Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221TE is the only processor in this comparison with recorded benchmark data. The database contains no benchmark scores for the Intel Core 5 120HL, meaning the head-to-head comparison is one-sided by necessity. The 221TE delivers a complete set of Cinebench and Passmark results, while the 120HL has an average benchmark score of zero and no recorded tests.

The 221TE produces a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11305 and a single-core score of 1596. In Cinebench R20, it scores 4748 multi-core and 670 single-core. The older Cinebench R15 test shows 1139 multi-core and 160 single-core. These results place the 221TE at the 71st percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 17860.

Looking at the Passmark suite, the 221TE shows strong data compression throughput at 156682, while data encryption scores 8963. Extended instructions reach 9655, floating point math hits 31661, and integer math scores 42303. The multithread score is 13301, physics processing scores 977, random string sorting reaches 16929, and single-thread performance is 1734. The find prime numbers test produces a score of 59.

The nearest rivals for the 221TE provide context for these numbers. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT scores 17891, which is 0.2 percent higher. The Intel Core 5 120U scores 17898, also 0.2 percent higher. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17779, which is 0.5 percent lower. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17994, which is 0.7 percent higher. The 221TE sits within one percentage point of all four rivals, indicating that its overall performance lands in a tightly contested band.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL has 12 cores, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores. Both processors have 16 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The 120HL has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The 221TE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 221TE boosts higher, while the 120HL runs at a faster base speed.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel memory buses. The 221TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the 120HL has no recorded memory bandwidth figure.

Q: Which processor has ECC memory support?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120HL does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The 120HL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The 120HL has integrated graphics with more execution units.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each processor?

A: The 120HL uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The 221TE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The 221TE provides a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core 5 221TE is the only one of the two with measured performance results. Its 71st percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 17860 put it in the same performance class as the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, Intel Core 5 120U, Intel Core 7 350, and AMD Ryzen 5 1600, all within 0.7 percent of its score.

The 221TE also offers several specification advantages. It has a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, a larger shared L3 cache of 24 MB, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. It was released later, on 2025-01-12, compared to the 120HL's 2024-04-07 release.

The 120HL counters with more cores at 12 versus 10, a higher base clock of 2.60 GHz, and a faster integrated graphics solution in Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Its L2 cache is listed at 2 MB per core, which is larger than the 221TE's 1.25 MB per core.

For workloads that depend on measured multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, the 221TE is the only processor in this comparison with recorded evidence of capability. For users who need more physical cores, a higher base clock, or stronger integrated graphics, the 120HL presents those features, but without benchmark confirmation of how they translate into performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, clocks, cache allocation, PCIe support, integrated graphics, ECC support, memory bandwidth recording, die size, release date, and launch MSRP. The 120HL has 12 cores, while the 221TE has 10. Thread counts are identical at 16.

Base clocks are 2.60 GHz for the 120HL and 1.80 GHz for the 221TE. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz for the 120HL and 5.00 GHz for the 221TE. Both run at 45 W TDP and use Intel Socket 1700.

The L1 cache is listed as 80 KB per core for both. The L2 cache differs: 2 MB per core for the 120HL, 1.25 MB per core for the 221TE. The shared L3 cache is 18 MB for the 120HL and 24 MB for the 221TE.

The 120HL uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes, while the 221TE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The 120HL has Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, and the 221TE has UHD Graphics 730. ECC memory is unsupported on the 120HL and supported on the 221TE. The 221TE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the 120HL has none listed.

The 221TE has a die size of 215 mm², while the 120HL has no die size recorded. The 120HL launched on 2024-04-07 with a launch MSRP of $279. The 221TE launched on 2025-01-12 with a launch MSRP of $232.

Architecture Differences

The 120HL is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, belonging to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) generation. The 221TE uses Bartlett Lake architecture with the Bartlett Lake codename, belonging to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process by Intel.

The 120HL has no recorded die size, while the 221TE measures 215 mm². The cache hierarchies differ notably. The 120HL allocates 2 MB of L2 per core, while the 221TE allocates 1.25 MB per core. The 221TE compensates with a larger shared L3 pool of 24 MB compared to 18 MB on the 120HL.

The integrated graphics solutions differ as well. The 120HL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, which reflects the Raptor Lake design. The 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730, a more modest integrated solution. The 221TE adds ECC memory support, which the 120HL lacks. The 221TE also brings PCIe Gen 5 connectivity with 16 lanes, a significant architectural upgrade over the 120HL's PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

The process node is the same at 10 nm for both, and both come from Intel's foundry. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either part. The part numbers differ: SRPFR for the 120HL and SRVQS for the 221TE.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins in every measured benchmark category because it is the only processor with recorded scores. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11305 and single-core score of 1596 establish a baseline for multi-threaded productivity and lightly threaded tasks. The Passmark results reinforce this, with a multithread score of 13301 and a single-thread score of 1734.

The 221TE also wins on platform features. ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-sensitive workloads. PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes provides more bandwidth for expansion devices and storage. The 24 MB shared L3 cache is larger, which can benefit cache-sensitive applications. The higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz gives it an advantage in bursty, single-threaded workloads when the processor can reach maximum frequency.

The Intel Core 5 120HL wins on core count, offering 12 cores compared to 10. This gives it a theoretical advantage in heavily parallel workloads, though no benchmark data confirms this. Its base clock of 2.60 GHz is substantially higher than the 221TE's 1.80 GHz, which could help in sustained all-core loads where boost clocks are not maintained. The L2 cache allocation of 2 MB per core is larger, potentially improving performance for workloads that fit within L2.

The 120HL also has the stronger integrated graphics, Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, which is useful for systems without a discrete GPU. Its 18 MB shared L3 cache is smaller than the 221TE's 24 MB, but the larger per-core L2 may compensate in some scenarios.

The 221TE holds the advantage in overall measured performance, platform connectivity, memory bandwidth, ECC support, and newer release timing. The 120HL holds the advantage in core count, base clock speed, L2 cache per core, and integrated graphics capability. Without benchmark data for the 120HL, the 221TE is the only processor in this comparison with empirical evidence of its performance level.