CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 5 120U and Intel Core 7 350 are both 15 W mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows they are built for fundamentally different workloads. The Core 7 350 wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, yet the Core 5 120U claims three decisive victories in specific multi-threaded tasks. The average benchmark scores are close, 17898 for the Core 5 120U versus 17779 for the Core 7 350, placing them at the 72nd and 71st percentiles of all CPUs respectively. This split between overall parity and per-test divergence makes the choice highly dependent on the intended application.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120U dominates in integer-heavy, data-oriented workloads. Its largest margin comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 52280 versus 33734 for the Core 7 350, a 55% advantage. It also wins data compression (166432 vs 143123, a 16.3% lead) and random string sorting (19060 vs 17238, a 10.6% lead). These results point to a processor that excels at database operations, file compression, and any task that relies on rapid integer arithmetic across many threads.

The Intel Core 7 350 is the clear winner in nearly everything else. It takes all three Cinebench multi-core tests, all three Cinebench single-core tests, and the PassMark single-thread test by a wide margin. Its biggest wins come in extended instructions (12045 vs 9299, a 22.8% lead), find prime numbers (107 vs 53, a 50.5% lead), and physics (1173 vs 937, a 20.1% lead). This pattern indicates superior per-core efficiency and stronger floating-point performance. The Core 7 350 also wins the PassMark multithread test, albeit narrowly, at 15170 versus 15042.

The split is clean: the Core 5 120U is a data-crunching specialist, while the Core 7 350 is a general-purpose performer with better single-threaded and floating-point capabilities. For users running scientific simulations, 3D rendering, or single-threaded applications, the Core 7 350 is the better fit. For those handling large datasets, compression pipelines, or integer-heavy server-like tasks, the Core 5 120U holds a significant edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design lineages. The Intel Core 5 120U is built on Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-U codename) using a 10 nm process node. It features 10 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Core 7 350, in contrast, uses Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node. It has only 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

The cache hierarchy differs substantially. The Core 5 120U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 350 has more L1 per core at 192 KB, more L2 per core at 2.5 MB, but only 6 MB of shared L3. This means the Core 5 120U has twice the total L3 capacity, which helps explain its dominance in data-heavy workloads that benefit from larger shared caches.

Memory support also diverges. The Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, while the Core 7 350 supports only DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with a 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth figure. The Core 7 350 also has fewer PCIe lanes (6 vs 8) and uses a different socket (Intel BGA 1516 vs Intel BGA 1744). The integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 5 120U has Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Core 7 350 has Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

The release dates are notable. The Core 5 120U launched on 2024-01-07, while the Core 7 350 is a much newer part with a launch date of 2026-04-15. The Core 7 350 has a launch MSRP of $469, while the Core 5 120U has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results tell a story of consistent, if sometimes narrow, superiority for the Core 7 350. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1220 against 1150.5 for the Core 5 120U, a 5.7% lead. The single-core R15 gap is much larger: 292 vs 245, a 16.1% difference. In Cinebench R20, the margins shrink dramatically, multi-core is 5373 vs 5349 (0.4% lead) and single-core is 758 vs 755 (0.4% lead). The R23 results swing back to large gaps: multi-core sees 8030 vs 6659, a 17.1% lead for the Core 7 350, and single-core shows 2046 vs 1756.5, a 14.1% lead.

The PassMark suite reveals the Core 5 120U's counterattacks. Data compression is its strongest win at 166432 vs 143123, a 16.3% advantage. Integer math is an even bigger blowout: 52280 vs 33734, a 55% lead. Random string sorting adds another win at 19060 vs 17238, a 10.6% margin. The Core 7 350 wins the remaining PassMark tests, including floating-point math (42809 vs 36026, a 15.8% lead), data encryption (10933 vs 10453, a 4.4% lead), extended instructions (12045 vs 9299, a 22.8% lead), find prime numbers (107 vs 53, a 50.5% lead), physics (1173 vs 937, a 20.1% lead), and single-thread (4100 vs 3479, a 15.1% lead). The multithread test is nearly a tie at 15170 vs 15042, a 0.8% edge for the Core 7 350.

These numbers show that the Core 7 350 is not uniformly faster, it wins by huge margins in some tests and loses by huge margins in others. The Core 5 120U's 55% integer math win is the single largest margin in either direction, while the Core 7 350's 50.5% find prime numbers win is a close second.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core 7 350 |

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

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 12 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 59.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $469 |

| Part Number | SRM7P | SAE3F |

The core count disparity is the most obvious difference: 10 cores and 12 threads versus 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core 7 350 has no hyper-threading, which is unusual for a modern processor. The process node difference (10 nm vs 3 nm) likely explains the Core 7 350's superior per-core performance despite lower boost clock. The memory bus difference (dual-channel vs single-channel) may explain why the Core 5 120U wins bandwidth-sensitive tasks like data compression.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The Core 7 350 wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (1220 vs 1150.5), R20 multi-core (5373 vs 5349), and R23 multi-core (8030 vs 6659), but the Core 5 120U wins PassMark data compression (166432 vs 143123) and integer math (52280 vs 33734). The PassMark multithread test is nearly tied at 15170 vs 15042 for the Core 7 350.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the Core 5 120U scores 52280 against 33734 for the Core 7 350, a 55% lead. The second-largest is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 7 350 scores 107 against 53, a 50.5% lead.

Q: How do they compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Core 7 350 wins every single-threaded test. In Cinebench R15, it scores 292 vs 245 (16.1% lead). In R20, it scores 758 vs 755 (0.4% lead). In R23, it scores 2046 vs 1756.5 (14.1% lead). In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4100 vs 3479 (15.1% lead).

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Core 5 120U has more L3 cache at 12 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared for the Core 7 350. However, the Core 7 350 has more L1 cache per core (192 KB vs 80 KB) and more L2 cache per core (2.5 MB vs 1.25 MB).

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus. The Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus, with a listed memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The Intel Core 7 350 has a release date of 2026-04-15, while the Intel Core 5 120U was released on 2024-01-07. The Core 7 350 also has a launch MSRP of $469.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation based on workload. For general-purpose mobile computing, the Intel Core 7 350 is the stronger choice. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, dominates all Cinebench tests, and leads in single-threaded performance by double-digit margins in most tests. Its 3 nm process node, higher per-core cache, and newer architecture deliver better efficiency per core, which shows in the physics and floating-point scores.

The Intel Core 5 120U is the specialist's pick. Its 55% lead in integer math and 16.3% lead in data compression make it the better option for tasks that process large volumes of structured data. The dual-channel memory bus and larger L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB) support this profile. However, its lower single-thread scores and weaker floating-point performance mean it cannot match the Core 7 350 in rendering, simulation, or typical office productivity.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 17898 vs 17779, but they mask the divergent strengths. The Core 7 350 is the safer all-around recommendation for most users, while the Core 5 120U justifies its existence only in data-centric workloads where its specific wins matter more than the overall benchmark average. The choice is not about which CPU is faster overall, but which type of speed is needed.