Intel Core 5 120 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-88-100 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 and Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-88-100 occupy entirely different segments of the processor market, and the recorded benchmark data reflects this split. The Intel part is a desktop-focused chip with a full suite of 17 benchmark scores across Cinebench and Passmark workloads. The Qualcomm part, by contrast, has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, which means its competitive positioning cannot be quantified through direct measurements.

The Core 5 120 delivers its strongest results in multi-threaded productivity workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 18255 places it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database. The Passmark multithread score of 18597 reinforces this pattern, showing sustained throughput across parallel workloads. Single-thread performance is also respectable, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2577 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3595.

The Snapdragon X2E-88-100, while lacking benchmark data, is positioned as a mobile processor with 18 cores and 18 threads. Its architecture uses a 3 nm process from TSMC, which suggests a design focus on power efficiency for portable devices. The absence of scores means the database cannot confirm where it wins or loses against any competitor, including the Core 5 120.

What the data does show is that the Core 5 120's average benchmark score of 25362 sits within a tight cluster of rivals. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D scores 25365, a delta of 0 percent. The Intel Core i5-13400F scores 25292, a delta of 0.3 percent. The Intel Core i7-11700KF scores 25423, a delta of -0.2 percent. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U scores 25432, a delta of -0.3 percent. This places the Core 5 120 in a competitive band where differences of less than 1 percent separate it from its nearest rivals.

For the Snapdragon, the percentile rank of 50 with an average score of 0 indicates that no benchmark results have been recorded. Without measurements, the database cannot establish a performance profile, and any claims about its wins would be speculative.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their design philosophies. The Intel Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Snapdragon X2E-88-100 uses the Glymur codename with a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. The process node difference is significant: the Intel chip uses a 10 nm node, while the Qualcomm chip uses a 3 nm node, which typically allows for higher transistor density and improved power efficiency.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads, indicating Hyper-Threading support. The Snapdragon X2E-88-100 has 18 cores and 18 threads, suggesting a design without simultaneous multithreading. The base clock on the Intel part is 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Snapdragon has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, giving it higher clock speeds at both ends of the frequency range.

Cache hierarchies reflect different approaches. The Intel part uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Snapdragon uses 288 KB of L1 cache per core and 16 MB of L2 cache per module, with no L3 cache listed. The die sizes also differ, with the Intel chip at 163 mm² and the Qualcomm chip at 220 mm².

Memory support separates the two clearly. The Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Snapdragon supports LPDDR5X memory with a recorded memory bandwidth of 152.4 GB/s, also in a dual-channel configuration. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ as well: the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Snapdragon provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Snapdragon includes Adreno X2-90. The market segments reflect their intended use: the Core 5 120 is a desktop processor, while the Snapdragon is a mobile processor. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $211, while the Snapdragon has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-88-100 has 18 cores and 18 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What clock speeds does each processor offer?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-88-100 has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-88-100 is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core 5 120 uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-88-100 supports LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 152.4 GB/s.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 120 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core 5 120 has an average benchmark score of 25362. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D scores 25365 (0 percent delta), the Intel Core i7-11700KF scores 25423 (-0.2 percent), the Intel Core i5-13400F scores 25292 (0.3 percent), and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U scores 25432 (-0.3 percent).

Q: Are there benchmark results for the Snapdragon X2E-88-100?

A: No. The database contains no recorded benchmark scores for the Snapdragon X2E-88-100, and its average benchmark score is 0.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Core 5 120 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-88-100:

• Cores: 6 (Intel) vs 18 (Qualcomm)
• Threads: 12 (Intel) vs 18 (Qualcomm)
• Base clock: 2.50 GHz (Intel) vs 4.00 GHz (Qualcomm)
• Boost clock: 4.50 GHz (Intel) vs 4.70 GHz (Qualcomm)
• TDP: 65 (Intel) vs null (Qualcomm)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 (Intel) vs Qualcomm BGA 2343 (Qualcomm)
• Codename: Raptor Lake-R (Intel) vs Glymur (Qualcomm)
• Generation: Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) (Intel) vs Snapdragon X2 (Elite) (Qualcomm)
• Process node: 10 nm (Intel) vs 3 nm (Qualcomm)
• Foundry: Intel (Intel) vs TSMC (Qualcomm)
• Die size: 163 mm² (Intel) vs 220 mm² (Qualcomm)
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core (Intel) vs 288 KB per core (Qualcomm)
• L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core (Intel) vs 16 MB per module (Qualcomm)
• L3 cache: 18 MB shared (Intel) vs null (Qualcomm)
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 (Intel) vs LPDDR5X (Qualcomm)
• Memory bandwidth: null (Intel) vs 152.4 GB/s (Qualcomm)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 16 Lanes CPU only (Intel) vs Gen 5, 12 Lanes CPU only (Qualcomm)
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 (Intel) vs Adreno X2-90 (Qualcomm)
• Market segment: Desktop (Intel) vs Mobile (Qualcomm)
• Release date: 2025-07-30 (Intel) vs 2026-04-05 (Qualcomm)
• Launch MSRP: $211 (Intel) vs null (Qualcomm)
• Part number: SA35V (Intel) vs X2E88100 (Qualcomm)

Fields that are shared include ECC memory support (false for both), multiplier lock status (not unlocked for both), and production status (Active for both).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the Intel Core 5 120 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-88-100. The wins counter shows 0 for both processors, and the head-to-head benchmark array is empty. This means no direct measurements exist to compare the two in the same workload.

For the Intel Core 5 120, the available scores provide a full performance picture. The Cinebench R15 multicore score is 1840, with a single-core score of 259. The Cinebench R20 multicore score is 7667, with a single-core score of 1082. The Cinebench R23 multicore score is 18255, with a single-core score of 2577. Passmark results include data compression at 219535, data encryption at 11131, extended instructions at 14264, find prime numbers at 77, floating point math at 45383, integer math at 60462, multithread at 18597, physics at 1333, random string sorting at 21499, and single thread at 3595.

These scores place the Core 5 120 in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 25362 sits within 0.3 percent of its nearest rivals in either direction. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D matches at 25365 with a 0 percent delta. The Intel Core i5-13400F trails slightly at 25292 with a 0.3 percent delta. The Intel Core i7-11700KF leads slightly at 25423 with a -0.2 percent delta. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U leads marginally at 25432 with a -0.3 percent delta.

The Snapdragon X2E-88-100 has no benchmark scores, no average score, and no nearest rivals in the database. Its percentile rank of 50 is the default value for processors without recorded measurements. The database therefore cannot confirm any performance relationship between these two processors, and the head-to-head comparison remains unresolved.