Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE dominates multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 31288 versus 6659 for the Intel Core 5 120U, a delta of -78.7% from the Core 5's perspective.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Core 9 273PE leads in every single-core test, but the margin varies. In PassMark single-thread, the Core 9 scores 3650 against 3479 for the Core 5 120U, a modest 4.7% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap is much larger: 4417 versus 1756.5, a 60.2% lead.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120U does not have ECC support.

Q: What is the difference in cache capacity?

A: The Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core 9 273PE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core.

Q: What are the release dates for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U was released on January 7, 2024. The Intel Core 9 273PE was released on March 8, 2026.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 120U and Intel Core 9 273PE represent different design philosophies within Intel's lineup. The Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It is a mobile-focused part, using the Intel BGA 1744 socket, which indicates a soldered, low-power design intended for thin laptops and ultraportables.

The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, also built on a 10 nm process node. However, this is a desktop-class processor using the Intel Socket 1700, a socketed platform that allows for more substantial power delivery and cooling. The market segments confirm this: the Core 5 120U is listed as Mobile, while the Core 9 273PE is listed as Desktop.

The core configurations differ substantially. The Core 5 120U offers 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core 9 273PE offers 12 cores and 24 threads. The thread count difference is more than proportional to the core count difference, indicating a different threading implementation. The Core 9 273PE also clocks higher, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, compared to the Core 5 120U's 1.40 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies diverge as well. The Core 5 120U has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 9 273PE has 2 MB of L2 per core and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache difference is significant, with the Core 9 having three times the shared cache capacity.

Memory and I/O features also separate the two. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode. The Core 9 273PE lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Core 5 120U does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. The Core 9 supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 does not. PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 5 120U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730. The production status for both is listed as Active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a one-sided contest. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons, with the Core 5 120U recording zero wins. The magnitude of the victories, however, varies considerably by workload.

The largest gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Core 9 273PE scores 31288 against 6659 for the Core 5 120U, a 78.7% deficit for the Core 5. This is the most extreme delta in the entire comparison set. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 13140 versus 5349, a 59.3% difference.

Single-core performance in Cinebench also heavily favors the Core 9. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 9 scores 4417 against 1756.5, a 60.2% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1855 versus 755, again a 59.3% difference. Cinebench R15 single-core is somewhat closer in percentage terms: 445 versus 245, a 44.9% lead for the Core 9.

The PassMark suite reveals a range of deltas. The smallest gap in the entire dataset is in PassMark single-thread tests, where the Core 9 273PE scores 3650 versus 3479 for the Core 5 120U, just a 4.7% difference. This suggests that in lightly threaded, short-duration tasks, the two processors are relatively close.

The largest PassMark gap is in find prime numbers, where the Core 9 scores 203 against 53, a 73.9% advantage. Floating point math also shows a large gap: 107884 versus 36026, a 66.6% difference. Integer math favors the Core 9 by 62.5%, with scores of 139410 and 52280.

Compression and encryption workloads follow the same trend. Data compression scores are 405885 for the Core 9 and 166432 for the Core 5, a 59% delta. Data encryption scores are 22719 and 10453, a 54% delta. Extended instructions show 24630 versus 9299, a 62.2% gap. Random string sorting shows 45098 versus 19060, a 57.7% difference. Physics scores are 3120 versus 937, a 70% lead for the Core 9. The multithread PassMark score is 36810 versus 15042, a 59.1% difference.

The average benchmark score reinforces the hierarchy. The Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845, while the Core 5 120U has 17898. The Core 9 sits at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 sits at the 72nd percentile.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 9 273PE is in a different performance class entirely, as reflected by its 90th percentile ranking versus the 72nd percentile of the Core 5 120U. The average benchmark score of 49845 for the Core 9 is nearly three times the 17898 of the Core 5.

The Core 9 273PE is positioned among much stronger competitors. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 with an average score of 49796 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Core i5-14600KF with 49394 and a delta of 0.9%, and the Intel Core i9-13980HX with 50398 and a delta of -1.1%. This places the Core 9 in the company of high-end desktop and mobile HX-series parts.

The Core 5 120U, by contrast, is grouped with mid-range processors. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891 and a delta of 0%, the Intel Core 5 221TE with 17860 and a delta of 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 with 17994 and a delta of -0.5%. The Core 7 350 is also nearby with 17779 and a delta of 0.7%.

For users requiring heavy multi-threaded workloads, the Core 9 273PE is the clear choice based on the recorded data. The 24-thread configuration and 36 MB of L3 cache deliver multi-core scores that are roughly four to five times higher than the Core 5 120U in Cinebench tests. The Core 9 also provides ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, features absent from the Core 5.

For users prioritizing low-power mobile operation, the Core 5 120U is the only viable option between the two, as it is designed for the BGA 1744 mobile socket with a 15 TDP. The Core 9 273PE, with a 65 TDP and desktop socket, is not suitable for portable systems. The single-thread PassMark results, where the Core 9 leads by only 4.7%, suggest that the Core 5 delivers competitive responsiveness in basic single-threaded tasks despite its much lower power envelope.

The Core 9 273PE carries a launch MSRP of $549, while the Core 5 120U has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers and are currently listed as Active in production.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights the specification fields where the two processors differ, based solely on recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core 9 273PE |

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

| Cores | 10 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 | 65 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) | Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) |

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

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

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

| ECC Memory | false | true |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $549 |

| Part Number | SRM7P | SA4QD |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 17898 | 49845 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 72 | 90 |