Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core 5 223PE Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ between the Intel Core 5 120HL and the Intel Core 5 223PE?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 223PE has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both processors support 16 threads, but the 120HL uses more physical cores to achieve that count.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock, and what is the difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120HL boosts to 4.70 GHz. The 223PE holds a 0.50 GHz advantage in maximum boost frequency.

Q: What are the differences in cache configuration?

A: Both processors share the same L1 cache at 80 KB per core and L2 cache at 2 MB per core. The L3 cache differs: the 120HL has 18 MB shared, while the 223PE has 24 MB shared, giving the 223PE 6 MB more L3.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 5, and how many lanes are available?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core 5 120HL is limited to PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE has ECC memory support enabled, while the Intel Core 5 120HL does not support ECC memory. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which processor has a higher database benchmark percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PE ranks in the 87th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 120HL ranks in the 50th percentile. The 223PE sits significantly higher in overall performance distribution.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 120HL and the Intel Core 5 223PE diverge in several fundamental architectural areas despite sharing the same Intel Socket 1700 platform and a 10 nm process node from Intel.

The 120HL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename. It carries 12 cores and 16 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration where not all cores contribute equally to thread count. The base clock sits at 2.60 GHz with a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Its L3 cache is 18 MB shared, and the integrated graphics solution is Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.

The 223PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, with the database listing its architecture as null but identifying the generation as Core 5 (Bartlett Lake). This processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, meaning all cores support simultaneous multithreading. The base clock is 2.90 GHz, and the boost clock reaches 5.20 GHz. L3 cache expands to 24 MB shared. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730.

Process node is identical at 10 nm for both, and both use Intel as the foundry. The memory support is also the same on paper: DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel. However, the 223PE lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not recorded for the 120HL. ECC memory support is present on the 223PE but absent on the 120HL.

PCIe capability differs substantially. The 120HL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the 223PE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This doubles the lane count and moves to the newer generation, which matters for expansion and storage bandwidth.

The 120HL has a 45 W TDP, while the 223PE has a 65 W TDP. The 223PE uses more power but delivers higher clock speeds and a larger L3 cache. Both have locked multipliers, so overclocking is not available through the multiplier.

Release timing also differs. The 120HL launched on 2024-04-07, while the 223PE launched on 2026-03-08, nearly two years later. The part numbers are SRPFR for the 120HL and SA4QF for the 223PE.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core 5 223PE for raw performance. Its 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs versus the 120HL's 50th percentile places it in a different performance tier. The recorded benchmark scores for the 223PE show strong multi-threaded and single-threaded results, while the 120HL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database.

The 223PE delivers higher boost clocks, more L3 cache, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, ECC memory support, and a newer release date. It also has a higher TDP at 65 W versus 45 W, which reflects its more aggressive performance profile.

The 120HL offers more physical cores at 12 versus 8, and it integrates Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, which is a more capable integrated GPU than the UHD Graphics 730 in the 223PE. The 120HL also carries a lower TDP, making it a fit for power-constrained builds.

For users prioritizing CPU compute, the 223PE is the choice. For users who need more physical cores or stronger integrated graphics, the 120HL has specific advantages. The 223PE's benchmark data and percentile position make it the stronger overall processor in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following specification fields:

• Cores: 12 (120HL) versus 8 (223PE)
• Base Clock: 2.60 GHz (120HL) versus 2.90 GHz (223PE)
• Boost Clock: 4.70 GHz (120HL) versus 5.20 GHz (223PE)
• TDP: 45 W (120HL) versus 65 W (223PE)
• Codename: Raptor Lake-PS (120HL) versus Bartlett Lake (223PE)
• Generation: Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) versus Core 5 (Bartlett Lake)
• L3 Cache: 18 MB shared (120HL) versus 24 MB shared (223PE)
• Memory Bandwidth: not recorded (120HL) versus 89.6 GB/s (223PE)
• ECC Memory: false (120HL) versus true (223PE)
• PCIe: Gen 4, 8 Lanes (120HL) versus Gen 5, 16 Lanes (223PE)
• Integrated Graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (120HL) versus UHD Graphics 730 (223PE)
• Release Date: 2024-04-07 (120HL) versus 2026-03-08 (223PE)
• Launch MSRP: $279 (120HL) versus $232 (223PE)
• Part Number: SRPFR (120HL) versus SA4QF (223PE)

Both share the same Intel Socket 1700, 10 nm process node, Intel foundry, L1 cache at 80 KB per core, L2 cache at 2 MB per core, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 16 threads, and locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for this pairing. However, the Intel Core 5 223PE has a full set of recorded benchmark scores, while the Intel Core 5 120HL has none. This asymmetry means the comparison relies entirely on the 223PE's measured results and the 120HL's listed specifications.

The 223PE's Cinebench scores show strong performance across versions. In Cinebench R15, it scores 2666 multi-core and 376 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 11111 multi-core and 1568 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 26455 multi-core and 3734 single-core. These numbers demonstrate a processor that handles both heavily threaded workloads and lightly threaded tasks well.

PassMark results for the 223PE reinforce this profile. The multi-thread score is 31124, and the single-thread score is 4219. Floating point math scores 76468, integer math scores 99819, and extended instructions score 24672. Data compression scores 346623, data encryption scores 18448, random string sorting scores 35798, and finding prime numbers scores 159. Physics performance scores 2493.

Because the 120HL has no recorded benchmark scores, the database cannot show a direct head-to-head comparison. The 223PE's nearest rivals provide context for its standing. The Intel Core 7 253PE has an average score of 40557, a delta of 0.1% relative to the 223PE. The Intel Xeon 6357P averages 40630, a delta of -0.1%. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H averages 40518, a delta of 0.2%. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G averages 40718, a delta of -0.3%. These deltas show the 223PE sits within a tight cluster around 40500 to 40700 average score, with all rivals within 0.3% of its performance.

The 223PE's average benchmark score is 40585. The 120HL's average benchmark score is 0 because no benchmarks are recorded. The percentile difference is stark: 87th versus 50th.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 223PE wins in most performance categories based on the recorded data. Its benchmark scores show strong multi-threaded performance, with Cinebench R23 multi-core at 26455 and PassMark multi-thread at 31124. Single-thread performance is also high, with Cinebench R23 single-core at 3734 and PassMark single-thread at 4219. The 223PE also wins on boost clock at 5.20 GHz, L3 cache at 24 MB, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, ECC memory support, and memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s. Its 87th percentile ranking versus the 120HL's 50th percentile confirms its dominant position in the database.

The Intel Core 5 120HL wins in specific areas where its specifications give it an edge. It has 12 cores versus 8, which can benefit workloads that scale with physical core count even when thread counts are equal. Its integrated graphics, Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, is a more capable GPU solution than the UHD Graphics 730 found in the 223PE. The 120HL also has a lower TDP at 45 W versus 65 W, making it more power-efficient under load. For builds that rely on the integrated GPU or that have strict power limits, the 120HL holds advantages.

The 223PE is the processor for compute-heavy tasks: rendering, encoding, compilation, and any workload that uses the full thread count at high clock speeds. Its PCIe Gen 5 support with 16 lanes also makes it the better match for high-bandwidth expansion cards and storage.

The 120HL is the processor for systems where physical core count matters more than clock speed, where integrated graphics quality is a factor, or where power consumption needs to stay lower. Its 45 W TDP and 12 cores make it a reasonable choice for compact or thermally constrained desktop builds.

The database shows no recorded wins for either processor in head-to-head benchmarks, but the 223PE's extensive benchmark data and 87th percentile ranking indicate it is the faster chip overall. The 120HL's role is more specialized, trading raw compute for more cores, better integrated graphics, and lower power draw.