Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E records an average benchmark score of 37829, compared to 17898 for the Intel Core 5 120U. The 211E also sits in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the 120U sits in the 72nd percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in thread count?

A: Both have 10 cores, but the Intel Core 5 211E supports 16 threads while the Intel Core 5 120U supports 12 threads. The 211E delivers higher multi-threaded performance across every Cinebench multi-core test.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 12 MB. The 211E also has 2 MB of L2 cache per core, versus 1.25 MB per core on the 120U.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, a mobile socket. The Intel Core 5 211E uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. These are not interchangeable platforms.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 211E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120U does not. The 211E also lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, a figure not recorded for the 120U.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U boosts to 5.00 GHz, slightly higher than the 4.90 GHz of the Intel Core 5 211E. However, the 211E has a much higher base clock of 2.70 GHz versus 1.40 GHz on the 120U.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a decisive outcome. The Intel Core 5 211E wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head tests, with the Intel Core 5 120U taking only 2. The 211E leads by large margins in nearly every compute category, and its average benchmark score of 37829 is more than double the 120U's 17898. For workloads that stress sustained multi-core throughput, the 211E is the clear choice.

The Intel Core 5 120U should be selected only for scenarios where its specific advantages matter. It wins the passmark find prime numbers test by 23.3% and the passmark physics test by 33.5%. Its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and 15 W TDP indicate a low-power mobile design suited for thermally constrained environments. The 120U uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, which places it in thin-and-light laptops rather than desktop systems.

The Intel Core 5 211E suits desktop builds where power draw is less restrictive. Its 65 W TDP, Intel Socket 1700 compatibility, and Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes position it for workstation or embedded use. The 211E also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the 120U, making it the appropriate pick for reliability-focused computing.

The data does not support choosing the 120U for performance. Every Cinebench test, whether single-core or multi-core, favors the 211E. The 211E leads by 67.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the largest single margin in the entire comparison. For all general-purpose processing, the 211E delivers superior results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 211E dominates across Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 2055 versus 1150.5, a 44% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows 289 against 245, a 15.2% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core results are 8563 versus 5349, a 37.5% gap, and R20 single-core repeats the same 37.5% margin with 1208 against 755. The largest multi-core margin appears in Cinebench R23, where the 211E scores 20389 versus 6659, a 67.3% lead. Even in R23 single-core, the 211E holds a 39% advantage with 2878 against 1756.5.

PassMark tests reinforce the pattern. Data compression shows 346757 for the 211E versus 166432 for the 120U, a 52% lead. Data encryption records 17938 versus 10453, a 41.7% margin. Extended instructions score 21592 against 9299, a 56.9% difference. Floating point math delivers 66402 versus 36026, a 45.7% lead. Integer math shows 88117 against 52280, a 40.7% margin. Random string sorting records 34308 versus 19060, a 44.4% advantage. Multi-thread performance reaches 23833 against 15042, a 36.9% lead. Single-thread performance shows 4006 versus 3479, a 13.2% margin, which appears identically in both passmark single-thread fields.

The Intel Core 5 120U wins two tests. In passmark find prime numbers, it scores 53 against 43, a 23.3% advantage. In passmark physics, it records 937 versus 702, a 33.5% lead. These wins indicate the 120U has particular strength in certain integer-heavy or physics-simulation workloads, but they do not offset the broad performance deficit elsewhere.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several fundamental specifications. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores and 16 threads. The 120U operates at a 1.40 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the 211E runs at 2.70 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. Thermal design power differs substantially: the 120U is rated at 15 W, the 211E at 65 W.

Socket compatibility separates them completely. The 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile socket. The 211E uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The 211E has a recorded die size of 257 mm², while no die size is recorded for the 120U.

L2 cache differs per core: the 120U has 1.25 MB per core, the 211E has 2 MB per core. L3 cache totals 12 MB shared on the 120U versus 20 MB shared on the 211E. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, but only the 211E lists a memory bandwidth figure of 76.8 GB/s.

PCIe capabilities differ. The 120U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The 211E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: the 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the 211E uses UHD Graphics 730.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the 211E. The 211E also has a launch MSRP of $221. The 120U has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors carry an unlocked multiplier set to false, meaning neither supports overclocking. The release dates differ: the 120U was released on 2024-01-07, the 211E on 2025-01-12.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, placing it in Intel's mobile product line. The Intel Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename with no architecture name recorded, and it targets the desktop market segment. Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry, but they represent different platform designs.

The 120U belongs to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) generation, while the 211E belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. The 120U has a part number of SRM7P, and the 211E has a part number of SRQERQ65F. Neither processor has transistor counts recorded in the database.

The cache hierarchy reflects the architectural differences. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 per-core allocation favors the 211E at 2 MB versus 1.25 MB. The L3 cache on the 211E is 20 MB versus 12 MB on the 120U, a 66.7% larger shared pool. This larger cache hierarchy on the 211E likely contributes to its substantial multi-threaded performance advantage.

The 211E's Bartlett Lake design is built for desktop integration with Gen 5 PCIe and 16 lanes, supporting high-throughput peripherals. The 120U's Raptor Lake-U design uses Gen 4 PCIe with 8 lanes, appropriate for mobile platforms with fewer expansion options. The 211E also integrates ECC memory support, which is absent on the 120U.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 211E is the winner for sustained multi-core workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 67.3% lead, and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 44% lead. Data compression, extended instructions, integer math, and floating point math all favor the 211E by margins between 40.7% and 56.9%. These results indicate the 211E handles compilation, data processing, scientific computation, and content rendering with substantially higher throughput.

The 211E also wins all single-core tests, with margins ranging from 13.2% in passmark single-thread to 39% in Cinebench R23 single-core. This makes it the better choice for lightly threaded applications such as general desktop use, office productivity, and single-threaded legacy software. The 211E's higher base clock of 2.70 GHz likely underpins this consistent single-core advantage.

The Intel Core 5 120U wins passmark physics by 33.5% and passmark find prime numbers by 23.3%. The physics result suggests the 120U has an advantage in certain simulation or game-physics calculations. The prime number test indicates strength in specific integer-arithmetic patterns. These wins are narrow in scope and do not generalize to other benchmark categories.

For embedded and reliability-focused systems, the 211E holds distinct advantages regardless of raw performance. It supports ECC memory, provides Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, and uses the desktop Socket 1700. The 120U lacks ECC support and uses a mobile socket with Gen 4 PCIe. The 211E also carries a launch MSRP of $221, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the 120U.

The 120U's 15 W TDP and mobile socket make it the appropriate choice for battery-powered or low-power fanless designs where the 65 W TDP of the 211E is not feasible. However, benchmark results show the 120U sacrifices significant compute capability to achieve that power profile. The data indicates the 120U is a specialized mobile part, while the 211E is a general-purpose desktop processor with broad performance superiority.