Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

Intel Core 5 120U and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T represent two distinct approaches within Intel's current lineup. The 120U is a Raptor Lake-U mobile processor, while the 225T is an Arrow Lake-S desktop processor. Benchmark data from the database shows a decisive performance gap between the two, with the Core Ultra 5 225T winning all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T outperforms the Intel Core 5 120U in every single test recorded in the database. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the 225T scores 21971 against the 120U's 6659, a 69.7% advantage. This is the single biggest delta in the entire comparison and indicates a substantial difference in sustained multi-threaded workloads.

The single-core results tell a similar story, though with smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 225T scores 3101 versus 1756.5 for the 120U, a 43.4% lead. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a 42% difference, with the 225T at 1302 and the 120U at 755. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core: 312 versus 245, a 21.5% gap. This consistency across Cinebench versions confirms that the 225T holds a clear advantage in lightly threaded tasks as well.

PassMark tests reinforce the picture. The 225T leads by 81.3% in find prime numbers (284 versus 53), by 56.5% in floating point math (82751 versus 36026), and by 54.4% in physics (2053 versus 937). Extended instructions show a 53.7% gap (20083 versus 9299), while data encryption shows 18289 versus 10453, a 42.8% difference. Multi-thread performance in PassMark favors the 225T by 40.7% (25358 versus 15042).

Some tests show narrower margins. Integer math sees the 225T at 59543 versus 52280 for the 120U, a 12.2% lead. Data compression shows 233998 versus 166432, a 28.9% gap. Random string sorting puts the 225T at 28774 versus 19060, a 33.8% advantage. The PassMark single-thread test shows 4348 versus 3479, a 20% lead for the 225T. The smallest relative win is in integer math, but even there the 225T maintains a clear edge.

The average benchmark score in the database confirms the overall positioning. The Core Ultra 5 225T has an average score of 30468, placing it at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 120U averages 17898, sitting at the 72nd percentile. The 225T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-11980HK (30422, 0.2% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (30390, 0.3% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 7 7736U (30364, 0.3% delta). The 120U, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, 0% delta) and the Intel Core 5 221TE (17860, 0.2% delta).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T boosts to 4.90 GHz. The 120U is 0.10 GHz higher.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: Both processors have 10 cores. The 120U has 12 threads, while the 225T has 10 threads. The 120U supports two extra threads through its hybrid design.

Q: What is the difference in process node?

A: The Core 5 120U uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses TSMC's 3 nm process. The 225T also has a much larger die at 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors, while the 120U has no recorded transistor or die size data.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 5?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core 5 120U supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 only, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 225T also has larger L1 and L2 caches per core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural lineages. The Core 5 120U is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U mobile variant. It uses Intel's 10 nm process node and is fabricated by Intel. The Core Ultra 5 225T is built on Arrow Lake, specifically the Arrow Lake-S desktop variant, using TSMC's 3 nm process node. This node difference is significant: the 3 nm process allows for a much higher transistor density and efficiency.

The transistor counts and die sizes differ substantially. The 225T has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The 120U has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database. This reflects the different design targets: the 225T is a full desktop part with substantial silicon area, while the 120U is a mobile part optimized for lower power envelopes.

Cache hierarchy differs as well. The 120U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The 225T has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. This means the 225T has roughly 2.4 times the L1 per core, 2.4 times the L2 per core, and 1.67 times the total L3. Larger caches generally reduce memory latency and improve performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

The integrated graphics differ. The 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. This is a notable trade-off: the mobile part has a much more capable iGPU in terms of EU count, while the desktop part likely relies on discrete graphics.

Memory support diverges. The 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving it flexibility for cheaper or legacy memory. The 225T supports only DDR5, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The 225T also uses a dual-channel memory bus, same as the 120U.

PCIe support shows clear generational progress. The 120U features PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The 225T features PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This means the 225T offers both a newer PCIe standard and more than double the lane count.

Specification Differences

The core counts are identical at 10, but threads differ: 12 for the 120U versus 10 for the 225T. Base clocks differ significantly. The 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz, while the 225T has a base clock of 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks are closer: 5.00 GHz for the 120U and 4.90 GHz for the 225T.

Thermal design power shows a major split. The 120U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the 225T has a TDP of 65 watts. This reflects their different market segments: mobile versus desktop. The 120U is designed for power-constrained laptops, while the 225T is a desktop part with much higher power headroom.

Sockets differ as expected. The 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, a ball grid array for soldered mobile installation. The 225T uses Intel Socket 1851, a desktop socket. The 120U is marked as a Mobile segment part, while the 225T is marked as Desktop.

Process nodes differ: 10 nm for the 120U versus 3 nm for the 225T. Foundries also differ: Intel for the 120U, TSMC for the 225T. The 225T has a recorded transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the 120U has null values for both.

Memory support shows the 120U accepting DDR4 and DDR5, while the 225T accepts DDR5 only. The 225T has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the 120U has no recorded bandwidth. PCIe support differs: Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the 120U versus Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the 225T.

Integrated graphics differ: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for the 120U versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU for the 225T. Release dates are close: January 7, 2024 for the 120U and December 31, 2024 for the 225T. Both have no recorded launch MSRP, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both are listed as Active in production status. The 120U has part number SRM7P, while the 225T's part number is listed as unknown.

The Verdict

The data presents a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core 5 120U, with deltas ranging from 12.2% in integer math to 69.7% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The 225T's average benchmark score of 30468 places it at the 82nd percentile, while the 120U's 17898 puts it at the 72nd percentile. The 225T sits alongside processors like the Intel Core i9-11980HK and AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS in the database, while the 120U competes with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 221TE.

The 225T's advantages come from multiple sources: a 3 nm TSMC process versus 10 nm Intel, a much higher base clock (2.50 GHz versus 1.40 GHz), larger caches at every level, and a higher TDP of 65 watts versus 15 watts. The 225T also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes and DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The 120U does retain advantages in thread count (12 versus 10), boost clock (5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz), and a more capable integrated GPU (80 EU versus 16 EU).

For workloads that benefit from sustained multi-core performance, the 225T is the clear choice. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 69.7% lead, and PassMark physics shows a 54.4% lead. For single-threaded tasks, the 225T also wins, though by smaller margins: 43.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core and 20% in PassMark single-thread. The 120U's only advantages are lower power draw, dual memory support, and a stronger iGPU, none of which translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins in every measurable benchmark category in the database. It excels most notably in multi-threaded rendering: Cinebench R23 multi-core (21971 versus 6659), Cinebench R20 multi-core (9227 versus 5349), and Cinebench R15 multi-core (2214 versus 1150.5). It also dominates in mathematical workloads: PassMark find prime numbers (284 versus 53), floating point math (82751 versus 36026), and extended instructions (20083 versus 9299).

The 225T also leads in memory and data tasks. PassMark data compression shows 233998 versus 166432, data encryption shows 18289 versus 10453, and random string sorting shows 28774 versus 19060. In multithread and physics tests, the 225T maintains strong leads: 25358 versus 15042 and 2053 versus 937 respectively.

The Intel Core 5 120U does not win any of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. Its advantages exist outside the benchmark suite: a lower TDP of 15 watts, support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, and an Iris Xe Graphics solution with 80 execution units. These traits suit a mobile, power-sensitive environment. The 120U also has 12 threads versus the 225T's 10, which can help in heavily threaded workloads that scale with thread count, though the recorded benchmarks do not reflect an overall win.

The database shows the 225T as the performance leader by a wide margin across all tested metrics. The 120U remains a viable part for scenarios prioritizing power efficiency and flexible memory support, but the recorded data gives the 225T the win in every performance category.