Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i7-9700 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U leads in every single-core test in the database. It posts a 245 score in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 159 for the i7-9700, a 755 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 664, and a 1756.5 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1581. PassMark single-thread results show 3479 versus 2756, a 20.8% advantage.

Q: Does the older i7-9700 win any multi-core benchmarks?

A: Yes. The i7-9700 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 11200 versus 6659, a 68.2% margin. It also wins Geekbench multi-core with 6800 versus 5888, a 15.5% advantage. However, the Core 5 120U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (1150.5 versus 1128), Cinebench R20 multi-core (5349 versus 4704), and PassMark multithread (15042 versus 13223).

Q: How do the two compare in overall average benchmark scores?

A: The i7-9700 has an average benchmark score of 18180, while the Core 5 120U averages 17898. Both sit in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database, meaning they are statistically near-identical in aggregate performance.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The i7-9700 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Core 5 120U therefore has two additional cores and four additional threads.

Q: Which processor uses a newer manufacturing process?

A: The Core 5 120U uses a 10 nm process node, while the i7-9700 uses 14 nm. The Core 5 120U also belongs to the Raptor Lake architecture, whereas the i7-9700 is based on Coffee Lake.

Q: What are the production statuses of these chips?

A: The i7-9700 is end-of-life, with a release date of 2019-04-22. The Core 5 120U is active in production, with a release date of 2024-01-07.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and design philosophies. The i7-9700 is a desktop part based on the Coffee Lake architecture, manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process. It uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform and is part of the Core i7 lineup from the Coffee Lake Refresh generation. The Core 5 120U is a mobile processor built on the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-U, fabricated on a 10 nm process. It uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and belongs to the Core 5 series.

The i7-9700 offers 8 cores and 8 threads, all of the same type, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Core 5 120U provides 10 cores and 12 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration with performance and efficiency cores, running at a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The higher boost clock on the Core 5 120U directly contributes to its superior single-core results.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The i7-9700 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 120U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and the same 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L2 cache on the Core 5 120U is notable for workloads that benefit from fast local data access.

Memory support differs as well. The i7-9700 supports DDR4 memory only, with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, though its memory bandwidth figure is not recorded in the database. The Core 5 120U also features PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-9700 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ significantly. The i7-9700 includes UHD Graphics 630, while the Core 5 120U features Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The newer Iris Xe solution is expected to offer superior graphics performance, though no benchmark numbers for graphics are present in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records 19 head-to-head comparisons between these two processors, with the Core 5 120U winning 14 and the i7-9700 winning 5. The single-core story is unambiguous: the Core 5 120U wins every single-threaded test by substantial margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it leads by 35.1%. In Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core, it leads by 12.1% and 10% respectively. Geekbench single-core shows a 9.7% advantage, and PassMark single-thread shows a 20.8% advantage. The 5.00 GHz boost clock versus 4.70 GHz is clearly reflected in these results.

The multi-core picture is more nuanced. The i7-9700 dominates Cinebench R23 multi-core with a 68.2% lead, scoring 11200 versus 6659. This is the largest single delta in the entire comparison. The i7-9700 also wins Geekbench multi-core by 15.5% (6800 versus 5888) and PassMark data compression by 9% (181411 versus 166432). PassMark extended instructions go to the i7-9700 by 55.8% (14488 versus 9299), and random string sorting by 23.2% (23482 versus 19060).

However, the Core 5 120U wins the other multi-core tests. Cinebench R15 multi-core goes to the Core 5 120U by a narrow 2% margin (1150.5 versus 1128). Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 12.1% lead (5349 versus 4704). PassMark multithread shows a 12.1% lead (15042 versus 13223). The Core 5 120U also wins PassMark integer math by 23.2% (52280 versus 40138), floating-point math by 5.1% (36026 versus 34187), physics by 12.5% (937 versus 820), find prime numbers by 9.4% (53 versus 48), and data encryption by a massive 58.7% (10453 versus 4322).

The encryption result is particularly striking. The Core 5 120U more than doubles the i7-9700's encryption score, suggesting that its newer architecture includes hardware acceleration or more efficient instruction handling for cryptographic workloads. The extended instructions test, by contrast, heavily favors the i7-9700, indicating that the older chip handles certain vector or specialized instruction sets much better.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-9700 | Intel Core 5 120U |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2019-04-22 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $333 | Not recorded |

The Verdict

The data paints a clear split between these two processors. The Core 5 120U is the superior single-threaded performer across every measured metric, with advantages ranging from 10% to 35.1% depending on the test. It also wins the majority of multi-threaded workloads, including Cinebench R20, PassMark multithread, integer math, physics, and encryption. Its 10 cores and 12 threads, combined with a 5.00 GHz boost clock, make it the more versatile all-around chip in most scenarios.

The i7-9700, however, is not obsolete. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a commanding 68.2%, suggesting that certain sustained multi-core workloads, particularly those with heavy instruction-level parallelism, favor its 8 full-size cores running at a higher base clock. It also wins Geekbench multi-core, data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting. Its 65 W TDP versus 15 W TDP indicates that it is designed for desktop power envelopes where sustained throughput matters more than efficiency.

For mobile users, laptop buyers, or anyone prioritizing single-thread responsiveness and encryption performance, the Core 5 120U is the clear choice. For desktop users running Cinebench R23-class workloads, long compressions, or specialized instruction sets, the i7-9700 still holds an edge. The two processors sit at the same 72nd percentile in the database, confirming that neither is categorically superior, they simply excel in different domains.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core 5 120U wins in: Single-core performance across all tests, including Cinebench R15, R20, R23, Geekbench, and PassMark single-thread. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R20 multi-core, PassMark multithread, PassMark integer math, PassMark floating-point math, PassMark physics, PassMark find prime numbers, and PassMark data encryption. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile devices, and its DDR4/DDR5 memory support offers flexibility. The Iris Xe Graphics 80EU provides a more modern integrated graphics solution.

Intel Core i7-9700 wins in: Cinebench R23 multi-core with a 68.2% margin, Geekbench multi-core by 15.5%, PassMark data compression by 9%, PassMark extended instructions by 55.8%, and PassMark random string sorting by 23.2%. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more direct CPU-attached expansion than the Core 5 120U's 8 Gen 4 lanes. The 65 W TDP and desktop socket make it a straightforward upgrade for existing Socket 1151 systems, and its launch MSRP of $333 reflects a desktop-oriented pricing structure.