Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 9 273PQE is the clear performance leader across every recorded benchmark in the database. The Core 5 120HL has no benchmark entries available, so all comparisons rely on the Core 9's measured results and architectural specifications.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 9 273PQE scores 3950 points. Its single-core result in the same test reaches 557 points. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score jumps to 16459, while single-core lands at 2323. The R23 run shows the largest multi-core figure at 39190, with single-core at 5532. These results place the Core 9 in the 93rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, a strong indicator of top-tier performance.

The Passmark suite reinforces this position. The Core 9 273PQE records 46107 in multithread and 4573 in single-thread tests. Data compression reaches 585752, data encryption hits 29636, and extended instructions score 38743. Integer math produces 164629, floating-point math reaches 125546, and prime number finding scores 198. Random string sorting records 53167, and physics processing lands at 2754.

The Core 5 120HL, by contrast, has no recorded benchmark scores. Its average benchmark score is 0, and it holds a 50th percentile position. This means the database has no direct measurement of its performance in any test. The only comparison points come from the Core 9's specifications, which show higher clocks, more threads, and larger cache.

The Core 9 273PQE's average benchmark score of 66099 places it in close competition with several rivals. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 66159, a delta of -0.1% relative to the Core 9. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D scores 65914, a delta of 0.3%. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 66855, a delta of -1.1%. The AMD EPYC 4465P scores 66925, a delta of -1.2%. These narrow margins indicate the Core 9 sits within a highly competitive performance cluster.

The Core 5 120HL has no nearest rivals listed, and its wins column shows 0. The Core 9 also shows 0 wins in the head-to-head section, but this is because no direct benchmark comparisons were recorded between the two processors.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core 9 273PQE for any workload where measured performance matters. With a 93rd percentile ranking and an average benchmark score of 66099, it delivers substantial multi-threaded capability. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a boost clock of 5.90 GHz, position it as a high-end desktop processor.

The Intel Core 5 120HL, with its 12 cores and 16 threads, boost clock of 4.70 GHz, and 50th percentile ranking, occupies a mid-range position. Without any recorded benchmarks, the database cannot confirm its real-world performance, but its specifications suggest a more modest capability profile.

Users who require maximum throughput in rendering, encoding, or data processing should choose the Core 9 273PQE. The Core 5 120HL might appeal to those who need a lower-power option, as its 45 W TDP is significantly below the Core 9's 125 W TDP. However, the Core 5's lack of benchmark data means its actual performance remains unverified.

The Core 9 also offers ECC memory support, a feature the Core 5 lacks. For workstation environments where data integrity is critical, this is a meaningful advantage. The Core 9's PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 lanes further supports high-bandwidth expansion, while the Core 5 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins in every category where performance is measured. Its multi-threaded results in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 demonstrate strong scaling across 24 threads. Passmark's multithread score of 46107 and data compression score of 585752 confirm its capability for parallel workloads.

Single-thread performance also favors the Core 9. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5532 and Passmark single-thread score of 4573 indicate high clock speeds are effective. The 5.90 GHz boost clock is the highest recorded in this comparison.

The Core 5 120HL wins only in power efficiency on paper. Its 45 W TDP is less than half the Core 9's 125 W TDP. This could translate to lower cooling requirements and quieter operation in compact systems. The Core 5 also uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Core 9 uses UHD Graphics 770, but neither integrated solution is benchmarked here.

For memory bandwidth, the Core 9 records 89.6 GB/s, a feature absent from the Core 5's specifications. This gives the Core 9 an advantage in memory-intensive tasks. The Core 9's larger 36 MB L3 cache, versus 18 MB on the Core 5, further supports data-heavy workloads.

The Core 5's launch MSRP is $279, while the Core 9's is $589. This price difference is notable, but the performance gap in the database is much larger in favor of the Core 9.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120HL has 16 threads. Both have 12 cores.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Core 9 273PQE boosts up to 5.90 GHz, while the Core 5 120HL boosts up to 4.70 GHz. The Core 9 is 1.20 GHz higher.

Q: Does the Core 5 120HL have any recorded benchmark scores?

A: No. The database contains no benchmark entries for the Core 5 120HL. Its average benchmark score is 0, and its percentile ranking is 50.

Q: What is the Core 9 273PQE's average benchmark score?

A: The Core 9 273PQE has an average benchmark score of 66099, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120HL does not.

Q: What PCIe generation does each processor use?

A: The Core 9 273PQE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 120HL uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The Intel Core 5 120HL is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS codename. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses Bartlett Lake architecture. Both are built on a 10 nm process node by Intel's foundry.

Core counts are identical at 12, but thread counts differ significantly. The Core 5 120HL has 16 threads, indicating 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores with hyper-threading on the performance side. The Core 9 273PQE has 24 threads, suggesting all 12 cores support hyper-threading.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, differs: the Core 5 has 18 MB shared, while the Core 9 has 36 MB shared. This doubles the last-level cache for the Core 9.

Base and boost clocks favor the Core 9 substantially. The Core 5 runs at 2.60 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The Core 9 runs at 3.40 GHz base and 5.90 GHz boost. The Core 9's higher base clock alone exceeds the Core 5's boost clock by 0.80 GHz.

Power envelopes differ by a wide margin. The Core 5 has a 45 W TDP, while the Core 9 has a 125 W TDP. This reflects the Core 9's higher clock speeds and additional thread support, which demand more power.

Memory support is similar on the surface: both accept DDR4 and DDR5, and both use dual-channel memory buses. The Core 9 records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Core 5. The Core 9 also supports ECC memory, adding reliability features absent from the Core 5.

PCIe connectivity shows a generational gap. The Core 5 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Core 9 uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This doubles lane count and doubles per-lane bandwidth potential.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Core 9 includes UHD Graphics 770. Neither is benchmarked in this database, so performance comparisons are not possible.

Both processors use Intel Socket 1700 and are classified as desktop segments. Both are currently active in production. The Core 5 launched on 2024-04-07, while the Core 9 launched on 2026-03-08. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Core 9's launch MSRP is $589, and the Core 5's launch MSRP is $279. Both are locked parts, meaning overclocking is not supported. The Core 9's part number is SA4Q9, and the Core 5's is SRPFR.