CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 5 120U and Intel Core 5 221TE are two active Intel processors that, despite similar average benchmark scores, present distinctly different performance profiles. The data shows the 120U wins 13 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the 221TE takes 4, yet the overall average benchmark score difference is minimal at 0.2% in favor of the 120U. This apparent contradiction stems from the nature of the benchmarks where each processor excels, with the 120U dominating single-threaded and legacy multi-threaded tests while the 221TE counterattacks in newer multi-threaded workloads. The following analysis breaks down these results by benchmark category, architectural differences, and practical use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic victory for the Intel Core 5 120U comes in the passmark_single_thread test, where it scores 3479 against the 221TE’s 1734, a delta of 100.6%. This same 100.6% margin appears in the passmark_singlethread test, confirming that the 120U’s single-core advantage is not an anomaly but a consistent pattern. The cinebench_r15_singlecore test tells a similar story, with the 120U scoring 245 versus 160, a 53.1% lead. These results indicate the 120U has a substantial clock-for-clock efficiency advantage in single-threaded workloads, likely due to its higher boost behavior in short bursts.

In multi-threaded legacy benchmarks, the 120U maintains its dominance. The cinebench_r20_multicore test shows the 120U at 5349 against 4748 for the 221TE, a 12.7% margin. The passmark_multithread test follows with 15042 versus 13301, again a 13.1% lead for the 120U. The passmark_integer_math test shows an even larger gap, with the 120U scoring 52280 against 42303, a 23.6% advantage. The 120U also wins passmark_floating_point_math with 36026 versus 31661, a 13.8% margin, and passmark_random_string_sorting with 19060 versus 16929, a 12.6% lead. Data compression and encryption also favor the 120U, with 6.2% and 16.6% margins respectively.

The Intel Core 5 221TE, however, secures its most significant win in the cinebench_r23_multicore test, scoring 11305 against the 120U’s 6659, a 41.1% advantage. This is the single largest margin in either direction across all tests. The 221TE also edges out the 120U in passmark_extended_instructions (9655 versus 9299, a 3.7% margin), passmark_find_prime_numbers (59 versus 53, a 10.2% margin), and passmark_physics (977 versus 937, a 4.1% margin). These wins suggest the 221TE has superior sustained multi-threaded performance in newer rendering workloads, despite losing in older multi-threaded tests.

Looking at the overall averages, the 120U’s avgBenchmarkScore is 17898, while the 221TE sits at 17860, a 0.2% difference. Both processors rank in the same percentile tier, with the 120U at the 72nd percentile and the 221TE at the 71st percentile against all CPUs. Their nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (avgScore 17891, 0% delta for the 120U) and the Intel Core 7 350 (avgScore 17779, 0.7% delta for the 120U), placing both firmly in the mid-range desktop and mobile performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U decisively wins all single-threaded benchmarks. It leads by 100.6% in passmark_single_thread (3479 versus 1734) and by 53.1% in cinebench_r15_singlecore (245 versus 160). Even in cinebench_r23_singlecore, the 120U maintains a 10.1% lead with 1756.5 against 1596.

Q: Why does the 221TE win cinebench_r23_multicore by such a large margin?

A: The 221TE scores 11305 in cinebench_r23_multicore versus 6659 for the 120U, a 41.1% advantage. This suggests the 221TE’s higher thread count (16 versus 12) and larger 24 MB L3 cache (versus 12 MB) provide a substantial benefit in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads that scale with cache and thread availability.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The 120U has an avgBenchmarkScore of 17898, while the 221TE scores 17860, a difference of only 0.2%. Both processors sit at the 71st-72nd percentile against all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Q: Which processor performs better in integer math operations?

A: The 120U is significantly better, scoring 52280 in passmark_integer_math versus 42303 for the 221TE, a 23.6% margin. This indicates the 120U handles integer-heavy workloads like general computation and data processing more efficiently.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the 221TE is competitive?

A: Yes, the 221TE wins four of the seventeen head-to-head tests: cinebench_r23_multicore (41.1% lead), passmark_extended_instructions (3.7% lead), passmark_find_prime_numbers (10.2% lead), and passmark_physics (4.1% lead). These wins are concentrated in specific multi-threaded and instruction-intensive areas.

Q: What do the deltaPct values for nearest rivals indicate?

A: For the 120U, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT shows a 0% delta (avgScore 17891 versus 17898), while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 shows a -0.5% delta (17994). For the 221TE, the Intel Core 7 350 shows a 0.5% delta (17779) and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 shows a -0.7% delta (17994). This places both processors within a narrow performance band around 17,800-18,000 average score.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families, which explains their divergent benchmark results. The Intel Core 5 120U is built on Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-U, part of the Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) generation. It uses a 10 nm process node from Intel’s foundry. The 221TE, in contrast, uses Bartlett Lake architecture with the codename Bartlett Lake, part of the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation, also on a 10 nm process node. This makes both processors equal in manufacturing technology but different in design philosophy.

The cache hierarchy reveals a significant architectural divergence. Both processors share the same per-core L1 cache (80 KB per core) and L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), but the L3 cache differs dramatically. The 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 221TE doubles this to 24 MB. This larger cache pool in the 221TE likely contributes to its strong cinebench_r23_multicore performance, as more data can be retained closer to the cores. The 221TE also has a larger die size at 215 mm², though the 120U’s die size is not specified in the data.

The integrated graphics also differ, with the 120U featuring Iris Xe Graphics 80EU while the 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. This reflects their different market segments: the 120U targets mobile with its BGA 1744 socket, while the 221TE is a desktop processor on Socket 1700. The PCIe support differs as well, with the 120U offering Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only) versus the 221TE’s Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), giving the desktop part twice the PCIe bandwidth and the newer standard.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the first notable difference. Both processors have 10 physical cores, but the 120U has 12 threads while the 221TE has 16 threads, indicating a different hyper-threading configuration across the core types. The base clock speeds differ, with the 120U running at 1.40 GHz versus the 221TE’s 1.80 GHz. However, both share the same 5.00 GHz boost clock, which explains the 120U’s single-thread dominance in short bursts.

The thermal design power (TDP) shows the biggest practical difference: the 120U is rated at 15 watts while the 221TE is rated at 45 watts. This triple increase in TDP for the 221TE reflects its desktop orientation and allows for higher sustained performance, as evidenced by its cinebench_r23_multicore win. The 221TE also supports ECC memory, which the 120U does not, a feature often valued in workstation and server environments. Memory bandwidth is specified for the 221TE at 76.8 GB/s, while the 120U’s bandwidth is not listed.

The release dates differ by about a year, with the 120U released on 2024-01-07 and the 221TE on 2025-01-12. The 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the 120U. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The part numbers differ (SRM7P for the 120U, SRVQS for the 221TE), and neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120U wins in scenarios that favor single-threaded performance and legacy multi-threaded workloads. Its 100.6% lead in passmark_single_thread makes it the clear choice for applications that rely heavily on single-core speed, such as older games, spreadsheet calculations, and general desktop responsiveness. Its 23.6% lead in passmark_integer_math and 13.8% lead in passmark_floating_point_math indicate strong performance in data processing and scientific computing tasks. The 120U also wins in data compression (6.2% lead) and data encryption (16.6% lead), making it suitable for file archiving and secure communication workloads. Its 15-watt TDP and mobile BGA 1744 socket position it for thin-and-light laptops where power efficiency is paramount.

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, as demonstrated by its 41.1% lead in cinebench_r23_multicore. This makes it the better choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other CPU-intensive creative tasks that can utilize all 16 threads and benefit from the larger 24 MB L3 cache. Its wins in passmark_extended_instructions (3.7% lead) and passmark_physics (4.1% lead) suggest advantages in physics simulations and specialized instruction sets. The 221TE also supports ECC memory, making it suitable for reliability-critical applications like file servers or workstation builds where data integrity is paramount. Its desktop Socket 1700 and 45-watt TDP allow for better cooling solutions, enabling sustained performance in demanding workloads.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on use case. The Intel Core 5 120U is the superior choice for users who prioritize single-threaded performance and power efficiency. Its dominant wins in passmark_single_thread (100.6% lead), cinebench_r15_singlecore (53.1% lead), and passmark_integer_math (23.6% lead) make it ideal for general-purpose computing in mobile form factors. The 15-watt TDP, combined with the mobile BGA 1744 socket, positions it for ultrabooks and portable devices where battery life and thermal management are critical. Its 13 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests show broad superiority across most benchmark categories.

The Intel Core 5 221TE, despite losing the majority of head-to-head tests, is the better processor for specific multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its 41.1% lead in cinebench_r23_multicore is the single largest margin in either direction, indicating a substantial advantage in modern rendering engines that scale with thread count and cache size. The 16 threads, 24 MB L3 cache, and 45-watt TDP make it a capable desktop processor for content creation, while the 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth and Gen 5 PCIe support future-proof the platform. The ECC memory support adds value for professionals requiring error-correcting memory. The launch MSRP of $232 provides a reference point for its market positioning.

For most users, the 120U offers the better all-around performance with 13 benchmark wins and a 0.2% higher average score. However, those who spend hours in CPU-bound rendering tasks will find the 221TE’s cinebench_r23_multicore advantage transformative. The choice ultimately comes down to whether single-threaded responsiveness and portability matter more than sustained multi-threaded throughput and desktop expandability. The data cannot declare an overall winner because the two processors are optimized for different environments, with the 120U excelling in mobile efficiency and the 221TE in desktop rendering throughput.