Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Intel Core 5 120U and Intel Core 5 221E are both active Intel processors, but the recorded data places them in different performance classes. The Intel Core 5 120U is a mobile part with 10 cores, 12 threads, and a 15 W TDP, while the Intel Core 5 221E is a desktop processor with 14 cores, 20 threads, and a 65 W TDP. The benchmark results show a consistent and substantial advantage for the 221E across every recorded test, with the 120U failing to win a single head-to-head comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic gap appears in multi-core rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core 5 221E scores 25933 against 6659 for the Intel Core 5 120U, a difference of 74.3 percent. This is the largest percentage margin in the entire comparison. Cinebench R20 multi-core tells a similar story: the 221E records 10891 while the 120U manages 5349, a 50.9 percent gap. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the 221E at 2613 versus 1150.5 for the 120U, which is 56 percent higher.

Single-core results also favor the 221E, though by a smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 221E scores 3661 against 1756.5 for the 120U, a 52 percent difference. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1537 versus 755, a 50.9 percent gap. Cinebench R15 single-core records 368 versus 245, a 33.4 percent difference. The narrowest margin in the entire dataset appears in PassMark single-thread results, where the 221E scores 4147 and the 120U scores 3479, a 16.1 percent gap.

The PassMark suite reinforces the pattern across specialized workloads. In floating point math, the 221E scores 79028 against 36026 for the 120U, a 54.4 percent advantage. Integer math shows 117813 versus 52280, a 55.6 percent gap. Data compression favors the 221E at 324285 versus 166432, a 48.7 percent difference. Data encryption records 19205 versus 10453, a 45.6 percent gap. Extended instructions show 18216 versus 9299, a 49 percent difference. Find prime numbers is particularly lopsided: 173 versus 53, a 69.4 percent advantage for the 221E. Random string sorting records 37686 versus 19060, a 49.4 percent gap. The multi-threaded PassMark score is 30510 for the 221E and 15042 for the 120U, a 50.7 percent difference. Physics tests show 2230 versus 937, a 58 percent gap.

The overall average benchmark score confirms the separation. The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 120U has an average benchmark score of 17898, placing it in the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the 221E include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with an average score of 40081 and a delta of 0.2 percent, and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 with an average score of 40246 and a delta of -0.3 percent. The nearest rivals for the 120U include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891 and a delta of 0 percent, and the Intel Core 7 350 with an average score of 17779 and a delta of 0.7 percent.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural backgrounds. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel. The Intel Core 5 221E uses Bartlett Lake as its codename, also on a 10 nm process node at Intel. The 221E has a larger die size at 257 mm², while the die size for the 120U is not recorded.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. This difference in core and thread counts explains much of the multi-core performance gap. The L2 cache configuration also differs: the 120U has 1.25 MB per core, while the 221E has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the 120U and 24 MB shared on the 221E. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core.

Clock speeds show a substantial difference. The base clock on the 120U is 1.40 GHz, while the 221E runs at 2.70 GHz. The boost clock is 5.00 GHz on the 120U and 5.20 GHz on the 221E. The higher base clock on the 221E contributes to its single-core advantage, and the combination of more cores, higher clocks, and larger caches drives the multi-core results.

Memory support is similar in type, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The 221E adds ECC memory support, a feature absent on the 120U. The 221E also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while no memory bandwidth figure is listed for the 120U.

PCIe capabilities differ. The 120U provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The 221E provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This is a significant difference for expansion and data transfer capacity.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The 221E uses UHD Graphics 730. The 221E has a launch MSRP of $232. The 120U has no recorded launch MSRP. The 120U uses Intel BGA 1744 as its socket, while the 221E uses Intel Socket 1700.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 5 221E wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 120U. The smallest margin is 16.1 percent in single-thread performance, and the largest is 74.3 percent in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The 221E also ranks higher in the overall percentile distribution: 87th percentile versus 72nd percentile for the 120U.

The 120U is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The 221E is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP and a 5.20 GHz boost clock. The difference in power envelope aligns with the performance gap. The 221E has 4 more cores, 8 more threads, double the L3 cache, and a higher base clock. These architectural advantages manifest in every benchmark category.

The 120U has its own strengths in the context of its market segment. It uses a BGA 1744 socket, which is typical for integrated mobile designs, and its 15 W TDP indicates lower power draw. The 221E requires a Socket 1700 desktop platform and provides ECC memory support, which the 120U lacks. For workloads that benefit from PCIe Gen 5 and 16 lanes, the 221E has the advantage. For systems where the integrated graphics and mobile form factor matter, the 120U is the relevant choice.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 10 on the 120U, 14 on the 221E
• Threads: 12 on the 120U, 20 on the 221E
• Base clock: 1.40 GHz on the 120U, 2.70 GHz on the 221E
• Boost clock: 5.00 GHz on the 120U, 5.20 GHz on the 221E
• TDP: 15 W on the 120U, 65 W on the 221E
• Socket: Intel BGA 1744 on the 120U, Intel Socket 1700 on the 221E
• Codename: Raptor Lake-U on the 120U, Bartlett Lake on the 221E
• Die size: not recorded on the 120U, 257 mm² on the 221E
• L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core on the 120U, 2 MB per core on the 221E
• L3 cache: 12 MB shared on the 120U, 24 MB shared on the 221E
• ECC memory: false on the 120U, true on the 221E
• Memory bandwidth: not recorded on the 120U, 89.6 GB/s on the 221E
• PCIe: Gen 4, 8 lanes on the 120U, Gen 5, 16 lanes on the 221E
• Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the 120U, UHD Graphics 730 on the 221E
• Market segment: Mobile on the 120U, Desktop on the 221E
• Release date: 2024-01-07 on the 120U, 2025-01-12 on the 221E
• Part number: SRM7P on the 120U, SRQDVQ659 on the 221E
• Launch MSRP: not recorded on the 120U, $232 on the 221E

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the 221E leads by 74.3 percent with a score of 25933 versus 6659.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 120U support ECC memory?

A: No, the 120U does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 221E does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap recorded?

A: The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread performance, where the 221E leads by 16.1 percent with scores of 4147 versus 3479.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to 5.00 GHz on the 120U.

Q: What PCIe generation does each processor use?

A: The 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes, while the 221E uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every recorded benchmark category. Multi-core rendering, single-core rendering, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multi-threaded workloads, physics calculations, random string sorting, and single-thread tests all favor the 221E. The data shows no category where the 120U takes the lead.

The Intel Core 5 120U still has a role based on its specifications rather than its benchmark scores. It is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, which indicates suitability for power-constrained portable systems. Its Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units and BGA 1744 socket fit an integrated mobile platform. The 221E, by contrast, is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP, a Socket 1700 platform, and UHD Graphics 730. The 221E also provides ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, which are not available on the 120U.

For workloads that demand maximum throughput, the 221E is the clear choice. The 74.3 percent lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and the 69.4 percent lead in prime number calculations demonstrate its strength in heavily threaded and compute-intensive tasks. For single-thread responsiveness, the 221E still leads, but the 16.1 percent margin in PassMark single-thread is the closest the 120U gets. The 120U remains an option for mobile designs where the 15 W TDP and integrated graphics are the defining constraints, but the recorded benchmark data gives the 221E an unambiguous performance advantage across all measured tests.