Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

Intel Core 5 120HL and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T occupy different tiers of the desktop processor market, and the benchmark data confirms a clear separation in capability. The Core Ultra 5 225T holds the overall performance advantage, ranking in the 82nd percentile among all CPUs, while the Core 5 120HL sits at the 50th percentile. The Core Ultra 5 225T delivers an average benchmark score of 30,468, placing it just 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i9-11980HK and 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS, while also edging out the AMD Ryzen 7 7736U by 0.3%. The Core 5 120HL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so its measured performance cannot be directly quantified, but its architectural specifications and market positioning suggest a different purpose. The data indicates that the Core Ultra 5 225T is the stronger processor for sustained multi-threaded workloads, while the Core 5 120HL offers a higher core count and a more established platform.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 225T wins in every measured benchmark category where data exists. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21,971 demonstrates substantial throughput for heavily threaded applications, and its single-core score of 3,101 shows strong per-thread performance. PassMark results reinforce this dominance: the Core Ultra 5 225T scores 25,358 in multi-thread testing, 4,348 in single-thread testing, 82,751 in floating point math, and 59,543 in integer math. These numbers establish it as a capable processor for content creation, scientific computing, and general productivity workloads.

The Core 5 120HL has no recorded benchmarks in the database, so it cannot be credited with any measured wins. Its potential advantage lies in its configuration rather than its recorded output. With 12 cores and 16 threads, it provides more parallel execution resources on paper than the Core Ultra 5 225T, which has 10 cores and 10 threads. This could translate to an advantage in workloads that scale with core count, but without benchmark data, this remains speculative. The Core 5 120HL also supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, which may appeal to users upgrading from older platforms with existing DDR4 modules. The Core Ultra 5 225T, by contrast, supports DDR5 exclusively, with a measured memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The Core 5 120HL uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS variant, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arrow Lake architecture, specifically the Arrow Lake-S variant, built on TSMC's 3 nm process node. This process difference is significant, as the 3 nm node allows for higher transistor density and improved power efficiency. The Core Ultra 5 225T contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 5 120HL has no transistor count or die size recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core 5 120HL has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 225T has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 5 225T provide more data locality per thread, which helps with single-threaded responsiveness and memory-intensive workloads.

Platform support also diverges. The Core 5 120HL uses Intel Socket 1700 and supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 5 225T uses Intel Socket 1851 and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The newer socket and PCIe generation give the Core Ultra 5 225T more expansion bandwidth for discrete GPUs and NVMe storage. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 5 120HL uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. The Core 5 120HL has a higher EU count, which may provide better integrated graphics performance for basic display output and light media tasks.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option on either. The Core 5 120HL has a release date of April 7, 2024, and a launch MSRP of $279. The Core Ultra 5 225T has a release date of December 31, 2024, and no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data points to the Core Ultra 5 225T as the superior processor for nearly all measured workloads. Its benchmark scores, particularly the Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 21,971 and the PassMark multi-thread score of 25,358, place it firmly ahead of the Core 5 120HL in the absence of any recorded benchmark data for the latter. The Core Ultra 5 225T also benefits from a newer manufacturing process, larger caches, faster memory support, and more PCIe lanes, all of which contribute to its higher performance ceiling and platform longevity.

The Core 5 120HL has its own merits, primarily its higher core and thread count, which could benefit multi-threaded workloads that scale linearly. Its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory makes it a flexible option for users with existing memory modules. Its integrated graphics, with 80 execution units, may outperform the Core Ultra 5 225T's 16 EU implementation in graphics tasks, though no benchmark data confirms this.

For users prioritizing raw performance, the Core Ultra 5 225T is the clear choice. For users who need more cores for parallel workloads or who want to reuse DDR4 memory, the Core 5 120HL offers a viable alternative, but the lack of benchmark data means its actual performance remains unverified.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21,971 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 25,358 in PassMark multi-thread. The Core 5 120HL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database.

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 225T compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T has an average benchmark score of 30,468, which is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core i9-11980HK, 0.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS, and 0.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 7736U. It trails the Intel Core i5-13600H by 0.3%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Core 5 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads.

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: The Core 5 120HL supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 only, with a measured memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Q: What socket does each processor use?

A: The Core 5 120HL uses Intel Socket 1700. The Core Ultra 5 225T uses Intel Socket 1851.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Core 5 120HL has 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons are not available in the database, as the Core 5 120HL has no recorded test results. The Core Ultra 5 225T, however, provides a full suite of scores that illustrate its performance profile. In Cinebench R15, it scores 2,214 in multi-core and 312 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 9,227 in multi-core and 1,302 in single-core. The Cinebench R23 results of 21,971 multi-core and 3,101 single-core represent its strongest rendered workload performance.

PassMark results for the Core Ultra 5 225T show a broad range of capabilities. Data compression scores 233,998, data encryption scores 18,289, and extended instructions score 20,083. Prime number finding scores 284, floating point math scores 82,751, and integer math scores 59,543. Random string sorting scores 28,774, and physics scores 2,053. The single-thread score of 4,348 appears twice in the database, once under the field name "passmark_single_thread" and once under "passmark_singlethread," confirming the same result.

Without any recorded benchmarks for the Core 5 120HL, the comparison relies on specifications. The Core 5 120HL's 12 cores and 16 threads exceed the Core Ultra 5 225T's 10 cores and 10 threads, but the Core Ultra 5 225T compensates with higher boost clocks, a more advanced process node, and larger caches. The Core Ultra 5 225T boosts to 4.90 GHz compared to the Core 5 120HL's 4.70 GHz, and its 3 nm process node from TSMC offers a significant architectural advantage over the 10 nm node used by the Core 5 120HL.

The Core Ultra 5 225T also holds advantages in platform features. Its 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes more than double the Core 5 120HL's 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, providing superior bandwidth for expansion cards and storage. Its 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth supports faster data throughput than the Core 5 120HL, which has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. The Core Ultra 5 225T's 17,800 million transistors and 243 mm² die size reflect a denser, more modern design, while the Core 5 120HL has no such data recorded.

The Core 5 120HL does have a higher TDP rating of 45 watts compared to the Core Ultra 5 225T's 65 watts, which is the opposite of what one might expect from the performance disparity. The Core Ultra 5 225T draws more power while delivering higher performance, suggesting its efficiency comes from the 3 nm process rather than a lower power target. The Core 5 120HL's lower TDP indicates a more power-conscious design, though its performance cannot be verified.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Core 5 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are close, with the Core 5 120HL at 2.60 GHz and the Core Ultra 5 225T at 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks favor the Core Ultra 5 225T, which reaches 4.90 GHz versus the Core 5 120HL's 4.70 GHz. TDP differs by 20 watts, with the Core 5 120HL rated at 45 watts and the Core Ultra 5 225T at 65 watts.

Sockets and architectures are completely different. The Core 5 120HL uses Intel Socket 1700 and Raptor Lake architecture, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses Intel Socket 1851 and Arrow Lake architecture. Process nodes also differ: the Core 5 120HL uses 10 nm from Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses 3 nm from TSMC. The Core Ultra 5 225T has recorded transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 5 120HL has neither recorded.

Cache configurations show the Core Ultra 5 225T with larger capacities at every level. It has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 120HL has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs, with the Core 5 120HL accepting both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 only. The Core Ultra 5 225T records 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Core 5 120HL has none recorded. PCIe capabilities favor the Core Ultra 5 225T with Gen 5 and 20 lanes, while the Core 5 120HL offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with the Core 5 120HL using Iris Xe Graphics 80EU and the Core Ultra 5 225T using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory. The Core 5 120HL has a launch MSRP of $279 and a release date of April 7, 2024, while the Core Ultra 5 225T has no launch MSRP recorded and a release date of December 31, 2024.