Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Xeon D-2752TER Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Core 5 120 wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Xeon D-2752TER takes 7. However, the margin of victory tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the Core 5 120 dominates across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 1840 against the Xeon's 1634, a delta of -11.2% from the Xeon's perspective. The pattern holds through every Cinebench iteration: R20 multicore shows 7667 versus 6809, and R23 multicore shows 18255 versus 16212 — each with the same -11.2% delta. Single-core results are equally lopsided. The Core 5 120 posts 259 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 230, 1082 versus 960 in R20, and 2577 versus 2288 in R23. These are not marginal differences; the Core 5 120 maintains a consistent 11% advantage across all six Cinebench tests.

The Passmark suite reveals where the Xeon fights back. The most dramatic Xeon victory comes in random string sorting, where it scores 31802 against the Core 5 120's 21499 — a 47.9% advantage. Physics testing also favors the Xeon heavily, with 1777 versus 1333, a 33.3% delta. Data encryption shows a 17.7% Xeon lead (13097 versus 11131), and prime number finding gives the Xeon a 24.7% edge (96 versus 77). Data compression goes to the Xeon by a narrower 3.7% margin (227763 versus 219535), and integer math is nearly a tie, with the Xeon ahead by just 0.7% (60881 versus 60462). The multithread Passmark score also goes to the Xeon, 19102 versus 18597, a 2.7% lead.

The Core 5 120's biggest win in the Passmark suite is single-thread performance. It posts 3595 against the Xeon's 1990 — a massive 44.6% delta. Floating point math also goes decisively to the Core 5 120, with 45383 versus 33533, a 26.1% advantage. Extended instructions favor the Core 5 120 by a modest 2.9% (14264 versus 13846).

What emerges is a pattern: the Core 5 120 excels in single-threaded and floating-point workloads, while the Xeon dominates in memory-intensive and encryption-heavy tasks. The average benchmark scores reflect this near-parity overall — the Xeon averages 25530, while the Core 5 120 averages 25362. The Xeon's percentile ranking sits at 78 versus the Core 5 120's 77, a negligible difference in the broader CPU landscape.

The Verdict

The data points to two different use cases rather than a single winner. The Intel Core 5 120 is the choice for workloads that rely on high clock speeds and strong single-thread performance. Its 44.6% lead in Passmark single-thread testing and consistent 11% advantage across Cinebench make it the superior option for interactive applications, most desktop software, and any task that cannot fully utilize many cores.

The Intel Xeon D-2752TER is the pick for server-style workloads that stress memory bandwidth, encryption, and multi-threaded throughput. Its 47.9% advantage in random string sorting and 33.3% lead in physics suggest strong memory subsystem performance. The 17.7% encryption win indicates hardware acceleration benefits. For tasks like data compression, prime number calculation, and integer math, the Xeon holds an edge, albeit smaller.

Benchmark results indicate the Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads provide a foundation for parallel workloads, while the Core 5 120's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 2.80 GHz drives its single-thread dominance. The Xeon's quad-channel memory bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth likely explain its sorting and physics advantages. The Core 5 120's dual-channel configuration and lack of listed memory bandwidth figure in the data makes direct comparison difficult, but the Xeon clearly excels where memory throughput matters.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture families. The Xeon D-2752TER uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-D variant, built on a 10 nm process. The Core 5 120 uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R variant, also on a 10 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Core counts differ substantially. The Xeon packs 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Core 5 120 offers 6 cores and 12 threads. This means the Xeon has exactly double the core and thread count. Cache configurations are also distinct. Both share identical L1 cache at 80 KB per core and identical L2 at 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache differs slightly: the Xeon has 20 MB shared, while the Core 5 120 has 18 MB shared.

Memory support diverges significantly. The Xeon supports only DDR4 memory in a quad-channel configuration, with a specified memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with no memory bandwidth figure listed in the data. ECC memory is supported by the Xeon but not by the Core 5 120.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The Xeon offers PCIe Gen 4 with 32 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 120 provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 120 includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics listed. The Xeon targets the server/workstation segment with a BGA 2579 socket, while the Core 5 120 targets desktop with Socket 1700.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-2752TER | Intel Core 5 120 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1800.00 MHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.80 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2579 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Ice Lake-D | Raptor Lake-R |

| Die Size | Not listed | 163 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 85.3 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 32 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2022-02-23 | 2025-07-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $1061 | $211 |

| Part Number | SRLCNSRM27 | SA35V |

The release dates show the Xeon launched in February 2022, while the Core 5 120 arrived in July 2025, over three years later. Both remain in active production. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon D-2752TER has 12 cores and 24 threads, exactly double the 6 cores and 12 threads of the Intel Core 5 120.

Q: Why does the Core 5 120 win single-thread benchmarks by such a large margin?

A: The Core 5 120 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz compared to the Xeon's 2.80 GHz. In Passmark single-thread testing, the Core 5 120 scores 3595 versus 1990, a 44.6% advantage.

Q: Where does the Xeon D-2752TER show its biggest advantage?

A: The Xeon's largest win is in Passmark random string sorting, scoring 31802 against the Core 5 120's 21499, a 47.9% lead. It also wins physics testing by 33.3% and data encryption by 17.7%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon D-2752TER supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 120 does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Xeon D-2752TER has a specified memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s with quad-channel DDR4 support. The Core 5 120 has dual-channel support for DDR4 and DDR5, but no memory bandwidth figure is listed in the data.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730. The Intel Xeon D-2752TER has no integrated graphics listed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-2752TER wins in server and workstation scenarios. Its 12 cores and 24 threads make it suitable for heavily parallel workloads. The 47.9% advantage in random string sorting and 33.3% lead in physics suggest strong memory performance, likely stemming from the quad-channel 85.3 GB/s memory bus. The 17.7% encryption win and 24.7% prime number advantage indicate computational strength in specialized tasks. ECC memory support is critical for data integrity in server environments. The 77 W TDP is modest for a server processor, and the BGA 2579 socket targets embedded and compact server designs. The Xeon's 2.7% multithread win and 3.7% data compression advantage round out its profile as a throughput-oriented chip.

The Intel Core 5 120 wins in desktop and consumer scenarios. Its 44.6% single-thread lead makes it the clear choice for applications that depend on one or a few fast cores. The 26.1% floating point advantage suggests strength in scientific and multimedia workloads. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes provides modern connectivity for desktop components. The dual-channel memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 offers flexibility in system building. The 65 W TDP is lower than the Xeon's 77 W, and the Socket 1700 platform is mainstream desktop territory. The consistent 11% Cinebench wins across all versions indicate reliable multi-core performance for desktop tasks, despite having half the cores of the Xeon.

The average benchmark scores tell the final story: 25530 for the Xeon versus 25362 for the Core 5 120, a difference of less than 1%. These are closely matched processors in overall capability, but they achieve similar averages through very different means. The Xeon spreads its performance across many cores and memory-intensive operations, while the Core 5 120 concentrates its strength in fewer, faster cores with superior single-thread execution.