Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 7 360 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core 7 360, which wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Core 5 120U takes only 4 wins, but those wins are substantial in specific workloads. The most dramatic margin in the entire comparison appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 7 360 scores 13634 against the Core 5 120U's 6659, a delta of -51.2% from the Core 5's perspective. That is more than double the multi-core rendering performance, and it sets the tone for the entire benchmark set.

The Core 7 360 also leads in the other Cinebench multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1374 versus 1150.5, a 16.3% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the margin narrows to 6.6%: 5726 versus 5349. Single-core Cinebench results are closer but still favor the Core 7 360 except for the R15 test. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core 5 120U wins with 245 versus 193, a 26.9% lead. However, in Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core 7 360 takes 808 versus 755 (6.6% ahead), and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1924 versus 1756.5 (8.7% ahead).

PassMark results split the two chips along workload type. The Core 7 360 dominates in floating-point math, scoring 44963 versus 36026, a 19.9% lead. It also leads in extended instructions (12390 versus 9299, a 24.9% gap), find prime numbers (120 versus 53, a 55.8% gap), physics (1213 versus 937, a 22.8% gap), and data encryption (11164 versus 10453, a 6.4% gap). The single-thread PassMark score favors the Core 7 360 by 18.6%, with 4274 versus 3479. The multithread PassMark score is close: 15544 versus 15042, only a 3.2% lead for the Core 7 360.

The Core 5 120U wins where integer and data-heavy operations matter. In PassMark integer math, it scores 52280 versus 34238, a massive 52.7% lead. In data compression, it scores 166432 versus 142877, a 16.5% lead. In random string sorting, it scores 19060 versus 17636, an 8.1% lead. These are not trivial margins; the integer math result is the second-largest delta in the entire comparison, trailing only the Cinebench R23 multi-core gap.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 7 360 is the clear choice for multi-threaded compute workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 13634 against 6659 indicates that rendering, video encoding, and other heavily parallel tasks will finish in roughly half the time on the Core 7 360. The physics score of 1213 versus 937 suggests an advantage in simulation or game physics calculations. The floating-point math score of 44963 versus 36026 similarly points to strength in scientific or engineering calculations that rely on FPU throughput.

The Core 5 120U wins in integer-heavy and data-transformation tasks. The PassMark integer math score of 52280 versus 34238 is a commanding lead, indicating strong performance in compression, archiving, database operations, and other workloads that process large amounts of data without heavy floating-point math. The data compression score of 166432 versus 142877 confirms this pattern, and the random string sorting score of 19060 versus 17636 adds another data-processing win. Users who work with spreadsheets, log analysis, or file compression would see the Core 5 120U perform competitively or better.

The single-thread picture is mixed. The Core 7 360 wins the two most modern Cinebench single-core tests (R20 and R23) and the PassMark single-thread test, but the Core 5 120U wins the older Cinebench R15 single-core test by a wide 26.9% margin. This suggests the Core 5 120U has an advantage in legacy single-threaded applications, while the Core 7 360 is better suited to current software.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design approaches. The Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, with 10 cores and 12 threads. The Core 7 360 uses Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm process, with 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core 7 360 has no hyper-threading, while the Core 5 120U supports it, which explains why the Core 5 120U has 12 threads from 10 cores while the Core 7 360 has only 6 threads from 6 cores.

The core count difference is significant. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores versus 6 on the Core 7 360, yet the Core 7 360 achieves substantially higher multi-core scores in Cinebench R23. This indicates that the 3 nm Wildcat Lake cores are far more efficient per core than the 10 nm Raptor Lake cores, or that the Core 7 360 operates at higher sustained clocks. The base clock of the Core 7 360 is 1.50 GHz versus 1.40 GHz on the Core 5 120U, and the boost clock is 4.80 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, so the Core 5 120U has a higher peak frequency but the Core 7 360 still wins most benchmarks.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Core 5 120U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 360 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 360 has larger per-core caches but half the total L3, which reflects its lower core count. The L2 cache on the Core 7 360 is double that of the Core 5 120U per core, which may contribute to its single-thread performance advantage.

Memory support also differs. The Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The Core 7 360 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core 5 120U has no listed bandwidth figure but benefits from dual-channel access. PCIe support differs as well: the Core 5 120U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 360 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The Core 7 360 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The sockets are different: the Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, and the Core 7 360 uses Intel BGA 1516, making them non-interchangeable on any given motherboard.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyper-threading support.

Q: Why does the Core 7 360 win multi-core benchmarks despite having fewer cores?

A: The Core 7 360 uses Wildcat Lake architecture on a 3 nm process, while the Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake on 10 nm. The Core 7 360 scores 13634 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 6659 for the Core 5 120U, indicating much higher per-core performance.

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The Core 7 360 leads in Cinebench R20 single-core (808 versus 755), Cinebench R23 single-core (1924 versus 1756.5), and PassMark single-thread (4274 versus 3479). The Core 5 120U wins only in Cinebench R15 single-core (245 versus 193).

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. The Core 7 360 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.

Q: Which processor wins in integer-heavy workloads?

A: The Core 5 120U wins PassMark integer math with 52280 versus 34238, a 52.7% lead. It also wins data compression (166432 versus 142877) and random string sorting (19060 versus 17636).

Q: Are the two processors socket-compatible?

A: No. The Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, and the Core 7 360 uses Intel BGA 1516. They cannot be installed in the same motherboard.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core 7 360 is the stronger processor for most workloads. It wins 13 of 17 benchmark comparisons, including all Cinebench multi-core tests and the majority of single-core tests. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 13634 versus 6659 is a decisive victory that makes the Core 7 360 the clear pick for rendering, video encoding, and other compute-intensive parallel tasks. Its 3 nm process node and newer Wildcat Lake architecture deliver more performance from fewer cores, and the larger per-core L1 and L2 caches support strong single-thread performance.

The Intel Core 5 120U remains relevant for users whose workloads are integer-heavy and data-centric. The 52.7% lead in PassMark integer math, the 16.5% lead in data compression, and the 8.1% lead in random string sorting show that it handles data transformation tasks more efficiently. Its 10 cores and 12 threads provide ample parallelism for legacy applications, and the dual-channel memory support may benefit certain workloads despite the lack of a recorded bandwidth figure.

For a laptop buyer choosing between the two, the Core 7 360 is the better default recommendation. It offers superior multi-core performance across every Cinebench version tested, better floating-point math, better encryption throughput, and better single-thread performance in current benchmarks. The Core 5 120U is the specialized choice for integer-processing and data-compression workloads, where its advantages are substantial and consistent. Both processors carry a 15 W TDP, so power consumption is identical, but the Core 7 360 delivers more performance per watt in most tests. The Core 5 120U has a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, but that does not translate into benchmark wins outside of the single Cinebench R15 single-core test and the integer-heavy PassMark tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every architectural specification. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 1.40 GHz for the Core 5 120U and 1.50 GHz for the Core 7 360. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz for the Core 5 120U and 4.80 GHz for the Core 7 360. Both have a 15 W TDP.

The process nodes differ: 10 nm for the Core 5 120U and 3 nm for the Core 7 360. The architectures also differ: Raptor Lake for the Core 5 120U, Wildcat Lake for the Core 7 360. Cache configurations are different across all levels: L1 is 80 KB per core on the Core 5 120U versus 192 KB per core on the Core 7 360; L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core; L3 is 12 MB shared versus 6 MB shared.

Memory support differs: the Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel, while the Core 7 360 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. PCIe support differs: Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the Core 5 120U, Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 7 360. Integrated graphics differ: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for the Core 5 120U, Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) for the Core 7 360.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1744 for the Core 5 120U, Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 7 360. The Core 7 360 has a launch MSRP of $426. The Core 5 120U has no listed launch MSRP. Release dates differ: the Core 5 120U launched on 2024-01-07, and the Core 7 360 launched on 2026-04-15. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Both are active production parts with no ECC memory support.