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

The Verdict

The recorded database contains two Intel processors with asymmetric data coverage. The Intel Core 5 120U has a complete benchmark profile, while the Intel Core 5 223PTE has no recorded benchmark scores. This creates an unusual analytical situation: one processor can be assessed against its nearest rivals, while the other can only be characterized through its architectural specifications.

The Intel Core 5 120U occupies the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 17898. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891 (a 0% delta), the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17860 (0.2% ahead of the 120U), the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (0.5% behind the 120U), and the Intel Core 7 350 at 17779 (0.7% behind the 120U). This indicates the 120U sits in a tightly contested performance band where four competing processors fall within a 1.2% total spread.

The Intel Core 5 223PTE has zero benchmark entries, an average benchmark score of 0, and no nearest rivals listed. The data cannot establish its performance class. Any user choosing between these two processors must rely on the 120U's measured results and the 223PTE's specification sheet alone.

Based strictly on the available data, the 120U is the only processor with verifiable performance evidence. The 223PTE offers architectural features that suggest a different performance envelope, but the database contains no measurements to confirm this. For applications where benchmark-verified performance matters, the 120U is the data-supported choice. For applications where the 223PTE's specific features such as ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and higher base clock matter more than recorded scores, the 223PTE remains a specification-based option.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120U wins in every measured category because it is the only processor in this comparison with recorded benchmark data. Its benchmark suite covers single-core and multi-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, Geekbench, and Passmark tests.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 120U scores 6659 points, while its single-core score reaches 1756.5. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 5349 and the single-core score is 755. The R15 results show 1150.5 multi-core and 245 single-core. Geekbench results show 5888 multi-core and 1727 single-core.

Passmark results cover specialized workloads: integer math at 52280, floating point math at 36026, extended instructions at 9299, data compression at 166432, data encryption at 10453, random string sorting at 19060, physics at 937, find prime numbers at 53, multithread at 15042, and single-thread at 3479.

The Intel Core 5 223PTE has no benchmark wins recorded because no benchmark data exists for it. The database lists zero head-to-head benchmark entries and zero wins for either processor. The 223PTE's advantages must be inferred from its specification sheet rather than measured performance.

The 223PTE does offer features that the 120U lacks: ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, a 24 MB shared L3 cache, 2 MB L2 cache per core, a 2.30 GHz base clock, a 5.40 GHz boost clock, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. These specifications suggest the 223PTE targets workloads requiring memory integrity, higher bandwidth, or newer PCIe connectivity, but the data cannot confirm actual performance in these areas.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge in several fundamental architectural areas. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, while the Intel Core 5 223PTE uses Bartlett Lake architecture with the Bartlett Lake codename. Both processors use a 10 nm process node from Intel's foundry.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, which indicates a hybrid configuration with fewer threads than twice the core count, suggesting efficiency cores without hyperthreading or a partial core arrangement. The 223PTE has 8 cores and 16 threads, which is a conventional arrangement of 8 cores with 2 threads per core.

Clock speeds favor the 223PTE. Its base clock is 2.30 GHz compared to 1.40 GHz for the 120U. Its boost clock reaches 5.40 GHz compared to 5.00 GHz for the 120U. The 223PTE starts higher and accelerates further.

Cache configurations show structural differences. Both processors have 80 KB L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: the 120U has 1.25 MB per core, while the 223PTE has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache also differs substantially: the 120U has 12 MB shared, while the 223PTE has 24 MB shared. The 223PTE offers double the L3 capacity and larger per-core L2.

Memory support includes DDR4 and DDR5 for both, with dual-channel memory buses. The 223PTE adds ECC memory support, which the 120U lacks. The 223PTE also lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the 120U has no recorded memory bandwidth figure.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. The 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The 223PTE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This represents a generation jump and a doubling of available lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The 223PTE uses UHD Graphics 770. The market segments differ: the 120U targets mobile devices, while the 223PTE targets desktops.

Power and socket specifications show further divergence. The 120U has a 15 W TDP and uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile socket. The 223PTE has a 45 W TDP and uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The release dates differ: the 120U launched on January 7, 2024, while the 223PTE launched on March 8, 2026. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has a complete benchmark profile with scores across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, Geekbench, and Passmark tests. Its average benchmark score is 17898, placing it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 223PTE has no recorded benchmark scores, so no comparison can be made from the data.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 120U compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The 120U scores 17898 on average. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT scores 17891, a 0% delta. The Intel Core 5 221TE scores 17860, which is 0.2% behind the 120U. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17994, which is 0.5% ahead of the 120U. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17779, which is 0.7% behind the 120U.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 223PTE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The 120U has more physical cores, while the 223PTE has more threads due to its 8-core, 16-thread configuration.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 223PTE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 223PTE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120U does not support ECC memory. Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses.

Q: What are the PCIe differences between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core 5 223PTE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The 223PTE offers a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core 5 223PTE?

A: The launch MSRP of the Intel Core 5 223PTE is $232. The Intel Core 5 120U has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries between the Intel Core 5 120U and the Intel Core 5 223PTE. The wins counter shows zero for both processors. This section must therefore examine the 120U's recorded performance in absolute terms and note where the 223PTE's specifications suggest potential advantages that the data cannot confirm.

The 120U's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6659 represents its strongest multi-threaded result in the Cinebench suite. Its R20 multi-core score of 5349 and R15 multi-core score of 1150.5 show progressively lower scores in older test versions, which is expected given the different workload characteristics of each Cinebench version. The single-core progression follows a similar pattern: 1756.5 in R23, 755 in R20, and 245 in R15.

Geekbench results show a multi-core score of 5888 and a single-core score of 1727. The ratio between multi-core and single-core here is approximately 3.4 to 1, indicating strong multi-threading scaling for the 10-core, 12-thread configuration.

Passmark results provide the most granular view of the 120U's capabilities. The multithread score of 15042 and single-thread score of 3479 establish the overall throughput envelope. The integer math score of 52280 exceeds the floating point math score of 36026, suggesting the processor handles integer-heavy workloads more efficiently than floating-point calculations. The extended instructions score of 9299 indicates moderate SIMD throughput. Data compression scores 166432, while data encryption scores 10453. Random string sorting scores 19060. The physics score of 937 is notably lower than the other Passmark metrics, which may reflect the test's sensitivity to specific processor features.

The 223PTE's specification sheet suggests it could challenge the 120U in certain areas. Its 5.40 GHz boost clock exceeds the 120U's 5.00 GHz boost clock by 0.40 GHz, which could translate to higher single-thread performance. Its 24 MB L3 cache doubles the 120U's 12 MB, potentially improving cache-sensitive workloads. Its 2 MB L2 cache per core exceeds the 120U's 1.25 MB per core, which could reduce memory latency in frequently accessed data patterns. The 223PTE's 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth provides a concrete bandwidth figure that the 120U lacks entirely in the database.

However, the 223PTE has fewer physical cores (8 versus 10) but more threads (16 versus 12). Its 45 W TDP allows for higher sustained power draw compared to the 120U's 15 W TDP, which could enable longer boost durations in sustained workloads. The desktop socket (Intel Socket 1700) and desktop market segment suggest the 223PTE is designed for systems with more robust cooling and power delivery than the mobile-oriented BGA 1744 socket of the 120U.

The nearest rival data for the 120U provides context for its performance tier. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT matches the 120U's average score within 0.1%, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 sits 0.5% higher. The Intel Core 5 221TE sits 0.2% lower, and the Intel Core 7 350 sits 0.7% lower. This cluster of processors within a 1.2% band suggests the 120U performs at a level comparable to several established desktop processors from both AMD and Intel, despite its mobile-oriented design and lower TDP.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core 5 120U and Intel Core 5 223PTE differ in the following recorded specifications:

Cores and Threads: The 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The 223PTE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Clock Speeds: The 120U has a 1.40 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock. The 223PTE has a 2.30 GHz base clock and 5.40 GHz boost clock.

TDP: The 120U is rated at 15 W. The 223PTE is rated at 45 W.

Socket: The 120U uses Intel BGA 1744. The 223PTE uses Intel Socket 1700.

Architecture and Codename: The 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename. The 223PTE uses Bartlett Lake architecture with the Bartlett Lake codename.

Cache: Both have 80 KB L1 cache per core. The 120U has 1.25 MB L2 per core and 12 MB shared L3. The 223PTE has 2 MB L2 per core and 24 MB shared L3.

Memory Bandwidth: The 120U has no recorded memory bandwidth. The 223PTE has 89.6 GB/s.

ECC Memory: The 120U does not support ECC memory. The 223PTE supports ECC memory.

PCIe: The 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The 223PTE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated Graphics: The 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The 223PTE uses UHD Graphics 770.

Market Segment: The 120U is a Mobile processor. The 223PTE is a Desktop processor.

Release Date: The 120U released on January 7, 2024. The 223PTE released on March 8, 2026.

Launch MSRP: The 120U has no launch MSRP recorded. The 223PTE has a launch MSRP of $232.

Part Number: The 120U has part number SRM7P. The 223PTE has part number SA4QL.

Percentile and Average Score: The 120U sits in the 72nd percentile with an average benchmark score of 17898. The 223PTE sits in the 50th percentile with an average benchmark score of 0, reflecting the absence of recorded benchmarks.

Nearest Rivals: The 120U has four nearest rivals listed. The 223PTE has no nearest rivals listed.

Both processors share the following specifications: Intel as manufacturer, 10 nm process node, Intel as foundry, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, locked multiplier (not unlocked), and Active production status.