Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison
Intel Core 5 120
Core Ultra 5 336H
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H
The Verdict
The recorded data positions the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H as the clear performance leader across every measured benchmark. The Core Ultra 5 336H wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, with its average benchmark score of 34485 placing it 35.9% above the Intel Core 5 120's 25362 average. The Core Ultra 5 336H also holds a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs at 84, compared to 77 for the Core 5 120.
The Intel Core 5 120 remains a relevant desktop option for users constrained to the Intel Socket 1700 platform. Its benchmark results place it within 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-13400F and 0.2% below the Intel Core i7-11700KF, making it competitive within its desktop segment. However, the data shows no workload category where the Core 5 120 outperforms the Core Ultra 5 336H.
The Core Ultra 5 336H targets mobile systems with its 25 W TDP and BGA 2540 socket, while the Core 5 120 targets desktop builds with a 65 W TDP and LGA 1700 socket. Buyers should select based on platform needs first: desktop users with Socket 1700 boards choose the Core 5 120, while mobile users or those building around the newer Panther Lake platform choose the Core Ultra 5 336H. From a pure performance standpoint, the Core Ultra 5 336H delivers superior results in every recorded test.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Intel Core 5 120 uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 336H uses Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake-H codename, fabricated on a 3 nm process at Intel's foundry. This process node difference contributes to the Core Ultra 5 336H's efficiency profile, reflected in its 25 W TDP versus the Core 5 120's 65 W TDP.
Core configuration differs substantially. The Core 5 120 provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 336H provides 16 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 5 336H has more physical cores but does not use simultaneous multithreading, matching its thread count to its core count. The Core 5 120 relies on hyperthreading to reach 12 threads from 6 cores.
Cache hierarchy reveals further differences. The Core 5 120 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core Ultra 5 336H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core. Both share 18 MB of L3 cache.
The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 336H includes Intel Xe3 Graphics. Memory support varies: the Core 5 120 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 336H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Core Ultra 5 336H has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Core 5 120.
PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 5 120 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 336H offers Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Core Ultra 5 336H dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 23991 against 18255 for the Core 5 120, a 23.9% advantage. The single-core R23 result shows 3387 versus 2577, also a 23.9% gap. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (10076 versus 7667), R20 single-core (1422 versus 1082), R15 multi-core (2418 versus 1840), and R15 single-core (341 versus 259). Every Cinebench delta sits at 23.9% or 24%, indicating consistent per-clock and per-core improvements rather than workload-specific effects.
PassMark results show wider variation. The largest margin appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 336H scores 299 against 77, a 74.2% advantage. This test benefits heavily from the Core Ultra 5 336H's additional cores and newer architecture. PassMark physics shows a 50.3% gap (2682 versus 1333), and PassMark data encryption shows a 47.7% gap (21291 versus 11131). PassMark floating point math delivers 82415 versus 45383, a 44.9% difference. Extended instructions show 24542 versus 14264, a 41.9% gap.
The narrowest margin comes in PassMark integer math, where the Core Ultra 5 336H scores 62070 versus 60462, just 2.6% ahead. This suggests integer-heavy integer math throughput is less sensitive to the architectural and core-count differences. PassMark single-thread shows 4013 versus 3595, a 10.4% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 336H, a more modest gain than the Cinebench single-core results. PassMark multi-thread shows 28545 versus 18597, a 34.9% gap. Data compression scores 280340 versus 219535, a 21.7% gap, and random string sorting scores 34402 versus 21499, a 37.5% gap.
The benchmark data indicates the Core Ultra 5 336H's advantages stem from both higher single-core performance and substantially better multi-core scaling. Its single-thread PassMark score leads by 10.4%, while multi-thread workloads lead by 34.9% or more in most tests. The Prime number and physics tests amplify the core-count advantage, while integer math shows that both processors reach similar throughput when the workload scales across available execution resources.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads; the Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the Core 5 120 and 1.90 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 336H. Boost clocks are close, with the Core 5 120 at 4.50 GHz and the Core Ultra 5 336H at 4.60 GHz.
TDP differs significantly: 65 W for the Core 5 120 versus 25 W for the Core Ultra 5 336H. This reflects the desktop versus mobile market segmentation. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 5 120, Intel BGA 2540 for the Core Ultra 5 336H. The process node is 10 nm for the Core 5 120 and 3 nm for the Core Ultra 5 336H. The Core 5 120 has a listed die size of 163 mm², while the Core Ultra 5 336H has no die size recorded.
Cache per core differs: L1 is 80 KB per core on the Core 5 120 versus 192 KB per core on the Core Ultra 5 336H. L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core. L3 is 18 MB shared on both. Memory support differs: DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 5 120, DDR5 and LPDDR5X for the Core Ultra 5 336H. The Core Ultra 5 336H records 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth; the Core 5 120 has no bandwidth figure listed. PCIe lanes differ: 16 lanes for the Core 5 120, 12 lanes for the Core Ultra 5 336H, both Gen 5.
Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 120, Intel Xe3 Graphics on the Core Ultra 5 336H. Market segments are Desktop for the Core 5 120 and Mobile for the Core Ultra 5 336H. The Core 5 120 has a launch MSRP of $211. The Core Ultra 5 336H has no launch MSRP recorded. Both are Active in production status, both have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC. Release dates differ: 2025-07-30 for the Core 5 120, 2026-01-04 for the Core Ultra 5 336H. Part numbers are SA35V and SA4RD respectively.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.
Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core?
A: The Core Ultra 5 336H scores 23991 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, compared to 18255 for the Core 5 120. This represents a 23.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 336H.
Q: Do the processors use the same process node?
A: No. The Core 5 120 uses a 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 336H uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by Intel.
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The Core Ultra 5 336H has a 4.60 GHz boost clock, slightly higher than the Core 5 120's 4.50 GHz boost clock.
Q: What is the smallest performance difference between the two in any recorded benchmark?
A: The smallest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the Core Ultra 5 336H scores 62070 versus 60462 for the Core 5 120, a 2.6% difference.
Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?
A: No. Both the Core 5 120 and the Core Ultra 5 336H have locked multipliers.
Q: What memory types does each processor support?
A: The Core 5 120 supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 336H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses.
Q: How do the processors compare in PassMark single-thread performance?
A: The Core Ultra 5 336H scores 4013 in PassMark single-thread, compared to 3595 for the Core 5 120. The Core Ultra 5 336H leads by 10.4%.