Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

The Intel Core 5 120 and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T are two desktop processors from Intel that target distinctly different performance tiers. The data shows a decisive overall victory for the Core Ultra 5 225T, which wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. However, the Core 5 120 secures one important win, and the architectural split between the two is substantial. The Core 5 120 is a Raptor Lake Refresh part on Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 225T is an Arrow Lake-S chip on Socket 1851, and those foundational differences drive nearly every measurable outcome.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T dominates in almost every workload category measured. Its wins span rendering, compression, encryption, math, physics simulation, and single-thread performance. The largest margins come in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 284 versus 77 for the Core 5 120, a 72.9% advantage. Floating point math also heavily favors the Arrow Lake chip: 82751 versus 45383, a 45.2% lead. Data encryption shows a 39.1% gap (18289 versus 11131), and extended instructions land at 20083 versus 14264, a 29% difference. Physics simulation favors the Core Ultra 5 225T by 35.1% (2053 versus 1333), and multithread performance is 26.7% higher (25358 versus 18597). Random string sorting is 25.3% ahead (28774 versus 21499), and data compression is 6.2% better (233998 versus 219535).

The Core 5 120 claims exactly one benchmark: PassMark integer math. It scores 60462 against 59543 for the Core Ultra 5 225T, a 1.5% margin. This is a narrow win, but it indicates that the older chip's integer execution pipeline remains competitive in that specific workload. Every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core, goes to the Core Ultra 5 225T by a consistent 16.9% to 17% margin. The single-thread PassMark tests also favor the Core Ultra 5 225T by 17.3% (4348 versus 3595). In short, the Core Ultra 5 225T is the clear choice for any mixed or multi-threaded workload, while the Core 5 120 only holds a minor edge in integer math.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and different process nodes. The Core 5 120 uses Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 163 mm². The Core Ultra 5 225T is built on TSMC's 3 nm node and packs 17,800 million transistors into a 243 mm² die. That transistor count is not listed for the Core 5 120, but the die size difference is substantial. The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arrow Lake, specifically Arrow Lake-S. The Core 5 120 is part of the Core 5 generation (Raptor Lake Refresh), and the Core Ultra 5 225T belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 (Arrow Lake).

Core configuration differs sharply. The Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads, meaning it supports simultaneous multithreading. The Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads, so it has no multithreading per core. Despite having fewer threads, the Core Ultra 5 225T wins all multi-core Cinebench tests, indicating higher per-core throughput. Base clocks are identical at 2.50 GHz for both. Boost clocks differ: the Core 5 120 reaches 4.50 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 225T boosts to 4.90 GHz. Both are 65 W TDP parts, but the Core Ultra 5 225T achieves higher performance within that envelope.

Cache hierarchies are markedly different. The Core 5 120 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225T has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 225T's larger per-core caches likely contribute to its single-thread advantage. Memory support also diverges: the Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, while the Core Ultra 5 225T supports only DDR5 but with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Core 5 120 uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the Core 5 120 has UHD Graphics 730, and the Core Ultra 5 225T has Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. Neither supports ECC memory. The Core 5 120 has a launch MSRP of $211; the Core Ultra 5 225T has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a uniform pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 2214 against 1840 for the Core 5 120, a 16.9% lead. Single-core R15 is 312 versus 259, a 17% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core delivers 9227 versus 7667, again 16.9%. R20 single-core is 1302 versus 1082, 16.9%. Cinebench R23 multi-core reaches 21971 versus 18255, and R23 single-core is 3101 versus 2577, both also at 16.9%. These consistent margins suggest the Core Ultra 5 225T's advantage scales uniformly across rendering workloads, independent of thread count.

PassMark results show more varied gaps. Data compression gives the Core Ultra 5 225T a 6.2% edge (233998 versus 219535), a modest gain. Data encryption shows a much larger 39.1% gap (18289 versus 11131), indicating the Arrow Lake chip's encryption acceleration is significantly stronger. Extended instructions favor the Core Ultra 5 225T by 29% (20083 versus 14264). The find prime numbers test is the biggest blowout: 284 versus 77, a 72.9% difference. Floating point math is 45.2% higher (82751 versus 45383). Integer math is the sole Core 5 120 win: 60462 versus 59543, a 1.5% margin. Multithread PassMark is 25358 versus 18597, a 26.7% gap. Physics is 2053 versus 1333, 35.1%. Random string sorting is 28774 versus 21499, 25.3%. Single-thread PassMark is 4348 versus 3595, a 17.3% gap, matching the Cinebench single-core margins.

The average benchmark score tells the same story. The Core Ultra 5 225T averages 30468 across all tests, while the Core 5 120 averages 25362. That is a 20.1% difference in aggregate. The Core Ultra 5 225T sits at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 120 sits at the 77th. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 120 include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (average score 25365, 0% delta), the Intel Core i7-11700KF (25423, -0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-13400F (25292, 0.3%). The Core Ultra 5 225T's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-11980HK (30422, 0.2%), the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (30390, 0.3%), and the Intel Core i5-13600H (30548, -0.3%). These deltas place both chips in competitive positions within their respective performance brackets.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. The Core Ultra 5 225T has more physical cores, but the Core 5 120 supports simultaneous multithreading, giving both chips 12 and 10 logical threads, respectively.

Q: Why does the Core Ultra 5 225T win multi-core tests despite having fewer threads?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores versus 6, a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.50 GHz, and a larger cache configuration (192 KB L1, 3 MB L2, and 20 MB L3 per core or shared, versus 80 KB, 1.25 MB, and 18 MB). These factors combine to deliver higher per-core throughput, which outweighs the thread deficit.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark's find prime numbers test. The Core Ultra 5 225T scores 284, which is 72.9% ahead of the Core 5 120's 77. Floating point math is the second-largest gap at 45.2% (82751 versus 45383).

Q: Does the Core 5 120 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Core 5 120 wins PassMark integer math with a score of 60462 versus 59543 for the Core Ultra 5 225T, a 1.5% margin. This is its only head-to-head win out of 17 recorded tests.

Q: How do the two compare in average benchmark scores and percentiles?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T has an average benchmark score of 30468 and sits at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 120 has an average score of 25362 and sits at the 77th percentile. The Core Ultra 5 225T is roughly 20% higher in average score.

Q: What are the key socket and memory differences?

A: The Core 5 120 uses Intel Socket 1700 and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus. The Core Ultra 5 225T uses Intel Socket 1851 and supports only DDR5, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 225T also has more PCIe Gen 5 lanes (20 versus 16).

The Verdict

The data unequivocally favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T for nearly all workloads. It wins 16 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, all PassMark single-thread and multithread tests, and all specialized math and encryption workloads. Its average benchmark score of 30468 places it in the 82nd percentile, versus the 77th percentile for the Core 5 120 at 25362. The Core Ultra 5 225T is built on a 3 nm TSMC process with 10 cores, a 4.90 GHz boost clock, and 20 MB of L3 cache, which explains its consistent 16.9% to 72.9% margins across most tests.

The Core 5 120 is only competitive in one specific metric: PassMark integer math, where it leads by 1.5% (60462 versus 59543). It also offers DDR4 memory support, which may be relevant for platforms with existing DDR4 infrastructure, and it has a launch MSRP of $211. However, its 6-core, 12-thread configuration on the 10 nm Raptor Lake architecture cannot match the Arrow Lake chip's per-core performance or its larger cache hierarchy. For buyers who prioritize rendering, encryption, physics simulation, or general multi-threaded throughput, the Core Ultra 5 225T is the clear choice based on the recorded data. The Core 5 120 remains a viable option only for users with a strict integer math workload or a need for DDR4 compatibility, but the benchmark evidence shows it trails substantially in every other category.