Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i7-8700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core i7-8700, a desktop part from 2017, and the Intel Core 5 120U, a mobile processor from 2024, trade blows in unexpected ways. Of the 19 recorded head-to-head comparisons, the Core 5 120U takes 14 wins, while the i7-8700 manages 5. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story.

The Core 5 120U dominates in single-threaded workloads, and the margins are substantial. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core 5 120U scores 245 against the i7-8700's 153, a 37.6% advantage. The PassMark single-thread test shows a 24.4% lead (3479 versus 2629), and Geekbench single-core shows a 10.9% gap (1727 versus 1538). The Cinebench R20 single-core result shows a 15.1% lead, and R23 single-core shows a 13% lead. This is a consistent pattern: the newer architecture simply has far stronger per-core performance.

Multi-threaded results are more complex. The Core 5 120U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 5.2% (1150.5 versus 1091) and R20 multi-core by 15% (5349 versus 4548). Yet in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-8700 wins decisively with 10829 versus 6659, a 62.6% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison. The Geekbench multi-core test also goes to the i7-8700, with 6519 versus 5888, a 10.7% lead. The discrepancy between Cinebench R20 and R23 is striking, suggesting the two processors respond very differently to the longer R23 workload.

The PassMark suite shows a similarly mixed picture. The Core 5 120U wins in data encryption by a massive 57.1% (10453 versus 4488), floating point math by 22.7% (36026 versus 27839), integer math by 14.2% (52280 versus 44881), multithread by 15.2% (15042 versus 12756), physics by 21.9% (937 versus 732), and find prime numbers by 34% (53 versus 35). The i7-8700 fights back in data compression with a 12.4% win (187009 versus 166432), extended instructions with a 33.7% win (12432 versus 9299), and random string sorting with a 25.7% win (23963 versus 19060).

The overall average benchmark scores are close. The i7-8700 sits at 18223, the Core 5 120U at 17898. Both processors land in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the i7-8700 include the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E (0% delta), the AMD EPYC 9274F (0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i7-9700 (0.2% delta). The Core 5 120U sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0% delta), the Intel Core 5 221TE (0.2% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (-0.5% delta).

The Verdict

The data points to two very different usage profiles. The Intel Core i7-8700 is the stronger choice for sustained multi-core workloads that resemble Cinebench R23, where it leads by 62.6%. It also wins in data compression, extended instruction workloads, and random string sorting. The Core 5 120U, meanwhile, is the clear winner for single-threaded tasks, encryption, floating point math, and general multithreaded throughput as measured by PassMark.

The desktop i7-8700 was launched with a launch MSRP of $303 and is now end-of-life. The Core 5 120U is an active mobile part with a TDP of 15 watts, versus 65 watts for the i7-8700. Anyone choosing between these should consider that the Core 5 120U delivers strong single-core performance and encryption throughput while drawing far less power. The i7-8700 remains competitive in certain throughput tasks, particularly the longer multi-core render workload and compression.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i7-8700 uses Coffee Lake, built on a 14 nm process node. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake-U, built on a 10 nm process node. The process shrink is significant, and it shows in the power envelope and clock behavior.

The i7-8700 has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Core 5 120U has more physical cores but the same thread count, which suggests a hybrid arrangement with efficiency cores that do not add additional threads.

Cache configurations differ notably. The i7-8700 provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 120U provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, also with 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the Core 5 120U is a clear architectural advancement.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-8700 includes UHD Graphics 630, while the Core 5 120U includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i7-8700 supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory. The i7-8700 has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Core 5 120U has no recorded bandwidth figure. The i7-8700 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Core 5 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

The socket situation differs completely. The i7-8700 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop platform. The Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile package. The die size for the i7-8700 is 154 mm², while no die size is recorded for the Core 5 120U.

Specification Differences

The core count differs: 6 cores for the i7-8700 versus 10 cores for the Core 5 120U. Thread count is identical at 12. Base clocks differ substantially, 3.20 GHz versus 1.40 GHz. Boost clocks differ, 4.60 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: 65 watts versus 15 watts.

The process node differs, 14 nm versus 10 nm. The L1 cache per core differs, 64 KB versus 80 KB. The L2 cache per core differs dramatically, 256 KB versus 1.25 MB. The L3 cache is the same at 12 MB shared.

Memory support differs: DDR4 only versus DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded for the i7-8700 at 42.7 GB/s, with no figure for the Core 5 120U. PCIe generation and lanes differ: Gen 3 with 16 lanes versus Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 630 versus Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.

Market segment differs: Desktop versus Mobile. Production status differs: End-of-life versus Active. Release dates differ: October 2017 versus January 2024. The i7-8700 has a launch MSRP of $303, while the Core 5 120U has no recorded launch MSRP. Both have locked multipliers. Part numbers are SR3QS for the i7-8700 and SRM7P for the Core 5 120U.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-8700 boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: Why does the Core 5 120U win Cinebench R20 multi-core but lose Cinebench R23 multi-core so badly?

A: The recorded data shows the Core 5 120U wins R20 multi-core by 15% (5349 versus 4548), but the i7-8700 wins R23 multi-core by 62.6% (10829 versus 6659). The two workloads clearly stress the processors differently, with the longer R23 test favoring the desktop chip.

Q: Do both processors have the same amount of L3 cache?

A: Yes, both have 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The L1 and L2 caches differ per core, with the Core 5 120U having 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, versus 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core for the i7-8700.

Q: Which chip supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel Core i7-8700 supports only DDR4.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core 5 120U has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor has a better single-core Cinebench R15 score?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U scores 245 versus 153 for the i7-8700, a 37.6% advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120U is the choice for single-threaded performance. It wins every single-core benchmark in the comparison: Cinebench R15 by 37.6%, R20 by 15.1%, R23 by 13%, Geekbench by 10.9%, and PassMark single-thread by 24.4%. It also dominates in encryption, with a 57.1% lead in PassMark data encryption. Floating point math goes to the Core 5 120U by 22.7%, integer math by 14.2%, physics by 21.9%, and prime number finding by 34%. The PassMark multithread test also favors the mobile chip by 15.2%. The Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests go to the Core 5 120U as well, by 5.2% and 15% respectively.

The Intel Core i7-8700 wins the workloads that favor sustained desktop throughput. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is its strongest showing, a 62.6% lead. Geekbench multi-core goes to the i7-8700 by 10.7%. Data compression favors the i7-8700 by 12.4%, extended instructions by 33.7%, and random string sorting by 25.7%.

In practical terms, the Core 5 120U suits workloads that are short, bursty, and single-threaded, or that rely on encryption and math throughput. The i7-8700 suits longer multi-threaded renders, compression tasks, and string sorting workloads. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 18223 versus 17898, so the choice comes down to workload shape rather than overall capability. The 15 watt TDP of the Core 5 120U makes it the obvious choice for mobile systems, while the 65 watt desktop i7-8700 remains relevant for specific throughput tasks. Both sit at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, confirming that despite the generational gap, they land in the same performance tier overall.