18 MB shared versus 16 MB shared on the i7-11700KF. This larger per-core L2 and L3 cache on the Core 5 120 likely contributes to its wins in single-threaded and physics tests.
Connectivity and memory support also separate the two. The i7-11700KF supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but no memory bandwidth figure is available. PCIe support differs, with the i7-11700KF offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 120 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 120 includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, whereas the i7-11700KF has no integrated graphics.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core i7-11700KF has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.
Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?
A: The i7-11700KF scores 20214 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 10.7% higher than the Core 5 120's score of 18255.
Q: In which benchmarks does the Core 5 120 outperform the i7-11700KF?
A: The Core 5 120 wins PassMark physics (1333 vs 985), PassMark find prime numbers (77 vs 62), and PassMark single-thread tests (3595 vs 3368).
Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two processors?
A: The i7-11700KF has a TDP of 125 watts, while the Core 5 120 has a TDP of 65 watts.
Q: Does the Core 5 120 have integrated graphics?
A: Yes, the Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the i7-11700KF has no integrated graphics.
Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?
A: The Intel Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the i7-11700KF supports only DDR4.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in several key specifications. Core counts are 8 for the i7-11700KF versus 6 for the Core 5 120, with corresponding thread counts of 16 and 12. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for the i7-11700KF and 2.50 GHz for the Core 5 120, while boost clocks are 5.00 GHz and 4.50 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 125 watts for the i7-11700KF and 65 watts for the Core 5 120.
The socket types differ, with the i7-11700KF using Intel Socket 1200 and the Core 5 120 using Intel Socket 1700. Process nodes are 14 nm for the i7-11700KF and 10 nm for the Core 5 120, with die sizes of 276 mm² and 163 mm² respectively. L2 cache per core is 512 KB on the i7-11700KF and 1.25 MB on the Core 5 120, while L3 cache is 16 MB shared on the i7-11700KF and 18 MB shared on the Core 5 120.
Memory support shows the i7-11700KF limited to DDR4, while the Core 5 120 supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is listed as 51.2 GB/s for the i7-11700KF, with no figure for the Core 5 120. PCIe support differs: Gen 4 with 20 lanes for the i7-11700KF versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 5 120. The i7-11700KF has no integrated graphics, while the Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730.
Production status separates them clearly, with the i7-11700KF marked as end-of-life and the Core 5 120 as active. Release dates are 2021-03-15 for the i7-11700KF and 2025-07-30 for the Core 5 120. The i7-11700KF has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 120 does not.
Where Each One Wins
The i7-11700KF is the clear winner in multi-threaded productivity tasks. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration gives it a substantial edge in Cinebench multicore tests, where it leads by roughly 10.7% across R15, R20, and R23. The PassMark results reinforce this, with the i7-11700KF showing large advantages in data compression (44.7%), data encryption (36.8%), integer math (41.2%), and extended instructions (56%). For users running heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or data processing, the i7-11700KF offers measurably better throughput.
The Core 5 120 wins in specific single-threaded and physics-oriented scenarios. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3595 is 6.3% higher than the i7-11700KF's 3368, and it wins PassMark physics by 26.1% (1333 vs 985). The find prime numbers test also favors it, 77 vs 62. These wins suggest the Core 5 120 has superior per-core efficiency, likely due to its newer architecture and larger L2 cache. For workloads that are lightly threaded or rely on physics calculations, the Core 5 120 has the advantage.
The i7-11700KF also wins in floating point math, scoring 50571 versus 45383, an 11.4% margin. This adds to its appeal for scientific or engineering applications that depend on floating-point performance. However, the Core 5 120's lower TDP of 65 watts versus 125 watts makes it a more efficient choice for systems where power draw is a consideration.
The Verdict
The data presents a split decision based on workload priorities. The Intel Core i7-11700KF is the stronger choice for multi-threaded performance, winning 13 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and posting a higher average score of 25423 versus 25362. Its consistent 10.7% lead across all Cinebench tests and significant advantages in PassMark compression, encryption, integer math, and extended instructions make it the pick for anyone running heavily parallel workloads. The i7-11700KF's higher TDP of 125 watts is the trade-off for this performance.
The Intel Core 5 120 is the better option for single-threaded efficiency and physics-based tasks. Its wins in PassMark single-thread (3595 vs 3368), physics (1333 vs 985), and find prime numbers (77 vs 62) indicate superior per-core architecture. The Core 5 120 also offers modern features the i7-11700KF lacks, including DDR5 memory support, PCIe Gen 5, integrated UHD Graphics 730, and a significantly lower TDP of 65 watts. Its active production status and newer release date mean it remains a current product.
For users building a new system today, the Core 5 120's combination of modern platform support, lower power draw, and competitive single-threaded performance makes it a sensible choice, particularly for general desktop use or gaming where single-thread performance matters. For users with existing Socket 1200 platforms, or those prioritizing multi-threaded throughput above all else, the i7-11700KF delivers superior raw compute performance, with its 8-core advantage proving decisive in the majority of benchmark tests.