Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 5 223PQE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data contains no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the Intel Core 5 120U and the Intel Core 5 223PQE. The database shows a complete set of benchmark results for the Core 5 120U, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, Geekbench, and Passmark workloads. The Core 5 223PQE, however, has no recorded benchmark scores in any test. As a result, direct performance deltas cannot be calculated from the available measurements.

What the data does show is that the Core 5 120U holds a percentile rank of 72 among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17,898. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17,891, the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17,860, the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17,994, and the Intel Core 7 350 at 17,779. The delta percentages are minimal, ranging from -0.5% (against the Ryzen 5 1600) to +0.7% (against the Core 7 350). This places the Core 5 120U in a narrow performance band where the difference from its closest competitors is less than one percent in either direction.

For the Core 5 223PQE, the percentile rank is 50, but its average benchmark score is recorded as 0, and it has no nearest rivals listed. This indicates that the database has not yet collected performance measurements for this processor. Without benchmark scores, no head-to-head wins can be assigned to either CPU. The wins counter for both items sits at zero, reflecting the absence of comparative test data rather than any actual performance equivalence.

The available single-processor benchmarks for the Core 5 120U show a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6,659 and a single-core score of 1,756.5. In Cinebench R20, it scores 5,349 multi-core and 755 single-core. Geekbench results show 5,888 multi-core and 1,727 single-core. Passmark tests include a multi-thread score of 15,042 and a single-thread score of 3,479. These figures provide a baseline for the Core 5 120U, but they cannot be compared against the Core 5 223PQE until that processor's benchmark data becomes available.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-U, while the Core 5 223PQE uses the codename Bartlett Lake, with its architecture field left unspecified in the database. Both are built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry, so the manufacturing process is identical. The Core 5 120U belongs to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) generation, while the Core 5 223PQE belongs to the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation.

The core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores and 16 threads. This means the 120U relies on more physical cores but fewer threads, whereas the 223PQE uses fewer cores but enables simultaneous multithreading to reach double its core count in threads. The cache hierarchy also differs. Both share an L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The L2 cache on the 120U is 1.25 MB per core, while the 223PQE has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is more divergent: the 120U has 12 MB shared, and the 223PQE has 24 MB shared, exactly double.

Clock speeds favor the 223PQE. The 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 223PQE has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The base clock difference is pronounced, with the 223PQE running nearly three times faster at base, while its boost is 0.50 GHz higher. Thermal design power tells a similar story: the 120U is rated at 15 W, while the 223PQE is rated at 125 W, a difference of 110 W. The socket types are incompatible as well, with the 120U using Intel BGA 1744 and the 223PQE using Intel Socket 1700.

Integrated graphics differ. The 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the 223PQE uses UHD Graphics 770. Memory support is the same for both: DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel. The 223PQE has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the 120U has no memory bandwidth figure in the database. ECC memory support is another split: the 120U does not support ECC, while the 223PQE does. PCIe capabilities differ significantly. The 120U has PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the 223PQE has PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Core 5 120U wins in areas where benchmark scores exist. It has a percentile rank of 72, meaning it outperforms the majority of all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 17,898 places it slightly above the Intel Core 5 221TE (17,860) and the Intel Core 7 350 (17,779), and within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17,994). The 120U also wins on power efficiency, as its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower than the 223PQE's 125 W, making it suitable for mobile applications. Its release date of January 7, 2024, and its mobile market segment indicate a design focus on portable devices.

The Core 5 223PQE wins on raw specifications that point to higher performance ceilings, despite lacking benchmark data. Its 4.00 GHz base clock and 5.50 GHz boost clock exceed the 120U's clocks. Its 24 MB L3 cache is double the 120U's 12 MB, and its 2 MB per-core L2 cache is larger than the 120U's 1.25 MB per-core. Its 125 W TDP suggests a desktop-oriented design with room for sustained performance. The 223PQE also has 16 threads versus 12, which can benefit heavily threaded workloads. It supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the 120U, and its PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes provides twice the lane count and a newer generation than the 120U's PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. The 223PQE's release date of March 8, 2026, indicates a newer product, and its launch MSRP is $319.

The 120U's only recorded wins are in the benchmark suite, where it posts scores across Cinebench, Geekbench, and Passmark. The 223PQE has no scores, so it cannot claim any benchmark wins in the current database. The specification differences, however, favor the 223PQE in every category except core count and power consumption.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core 5 223PQE |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) | Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | January 7, 2024 | March 8, 2026 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $319 |

| Part Number | SRM7P | SA4QC |

The two share the same manufacturer, process node, L1 cache size, memory support (DDR4 and DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), and production status (Active). Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The architecture field is listed as Raptor Lake for the 120U and null for the 223PQE, with the 223PQE's generation identified through its codename.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores, while the Intel Core 5 223PQE has 8 cores. The 120U leads by two physical cores.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 223PQE has 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 12 threads. The 223PQE leads by four threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference?

A: The 223PQE has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 223PQE is faster in both metrics.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The 223PQE supports ECC memory, while the 120U does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher L3 cache?

A: The 223PQE has 24 MB shared L3 cache, while the 120U has 12 MB shared L3 cache. The 223PQE has double the L3 capacity.

Q: What are the PCIe differences?

A: The 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the 223PQE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The 223PQE has a newer generation and double the lane count.

The Verdict

The data indicates two processors with divergent design goals. The Intel Core 5 120U is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, 10 cores, and 12 threads. Its benchmark results place it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, with an average score of 17,898. It delivers competitive performance relative to its nearest rivals, all within a 0.7% delta range. The 120U is the only one of the two with recorded performance measurements, making it the verified performer in the database.

The Intel Core 5 223PQE is a desktop processor with a 125 W TDP, 8 cores, and 16 threads. Its specifications indicate a higher performance potential: a 4.00 GHz base clock, 5.50 GHz boost clock, 24 MB L3 cache, and PCIe Gen 5 support. It also supports ECC memory and has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. However, the database contains no benchmark scores for this processor, so its actual performance cannot be confirmed.

The choice between the two depends on the use case, based strictly on the available data. For users requiring a mobile processor with verified benchmark performance, the 120U is the only option with recorded scores. Its low 15 W TDP and Intel BGA 1744 socket suit portable systems. For users building a desktop system where higher clock speeds, larger cache, ECC support, and PCIe Gen 5 are priorities, the 223PQE offers those specifications, but its performance remains unmeasured in the database. The 223PQE's launch MSRP is $319, while the 120U has no recorded launch price. The 120U is the safer choice for users who want benchmark-verified results, while the 223PQE is the specification-driven choice for desktop workloads that demand higher thread counts, larger caches, and ECC reliability.