Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 7 251E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core 5 120U and the Intel Core 7 251E is one-sided in the database, though direct head-to-head measurements are absent. The Core 5 120U carries a full suite of recorded benchmark scores, while the Core 7 251E has no benchmark entries listed, resulting in a 0-to-0 win tally in the head-to-head table. However, the performance profile of the Core 5 120U can be positioned against its nearest rivals to contextualize its standing.

The Core 5 120U records a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6659 and a single-core score of 1756.5. In Cinebench R20, it posts 5349 multi-core and 755 single-core. Geekbench measurements show 5888 multi-core and 1727 single-core. PassMark results include 15042 multi-thread, 3479 single-thread, 52280 integer math, 36026 floating point math, 166432 data compression, 10453 data encryption, 9299 extended instructions, 937 physics, and 19060 random string sorting. The average benchmark score for the Core 5 120U is 17898, placing it at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Against its nearest rivals, the Core 5 120U sits essentially level with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, which averages 17891, a delta of 0 percent. It is within 0.2 percent of the Intel Core 5 221TE (17860) and 0.7 percent of the Intel Core 7 350 (17779). It trails the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 by 0.5 percent, which averages 17994. These deltas indicate that the Core 5 120U delivers performance in the same band as these desktop-oriented processors despite being a mobile part.

The absence of benchmarks for the Core 7 251E means the database cannot quantify its performance relative to the Core 5 120U. The Core 7 251E shows a 50th percentile standing with an average benchmark score of 0, indicating no recorded data. Readers should note that the Core 7 251E's percentile reflects its position among all CPUs based on existing entries, but without scores, no direct numerical comparison can be made.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in core architecture and platform design. The Intel Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It contains 10 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 7 251E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, also on a 10 nm process node, but packs 24 cores and 32 threads. The die size for the Core 7 251E is 257 mm², while the Core 5 120U has no die size recorded.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. Both share an L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the Core 5 120U versus 2 MB per core on the Core 7 251E. The shared L3 cache jumps from 12 MB on the Core 5 120U to 36 MB on the Core 7 251E. This larger cache pool on the Core 7 251E likely supports its higher core count and desktop workload profile.

Clock speeds favor the Core 7 251E. Its base clock is 2.10 GHz with a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, compared to the Core 5 120U's base of 1.40 GHz and boost of 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power differs markedly: the Core 5 120U is rated at 15 W, while the Core 7 251E draws 65 W. This reflects their intended market segments: mobile for the Core 5 120U, desktop for the Core 7 251E.

Memory support is identical in type, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The Core 7 251E adds an explicit memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s, which the Core 5 120U lacks in the database. ECC memory support also separates them: the Core 7 251E supports ECC, while the Core 5 120U does not.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count. The Core 5 120U offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Core 7 251E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770.

Sockets are incompatible. The Core 5 120U mounts on Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile socket, while the Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop LGA socket. The release dates are roughly one year apart: the Core 5 120U launched on 2024-01-07, and the Core 7 251E on 2025-01-12. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Core 5 120U runs at 1.40 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. The Core 7 251E runs at 2.10 GHz base and 5.60 GHz boost.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The Core 7 251E additionally supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 120U does not.

Q: What is the thermal design power for each?

A: The Core 5 120U is rated at 15 W, and the Core 7 251E is rated at 65 W.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Core 7 251E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 12 MB on the Core 5 120U.

Q: Are the sockets interchangeable?

A: No. The Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, and the Core 7 251E uses Intel Socket 1700.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear divergences across nearly every field. Core count differs: 10 for the Core 5 120U versus 24 for the Core 7 251E. Threads differ: 12 versus 32. Base clock: 1.40 GHz versus 2.10 GHz. Boost clock: 5.00 GHz versus 5.60 GHz. TDP: 15 W versus 65 W. Socket: Intel BGA 1744 versus Intel Socket 1700.

Architecture and codename differ: Raptor Lake with Raptor Lake-U for the Core 5 120U, versus no architecture listed and Bartlett Lake codename for the Core 7 251E. Process node is the same at 10 nm for both, but die size is only recorded for the Core 7 251E at 257 mm². L2 cache per core is 1.25 MB versus 2 MB. L3 cache is 12 MB shared versus 36 MB shared. Memory bandwidth is not listed for the Core 5 120U but is 89.6 GB/s for the Core 7 251E. ECC memory support is false for the Core 5 120U and true for the Core 7 251E. PCIe is Gen 4 with 8 lanes versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU versus UHD Graphics 770. Market segment is Mobile versus Desktop. Release date is 2024-01-07 versus 2025-01-12. The Core 7 251E has a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core 5 120U has no listed launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120U wins in mobility and efficiency. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light notebooks, and its BGA 1744 socket confirms a soldered, integrated design. The database shows its benchmark scores are competitive with desktop processors like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 7 350, with deltas of 0 percent and 0.7 percent respectively. This indicates strong multi-threaded and single-threaded capability for a mobile chip, with Cinebench R23 multi-core at 6659 and Geekbench multi-core at 5888.

The Intel Core 7 251E wins in raw core count, thread count, cache capacity, and platform connectivity. Its 24 cores and 32 threads, 36 MB L3 cache, 5.60 GHz boost clock, and 65 W TDP position it for desktop workloads that scale with parallelism. Its PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes provides a wider, faster interface for expansion. ECC memory support adds reliability for error-sensitive tasks. The larger L2 cache per core at 2 MB and explicit 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth further differentiate it for data-intensive applications.

In terms of integrated graphics, the Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, which is a more capable GPU tier than the UHD Graphics 770 found in the Core 7 251E, based on the database listing. However, the Core 7 251E targets desktop systems where discrete graphics are common, reducing reliance on integrated output.

The Verdict

The data indicates two processors built for different roles. The Intel Core 5 120U delivers mobile-class efficiency with a 15 W TDP, a 5.00 GHz boost clock, and benchmark scores at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 17898 places it in the same performance class as the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 7 350, making it a strong choice for portable systems that need desktop-like responsiveness.

The Intel Core 7 251E, with no recorded benchmark scores, cannot be quantitatively assessed against the Core 5 120U in the database. Its 24 cores, 32 threads, 36 MB L3 cache, 5.60 GHz boost, and 65 W TDP indicate a high-throughput desktop processor. Its PCIe Gen 5 support, ECC memory, and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth target professional and server-adjacent workloads.

Users requiring a low-power mobile processor with proven benchmark results should select the Core 5 120U. Users needing maximum core counts, cache, and platform bandwidth for desktop builds should consider the Core 7 251E, noting that its performance data remains unrecorded in the database. The launch MSRP for the Core 7 251E is $384, which the database lists as its only pricing reference. The Core 5 120U has no launch MSRP on record.