Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i5-1334U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database presents a clear split between these two Raptor Lake-U mobile processors. The Intel Core i5-1334U and Intel Core 5 120U share the same core topology, socket, and process node, but their performance profiles diverge sharply depending on the workload. The Core i5-1334U wins decisively in two specific Cinebench multicore tests, while the Core 5 120U claims victory in 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The data shows the Core 5 120U is the more consistent all-round performer, particularly in single-threaded and PassMark workloads, despite the Core i5-1334U's strong showing in certain render-style tests.

For users prioritizing Cinebench R15 multicore or Cinebench R23 multicore results, the Core i5-1334U is the clear choice. It leads by 36.4% in R15 multicore and by 29.8% in R23 multicore, which suggests a substantial advantage in workloads that scale across all cores under those specific test conditions. However, the Core 5 120U counters with a 13.3% lead in Cinebench R20 multicore, creating an unusual inconsistency across the same benchmark family.

For everyday computing, productivity, encryption, compression, and general multitasking, the Core 5 120U is the stronger pick. It wins PassMark multithread by 10.8%, PassMark single-thread by 3.9%, and delivers superior scores across every PassMark subtest in the database. The Core 5 120U also posts a 22.9% advantage in PassMark physics and a 26.4% lead in prime number finding, indicating stronger sustained throughput in integer-heavy and simulation-style tasks.

Both processors sit at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database, and their average benchmark scores are close: the Core i5-1334U averages 18154, while the Core 5 120U averages 17898. The nearest rivals for the Core i5-1334U include the AMD Ryzen 3 8300G, AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, Intel Core i7-1365U, and Intel Core i7-9700, each within 0.1% of its average score. The Core 5 120U sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, Intel Core 5 221TE, AMD Ryzen 5 1600, and Intel Core 7 350, with deltas ranging from -0.5% to 0.7%. This places both chips in a crowded mid-range mobile segment where small workload-specific differences decide the winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-1334U reaches 4.60 GHz. The Core 5 120U also has a higher base clock at 1.40 GHz compared to 1.30 GHz on the Core i5-1334U.

Q: Do these processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both feature 10 cores and 12 threads. They also share identical cache configurations: 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different between the two?

A: No, both use Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units.

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core i5-1334U wins only 2: Cinebench R15 multicore and Cinebench R23 multicore.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-1334U has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 18154 compared to 17898 for the Core 5 120U, a difference of roughly 1.4% in favor of the Core i5-1334U.

Q: What is the release timing difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-1334U launched on 2023-01-03 with a launch MSRP of $340. The Intel Core 5 120U launched on 2024-01-07, approximately one year later, with no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node. They share the same Intel BGA 1744 socket and use the identical core configuration of 10 cores and 12 threads. The cache hierarchy is also identical: 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

The architectural distinction lies in clock behavior and generation naming. The Core i5-1334U belongs to the Core i5 generation under Raptor Lake-U, while the Core 5 120U carries the newer "Core 5" branding under the same Raptor Lake-U codename. Despite the naming difference, the underlying silicon appears closely related, as both use the same integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), same memory support (DDR4 and DDR5), same dual-channel memory bus, and same PCIe configuration (Gen 4, 8 lanes CPU only).

Neither processor supports ECC memory nor has an unlocked multiplier. Both are listed as Active production status and target the Mobile market segment. The part numbers differ: SRML5 for the Core i5-1334U and SRM7P for the Core 5 120U.

The key architectural differentiator is the clock speed profile. The Core 5 120U runs its base clock at 1.40 GHz and boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Core i5-1334U runs at 1.30 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. This 400 MHz boost advantage for the Core 5 120U likely explains its consistent single-threaded and PassMark superiority, while the Core i5-1334U's wins in certain Cinebench multicore tests suggest different power management or boost behavior under sustained all-core loads.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show only a few fields where these two processors differ. The base clock is 1.30 GHz for the Core i5-1334U versus 1.40 GHz for the Core 5 120U. The boost clock is 4.60 GHz for the Core i5-1334U versus 5.00 GHz for the Core 5 120U. The generation label reads "Core i5 (Raptor Lake-U)" for the former and "Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U)" for the latter.

The release dates differ: 2023-01-03 for the Core i5-1334U and 2024-01-07 for the Core 5 120U. The launch MSRP is recorded as $340 for the Core i5-1334U, while the Core 5 120U has no launch MSRP in the database. The part numbers also differ, with SRML5 assigned to the Core i5-1334U and SRM7P to the Core 5 120U.

All other specification fields are identical: 10 cores, 12 threads, 15 W TDP, Intel BGA 1744 socket, Raptor Lake architecture, 10 nm process, identical cache hierarchy, DDR4/DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, Gen 4 PCIe with 8 lanes, Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, Mobile market segment, Active production status, and locked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a lopsided overall result. The Core 5 120U wins 15 of 17 comparisons, but the Core i5-1334U's two wins are substantial and worth examining closely.

The Core i5-1334U's biggest victory comes in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it scores 1569 against the Core 5 120U's 1150.5, a 36.4% advantage. This is the largest delta in any benchmark in the comparison. The Core i5-1334U also wins Cinebench R23 multicore with 8641 versus 6659, a 29.8% lead. These results suggest the Core i5-1334U sustains better all-core performance in these specific render workloads.

The Core 5 120U counters with its own notable wins. In Cinebench R20 multicore, it scores 5349 against 4638, a 13.3% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it posts 755 versus 654, a 13.4% advantage. The Core 5 120U also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by a narrow margin (245 versus 241, 1.6%) and Cinebench R23 single-core (1756.5 versus 1727, 1.7%).

In PassMark suite results, the Core 5 120U dominates across the board. The largest PassMark wins include prime number finding (53 versus 39, 26.4% ahead), physics (937 versus 722, 22.9% ahead), random string sorting (19060 versus 16933, 11.2% ahead), and multithread (15042 versus 13410, 10.8% ahead). Data encryption shows a 10.3% advantage (10453 versus 9377), data compression a 9.5% edge (166432 versus 150568), and extended instructions a 7.9% lead (9299 versus 8563).

Smaller but consistent PassMark wins for the Core 5 120U include floating point math (36026 versus 34474, 4.3%), single-thread (3479 versus 3345, 3.9%), and integer math (52280 versus 50374, 3.6%). The database also lists Geekbench results for the Core 5 120U only, with multicore at 5888 and single-core at 1727; no comparable Geekbench data exists for the Core i5-1334U in the recorded measurements.

The overall pattern indicates a processor split by workload type. The Core i5-1334U excels specifically in Cinebench R15 and R23 multicore rendering, while the Core 5 120U demonstrates broad superiority in single-threaded tasks, PassMark arithmetic, compression, encryption, and physics simulations. The average benchmark scores remain close (18154 versus 17898), and both processors land at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, making them comparable mid-range mobile options with different strength profiles.