Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, the Core Ultra 5 338H takes the win. The Intel Core 5 120U does not record a single victory in any test category. This is not a close contest; the gap is consistently wide, ranging from about 14% to over 82% depending on the workload.

The Core 5 120U is positioned as a low-power mobile processor, and the data reflects that. Its best relative showing is in single-threaded Cinebench R23, where it trails by 14.1%. Its worst relative showing is in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where it trails by 82.6%. For workloads that stress the whole processor, the Ultra 5 338H is simply in another class.

The Core Ultra 5 338H also holds the higher percentile ranking in the database. It sits at the 84th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 120U sits at the 72nd percentile. The average benchmark score for the Ultra 5 338H is 33989, nearly double the 17898 average of the Core 5 120U.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design generations. The Intel Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-U, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture, specifically Panther Lake-H, built on a 3 nm process. That process node difference is a major factor in the performance gap.

The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and also 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the 120U has the same thread count because it includes hyper-threading support, while the 338H appears to operate without it. The 120U's base clock is 1.40 GHz with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 338H's base clock is 1.90 GHz with a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The 120U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 338H has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger caches on the 338H, combined with the newer process node, explain much of its performance advantage.

Memory support also differs. The 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus. The 338H supports LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The 120U's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

PCIe support is another clear generational split. The 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The 338H uses PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ as well: the 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the 338H uses Arc B370.

The socket types are different, with the 120U on Intel BGA 1744 and the 338H on Intel BGA 2540. The 338H also carries a higher thermal design power at 25 W versus 15 W for the 120U. Both are mobile processors, both are active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The 120U was released in January 2024, while the 338H carries a January 2026 release date.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple division of roles. The Intel Core 5 120U is a conservative, low-power option for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals take priority over computational throughput. Its 15 W TDP and boost clock of 5.00 GHz give it respectable single-thread responsiveness for everyday tasks, though the benchmark numbers show it lagging in every measured category.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the performance pick. It delivers roughly double the average benchmark score, sits at the 84th percentile versus the 72nd percentile, and wins every head-to-head test. The 25 W TDP and the 3 nm Panther Lake architecture bring substantial gains in both single-thread and multi-thread workloads. For any workload where compute time matters, the 338H is the clear choice.

The release timeline supports this split. The 120U arrived in January 2024 as a Raptor Lake product. The 338H arrived in January 2026 as a Panther Lake product. Two years of architectural progression separate them, and the benchmark data reflects that progression directly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores. Both have 12 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Core Ultra 5 338H in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 338H scores 16331 versus 6659 for the 120U, a 59.2% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the 338H scores 10213 versus 5349, a 47.6% lead.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Core Ultra 5 338H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 338H boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X only, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s.

Q: What PCIe generation does each processor use?

A: The Core 5 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 5 338H uses PCIe Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin comes from PassMark's find prime numbers test. The 338H scores 304, while the 120U scores 53, giving the 338H an 82.6% advantage. This test is highly sensitive to integer execution and cache performance, both areas where the newer architecture excels.

Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 59.2% gap, with the 338H scoring 16331 versus 6659. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 54.1% gap, with scores of 2504 versus 1150.5. PassMark floating point math shows a 57.1% gap, with 84067 versus 36026. PassMark extended instructions shows a 61.1% gap, with 23906 versus 9299.

PassMark physics is another strong win for the 338H, scoring 2697 versus 937, a 65.3% lead. Data encryption shows a 51.1% gap, with 21367 versus 10453. Data compression shows a 39.8% gap, with 276539 versus 166432. Random string sorting shows a 44.1% gap, with 34082 versus 19060.

The single-thread tests are closer but still favor the 338H. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 14.1% gap, with 2044 versus 1756.5. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 19.7% gap, with 305 versus 245. PassMark single-thread shows a 16.8% gap, with 4180 versus 3479. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 47.6% gap, with 1441 versus 755.

PassMark integer math and multithread tests show 19.5% and 47.6% gaps respectively. Integer math scores are 64934 versus 52280. Multithread scores are 28717 versus 15042. In every recorded test, the Core Ultra 5 338H delivers the higher score.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 5 338H |

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

| Series | None | Core Ultra Series 3 |

| Cores | 10 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) | Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 136.5 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | Arc B370 |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2026-01-04 |

| Part Number | SRM7P | SA4REQ9EW |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 72 | 84 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 17898 | 33989 |

The remaining fields, including manufacturer, foundry, ECC memory support, market segment, production status, launch MSRP, and multiplier unlock status, are identical or not recorded for either part.