Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

The database does not contain a paired head-to-head benchmark array for the Intel Core 5 120HL and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. The Core 5 120HL has no recorded benchmark scores, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an average benchmark score of 66,855 and a percentile rank of 93. This leaves a comparison in which one processor is fully measured and the other can only be assessed from its listed specifications.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded win split is 0 to 0, because the head-to-head benchmark list is empty. Neither processor has a direct victory over the other in a shared test. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, however, is the only processor in this pair with any benchmark entries, so it accounts for every measured workload in this comparison. Its Cinebench record spans R15, R20, and R23 in both multicore and single-core tests. Its PassMark record covers integer math, floating-point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, physics, random string sorting, find prime numbers, multithread, and single-thread tests.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus's recorded scores split across multicore and single-core workloads. In Cinebench, multicore scores are substantially larger in absolute terms than single-core scores, and PassMark multithread is 51,596 versus single-thread 4,757. The Core 5 120HL has no scores in any of those categories, so no use-case win can be assigned to it from benchmark results.

The Verdict

The data supports the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus as the measured performer in this pairing. Its average benchmark score of 66,855 places it at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals show a tight grouping: 0.1% below the AMD EPYC 4465P (66,925), 0.2% below the Intel Xeon 6515P (67,006), 0.9% below the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (67,469), and 1.1% above the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus (66,159).

The Core 5 120HL has an average benchmark score of 0, an empty benchmark array, and no nearest rivals, so it does not have a data-backed performance case. A selection based on recorded performance should favor the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. The Core 5 120HL remains a specification-only option: 12 cores, 16 threads, 2.60 base clock, 4.70 boost clock, 45 TDP, and Intel Socket 1700.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark array is empty, so exact head-to-head margins are not recorded. The Core 5 120HL contributes no scores. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus contributes these standalone results: Cinebench R23 multicore 30,867 and single-core 2,261; Cinebench R20 multicore 18,442 and single-core 2,603; Cinebench R15 multicore 4,640 and single-core 328.

In PassMark, the 250K Plus records multithread 51,596, single-thread 4,757, integer math 125,091, floating-point math 162,692, data compression 568,721, data encryption 42,144, extended instructions 44,565, physics 3,494, random string sorting 69,090, and find prime numbers 486. The largest single recorded score is PassMark data compression at 568,721. The largest Cinebench score is R23 multicore at 30,867. The 120HL has no comparable entry for either.

Context from the nearest-rival table: the 250K Plus's average score of 66,855 is 1.1% above the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus (66,159), and it trails the AMD EPYC 4465P (66,925), Intel Xeon 6515P (67,006), and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (67,469) by 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.9%, respectively.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores. The Intel Core 5 120HL has 12 cores.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has ECC memory support set to true. The Core 5 120HL has ECC memory support set to false.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core 5 120HL supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only.

Q: What are the process node and foundry for each processor?

A: The Core 5 120HL uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses a 3 nm process from TSMC.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a boost clock of 5.30. The Core 5 120HL has a boost clock of 4.70.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an average benchmark score of 66,855. The Core 5 120HL has an average benchmark score of 0.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different architectural generations. The Core 5 120HL uses the Raptor Lake-PS codename with a Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename with the Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) generation, and is fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process. The 250K Plus lists 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; the 120HL does not list transistor count or die size.

Core configuration separates them further. The 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The 250K Plus also carries larger caches: 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, versus 80 KB and 2 MB per core on the 120HL, and 30 MB of shared L3 versus 18 MB.

Memory and I/O features differ. The 120HL supports DDR4 and DDR5; the 250K Plus supports DDR5 only and lists memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. ECC memory is enabled on the 250K Plus but not on the 120HL. The PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes on the 120HL, while the 250K Plus uses Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the 120HL versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the 250K Plus. The 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier; the 120HL does not.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 5 120HL | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |

|---|---|---|

| Series | Not listed | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Not listed |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-PS | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) | Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| Die size | Not listed | 243 mm² |

| Cores | 12 | 18 |

| Threads | 16 | 18 |

| Base clock | 2.60 | 4.20 |

| Boost clock | 4.70 | 5.30 |

| TDP | 45 | 125 |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 18 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes(CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes(CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier unlocked | false | true |

| Part number | SRPFR | SA4UZ |

| Release date | 2024-04-07 | 2026-03-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $279 | $199 |

| Average benchmark score | 0 | 66,855 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 50 | 93 |