Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare between the Intel Core 5 120HL and the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H?

A: The Core Ultra 9 386H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 5 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads. Both processors support 16 threads, but the Core Ultra 9 offers four additional physical cores.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H reaches a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120HL boosts to 4.70 GHz. The Core Ultra 9 holds a 0.20 GHz advantage in maximum frequency.

Q: What are the process node differences between the two chips?

A: The Core 5 120HL is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 9 386H uses a 3 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the Core Ultra 9 uses a significantly more advanced fabrication node.

Q: How does the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Core 5 120HL includes Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Core Ultra 9 386H features Intel Xe3 Graphics. The Core Ultra 9's integrated graphics is from a newer architecture generation.

Q: What memory types are supported by each processor?

A: The Core 5 120HL supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core Ultra 9 386H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

Q: What is the market segment and socket for each processor?

A: The Core 5 120HL is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 9 386H is a mobile processor using Intel BGA 2540. The Core 5 120HL has a launch MSRP of $279.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H. It holds an 88th percentile ranking across all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 120HL sits at the 50th percentile. The Core Ultra 9 also has a recorded average benchmark score of 43210, whereas the Core 5 120HL has no benchmark scores recorded in the database.

The Core Ultra 9 386H is the pick for users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, given its 16 cores and 4.90 GHz boost clock. Its performance class places it in direct competition with high-end desktop processors like the Intel Core i9-12900 and Core i9-12900KF. The Core 5 120HL, with its 12 cores and 4.70 GHz boost, is a desktop-oriented part with a lower performance ceiling, though its 50th percentile ranking means it sits in the middle of the overall CPU distribution.

The Core 5 120HL does have one clear advantage: its desktop form factor. It uses Socket 1700, making it suitable for desktop motherboards, while the Core Ultra 9 386H is a mobile BGA 2540 part. For a desktop build, the Core 5 120HL is the only option of the two that fits a standard desktop socket. The Core Ultra 9 is designed for mobile systems, and its 25 W TDP reflects that intent.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 9 386H has a comprehensive set of benchmark results, while the Core 5 120HL has none recorded in the database. This makes direct head-to-head comparisons one-sided, but the Core Ultra 9's scores still provide a clear picture of its performance level.

In Cinebench R23, the Core Ultra 9 scores 20547 in multi-core and 2071.5 in single-core. The Cinebench R20 results show 12820 multi-core and 1809 single-core. Cinebench R15 results are 3223 multi-core and 303.5 single-core. These scores position the Core Ultra 9 as a strong performer in both heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads.

PassMark results further detail the Core Ultra 9's strengths. The multi-thread score is 35399, while the single-thread score is 4218. Integer math scores 87284, floating point math scores 108527, and extended instructions score 29138. Data compression scores 352365, data encryption scores 27150, and random string sorting scores 42135. Physics tests produce a score of 3028, while finding prime numbers scores 341.

The nearest rival comparisons for the Core Ultra 9 show how it stacks against other high-end chips. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 has an average score of 43326, which is 0.3% higher than the Core Ultra 9's 43210. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 scores 43431, 0.5% higher. The Intel Core i9-12900 scores 42906, which is 0.7% lower than the Core Ultra 9. The Intel Core i9-12900KF scores 42830, 0.9% lower.

These deltas show that the Core Ultra 9 sits within a tight performance band around these rivals. It trails the two AMD parts by less than a full percentage point, while edging out both Intel Core i9 desktop parts by less than a percentage point as well. The Core Ultra 9's performance is essentially at parity with a high-end desktop processor like the Core i9-12900, despite being a mobile part.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The Core 5 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 386H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Core 5's base clock is 2.60 GHz and its boost clock is 4.70 GHz. The Core Ultra 9's base clock is 2.10 GHz and its boost clock is 4.90 GHz.

The TDP figures are notably different. The Core 5 120HL is rated at 45 W, while the Core Ultra 9 386H is rated at 25 W. The Core Ultra 9 delivers more cores and a higher boost clock while operating at a lower TDP, reflecting the efficiency gains from its 3 nm process node.

The sockets are incompatible with each other. The Core 5 120HL uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The Core Ultra 9 386H uses Intel BGA 2540, a mobile socket. The market segments differ accordingly: the Core 5 is a desktop part, while the Core Ultra 9 is a mobile part.

Cache configurations differ as well. 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 9 386H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 has more L1 and L2 cache per core, while L3 cache capacity is identical.

PCIe support also differs. The Core 5 120HL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 9 386H supports PCIe Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 9 offers both a newer PCIe generation and more lanes.

The release dates are far apart. The Core 5 120HL was released in April 2024, while the Core Ultra 9 386H was released in January 2026. The Core 5 120HL has a launch MSRP of $279, while the Core Ultra 9 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 120HL is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, with the codename Raptor Lake-PS. The Core Ultra 9 386H uses the Panther Lake architecture, with the codename Panther Lake. These are two distinct processor generations: the Core 5 is part of the Raptor Lake-PS generation, while the Core Ultra 9 is part of the Panther Lake-H generation.

The process nodes reflect the generational gap. The Core 5 120HL uses a 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 9 386H uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by Intel. The 3 nm node gives the Core Ultra 9 a significant density and efficiency advantage, which helps explain its higher core count and boost clock at a lower TDP.

Core-level cache organization differs significantly. The Core 5 120HL has 80 KB of L1 per core, while the Core Ultra 9 386H has 192 KB per core. L2 cache also differs: 2 MB per core on the Core 5 versus 2.5 MB per core on the Core Ultra 9. Shared L3 cache is the same at 18 MB.

The integrated graphics architectures reflect their respective generations. The Core 5 120HL uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The Core Ultra 9 386H uses Intel Xe3 Graphics, a newer graphics architecture. The memory support also differs: the Core 5 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 9 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

The Core Ultra 9's memory bandwidth is recorded at 115.2 GB/s, while the Core 5 120HL has no memory bandwidth figure in the database. The Core Ultra 9 also has PCIe Gen 5 support with 12 lanes, whereas the Core 5 120HL is limited to PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Both processors have locked multipliers and do not support ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 9 386H wins on raw compute in every measured category. It has 16 cores versus 12, a higher boost clock, more cache per core, and a more advanced process node. Its benchmark scores confirm this: the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 20547 and PassMark multi-thread score of 35399 indicate strong performance for heavily parallel workloads such as rendering, video encoding, and scientific computation.

The Core Ultra 9 also wins on efficiency per the recorded specifications. It delivers 16 cores and a 4.90 GHz boost clock at a 25 W TDP, while the Core 5 120HL delivers 12 cores and a 4.70 GHz boost at 45 W. The 3 nm process node makes this efficiency gap possible.

The Core Ultra 9 wins on platform capabilities. Its PCIe Gen 5 support with 12 lanes outpaces the Core 5's PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Its newer Intel Xe3 Graphics architecture is a generational improvement over the Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Its higher per-core L1 and L2 cache allocations provide more local storage for compute-heavy workloads.

The Core 5 120HL wins in the desktop segment. It uses Intel Socket 1700, which is a standard desktop socket, while the Core Ultra 9 uses the mobile BGA 2540 socket. For a desktop system, the Core 5 120HL is the only viable option of the two. Its 45 W TDP is also more typical of a desktop part that has more cooling headroom available.

The Core 5 120HL also supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, which gives it compatibility with a broader range of existing desktop memory modules. The Core Ultra 9 is limited to DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Core 5's launch MSRP of $279 provides a reference point for its market position, though the Core Ultra 9 has no recorded launch MSRP.

The benchmark data shows a wide performance gap between the two, with the Core Ultra 9 at the 88th percentile and the Core 5 at the 50th percentile. The Core Ultra 9's average benchmark score of 43210 places it among high-end desktop-class performers. The Core 5 120HL's absence of recorded benchmark scores prevents a direct numeric comparison, but its lower core count, older process node, and lower boost clock indicate it sits in a different performance class.