Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 5 120HL and Intel Core 5 330 target different segments entirely, and the recorded data makes that separation clear. The Core 5 120HL is a Raptor Lake-PS desktop processor with 12 cores, 16 threads, a 2.60 GHz base clock, a 4.70 GHz boost clock, and a 45 W TDP. The Core 5 330 is a Wildcat Lake mobile processor with 6 cores, 6 threads, a 1.50 GHz base clock, a 4.60 GHz boost clock, and a 15 W TDP. For users building a desktop system on Intel Socket 1700, the 120HL is the only option that fits the socket. For users seeking a low-power mobile part with a newer process node, the 330 is the choice. The 330 holds a 72nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the 120HL sits at the 50th percentile, and the 330 has an average benchmark score of 18345. The 120HL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so direct performance comparisons rely entirely on the 330's measured results and its nearest rivals. The data shows that the 330 performs within 0.2% of the Intel Core 7 360 and within 0.1% of the Intel Core i3-14100, confirming it lands in a competitive performance tier. The 120HL offers more cores, more threads, and a higher boost clock, but without recorded measurements, the database cannot confirm how that translates into real-world wins. The 330 delivers measured performance in a 15 W envelope, which is a third of the 120HL's 45 W TDP. The verdict is straightforward: the 120HL suits desktop users who need core count and socket compatibility, while the 330 suits mobile users who need measured performance per watt.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 330 wins in every category where the database has recorded data, simply because the 120HL has no benchmark entries. The 330's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 13150 and single-core score of 1856 provide a concrete baseline. The 330 also wins on process node, using a 3 nm node compared to the 120HL's 10 nm node. The 330 supports LPDDR5X memory and has a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the 120HL supports DDR4 and DDR5 but has no bandwidth figure recorded. The 120HL wins on raw core configuration: 12 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 6 threads. The 120HL also has a larger shared L3 cache at 18 MB versus the 330's 6 MB. The 120HL supports dual-channel memory, while the 330 is single-channel. The 120HL offers 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the 330 offers 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The 120HL uses the Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the 330 uses the Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The 120HL has a higher boost clock at 4.70 GHz versus 4.60 GHz, and a higher base clock at 2.60 GHz versus 1.50 GHz. The 330 wins on efficiency, with a 15 W TDP versus 45 W. The 330 also has a newer release date of 2026-04-15 compared to the 120HL's 2024-04-07. Each processor wins in its own domain: the 120HL for desktop compute resources, the 330 for mobile efficiency and measured performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share Intel as the manufacturer but diverge on nearly every architectural detail. The 120HL uses Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-PS, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The 330 uses Wildcat Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process node, also at Intel's foundry. The process node difference is significant: 3 nm versus 10 nm indicates a much denser transistor design for the 330. The 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads, which implies a hybrid arrangement with some cores lacking hyper-threading, but the database does not specify the exact core type split. The 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading at all. The 120HL's cache layout is per-core L1 at 80 KB per core and per-core L2 at 2 MB per core, with 18 MB of shared L3. The 330's cache layout is a single L1 figure of 192 KB, an L2 of 2.5 MB, and 6 MB of shared L3. The cache designs reflect different philosophies: the 120HL allocates more L3 for shared workloads, while the 330 uses a smaller total cache footprint. Memory support differs as well: the 120HL supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, while the 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. PCIe connectivity differs: the 120HL provides 8 Gen 4 lanes, the 330 provides 6 Gen 4 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the 120HL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, the 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The sockets are incompatible: LGA 1700 for the 120HL versus BGA 1516 for the 330. The 330 is a mobile part, the 120HL is a desktop part. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The 330 has a part number of SAE3G, the 120HL has SRPFR. The 330's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-14100, Intel Core 7 360, Intel Core i3-13100, and Intel Core 3 305, all within 0.2% of its average score, which situates the 330 in a dense performance cluster.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL is built on a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core 5 330 is built on a 3 nm process node. Both are fabricated by Intel.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus. The Intel Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, slightly higher than the Intel Core 5 330's 4.60 GHz boost clock.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 330 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has an average benchmark score of 18345. It is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i3-14100, 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core 3 305, 0.2% behind the Intel Core 7 360, and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i3-13100.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL has a launch MSRP of $279, and the Intel Core 5 330 has a launch MSRP of $309.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for the two processors, and the Intel Core 5 120HL has no individual benchmark scores recorded. The Intel Core 5 330, however, has a full suite of measured results. In Cinebench R23, the 330 scores 13150 in multicore and 1856 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 5523 in multicore and 779 in single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 1325 in multicore and 186 in single-core. In PassMark tests, the 330 delivers a multithread score of 15471 and a single-thread score of 4088. It also records 43885 in floating point math, 33258 in integer math, 12808 in extended instructions, 145287 in data compression, 11076 in data encryption, 17771 in random string sorting, 1201 in physics, and 114 in find prime numbers. These numbers establish the 330 as a capable performer in its class. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-14100, scores 18318 on average, which is 0.1% behind the 330's 18345. The Intel Core 7 360 scores 18374, 0.2% ahead. The Intel Core i3-13100 scores 18380, 0.2% ahead. The Intel Core 3 305 scores 18302, 0.2% behind. This cluster of rivals all within 78 points of each other confirms the 330 sits in a tightly contested performance band. Without any recorded scores for the 120HL, the data cannot show where it would land in this cluster. The 120HL's higher core count and larger L3 cache suggest it could perform well in multicore workloads, but the database does not provide evidence. The 330's single-core results, such as 1856 in Cinebench R23 and 4088 in PassMark single-thread, show that a 4.60 GHz boost clock on a 3 nm node delivers competitive per-thread performance. The 120HL's 4.70 GHz boost clock is only 0.10 GHz higher, so any single-core advantage would be modest at best. The 330's measured wins are the only wins the data supports.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads; the 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The 120HL has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz; the 330 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The 120HL has a TDP of 45 W; the 330 has a TDP of 15 W. The 120HL uses Intel Socket 1700; the 330 uses Intel BGA 1516. The 120HL uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename; the 330 uses Wildcat Lake architecture with the Wildcat Lake codename. The 120HL is built on a 10 nm process node; the 330 is built on a 3 nm process node. The cache layouts differ: the 120HL has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3; the 330 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The 120HL supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus; the 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The 120HL provides 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes; the 330 provides 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The integrated graphics differ: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the 120HL versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) on the 330. The market segments differ: Desktop for the 120HL, Mobile for the 330. The release dates differ: 2024-04-07 for the 120HL versus 2026-04-15 for the 330. The launch MSRP differs: $279 for the 120HL versus $309 for the 330. Both processors are active in production, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. The part numbers are SRPFR for the 120HL and SAE3G for the 330. The 330 has a percentile ranking of 72 and an average benchmark score of 18345; the 120HL has a percentile ranking of 50 and an average benchmark score of 0 due to no recorded benchmarks.