Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data presents a rare case of a complete sweep. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, 17 out of 17 comparisons. The Intel Core 5 120U does not win a single recorded test. This is not a close contest by any measure, and the magnitude of the differences varies considerably depending on the workload category.

In single-thread performance, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus holds a meaningful but not overwhelming advantage. The Cinebench R23 single-core result shows the Ultra 7 at 2439 against 1756.5 for the Core 5 120U, a 28% gap. The PassMark single-thread test shows 5068 versus 3479, a 31.4% lead. These are substantial margins, but they are far smaller than the multi-threaded gaps. The single-core wins indicate that the Ultra 7's higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, combined with its newer 3 nm process node, translate into real per-thread advantages.

Multi-threaded performance is where the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus completely separates itself. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is 44253 for the Ultra 7 against 6659 for the Core 5 120U, a difference of 85%. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows 24461 versus 5349, a 78.1% gap. The PassMark multithread score is 68574 versus 15042, another 78.1% difference. These results reflect the fundamental hardware disparity: 24 cores and 24 threads versus 10 cores and 12 threads, with the Ultra 7 also carrying a 36 MB shared L3 cache versus 12 MB.

Workload-specific tests reveal where the architectural differences matter most. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows the largest relative gap at 91.4%, with the Ultra 7 scoring 615 against 53. This workload is highly sensitive to integer throughput and cache hierarchy, and the Ultra 7's larger caches and higher core count dominate. Extended instructions show an 85.4% gap (63506 versus 9299), floating point math an 84.3% gap (229491 versus 36026), and data compression a 79.3% gap (804322 versus 166432). The smallest multi-threaded gap appears in integer math at 70.3% (175986 versus 52280), but even that is a massive deficit.

The data compression result deserves specific attention. The Ultra 7 scores 804322, nearly five times the Core 5 120U's 166432. Data encryption shows 59097 versus 10453, an 82.3% gap. Random string sorting shows 96945 versus 19060, an 80.3% gap. Physics simulation shows 4064 versus 937, a 76.9% gap. Every category, from memory-sensitive workloads to pure compute, favors the Ultra 7 by margins that range from roughly two-thirds to over ninety percent.

The Core 5 120U remains competitive only in the narrow sense of single-threaded tasks where the gap narrows to around 28-31%. Even there, it loses every test. The data shows no scenario in the recorded benchmarks where the Core 5 120U takes a win.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus outperforms the Intel Core 5 120U in every recorded test, with an average benchmark score of 93785 against 17898. The Ultra 7 sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 120U sits at the 72nd percentile. These are different performance classes entirely.

The Core 5 120U is a 15 W mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1744 socket, built on a 10 nm process with 10 cores and 12 threads. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a 125 W desktop processor on Intel Socket 1851, built on a 3 nm TSMC process with 24 cores and 24 threads. The launch MSRP for the Ultra 7 is $299. The Core 5 120U has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

For workloads measured in the database, the Ultra 7 delivers between 1.4 and 11.6 times the performance of the Core 5 120U depending on the test. The single-threaded ratios are the smallest, around 1.4 to 1.5 times. The multi-threaded ratios range from roughly 3.4 times in integer math to 11.6 times in prime number finding.

The Core 5 120U's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891 (0% delta), the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17860 (0.2% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (-0.5% delta). The Core 5 120U fits into a performance tier around that range. The Ultra 7's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon 6520P at 93786 (0% delta), the AMD EPYC 4564P at 95183 (-1.5% delta), and the AMD EPYC 9175F at 95615 (-1.9% delta). The Ultra 7 competes with server-class silicon, not mobile parts.

The database indicates that the Ultra 7 is the correct pick for any workload that benefits from multi-threaded throughput, large caches, or high single-thread performance. The Core 5 120U belongs to a different power and performance envelope, suited to mobile platforms where the 15 W TDP and BGA socket are appropriate. No recorded benchmark justifies choosing the Core 5 120U on performance grounds alone.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single gap in the entire comparison is the PassMark find prime numbers test. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 615 against 53 for the Core 5 120U, a 91.4% difference. This test stresses integer arithmetic and cache efficiency, and the Ultra 7's 24 cores, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3 provide enormous headroom.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test is the second-largest gap at 85%. The Ultra 7 scores 44253, the Core 5 120U scores 6659. This ratio of 6.6 times is consistent with the core and thread count disparity, though the Ultra 7 achieves it with 24 threads versus 12 threads, indicating that IPC and clock advantages also contribute. Extended instructions show an 85.4% gap, with 63506 versus 9299. Floating point math shows an 84.3% gap, with 229491 versus 36026.

Data compression shows a 79.3% gap, with 804322 versus 166432. Random string sorting shows an 80.3% gap, with 96945 versus 19060. Data encryption shows an 82.3% gap, with 59097 versus 10453. These memory and data-movement heavy workloads all favor the Ultra 7 by roughly four to five times.

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows 6656 versus 1150.5, an 82.7% gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 24461 versus 5349, a 78.1% gap. PassMark multithread shows 68574 versus 15042, a 78.1% gap. Physics shows 4064 versus 937, a 76.9% gap. The consistency across rendering, physics, and general multithreaded workloads indicates that the Ultra 7's advantage is broad rather than workload-specific.

Single-threaded tests show the smallest gaps. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 354 versus 245, a 30.8% gap. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 3453 versus 755, a 78.1% gap, which is an outlier compared to the other single-core tests. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2439 versus 1756.5, a 28% gap. PassMark single-thread shows 5068 versus 3479, a 31.4% gap. The R20 single-core result is anomalous in magnitude, suggesting that the test methodology or platform state at measurement time may have influenced the result, but the recorded data stands as is.

Integer math shows the smallest multi-threaded gap at 70.3%, with 175986 versus 52280. Even this smallest multi-threaded gap represents a 3.4 times advantage for the Ultra 7.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks recorded in the database. The Intel Core 5 120U wins none.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The PassMark find prime numbers test shows the largest gap at 91.4%, with the Ultra 7 scoring 615 and the Core 5 120U scoring 53.

Q: How do the core counts and process nodes compare?

A: The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads on a 10 nm Intel process. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads on a 3 nm TSMC process with 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap?

A: The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the smallest gap at 28%, with the Ultra 7 scoring 2439 and the Core 5 120U scoring 1756.5.

Q: Do the two processors support the same memory and PCIe standards?

A: No. The Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus supports DDR5 only with dual-channel memory, 115.2 GB/s bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average benchmark score of 93785, placing it at the 96th percentile. The Core 5 120U has an average score of 17898, placing it at the 72nd percentile.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 5 120U does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures and target completely different platforms. The Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture with the codename Raptor Lake-U, built on a 10 nm process at Intel foundries. It is a mobile part on the Intel BGA 1744 socket with a 15 W TDP. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Arrow Lake Refresh architecture with the codename Arrow Lake, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1851 with a 125 W TDP.

The core and thread configuration differs fundamentally. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Ultra 7 does not use simultaneous multithreading, as evidenced by equal core and thread counts, while the Core 5 120U uses it to reach 12 threads from 10 cores. Clock speeds also differ: the Core 5 120U has a 1.40 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost, while the Ultra 7 has a 3.70 GHz base clock and 5.50 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies are substantially different. The Core 5 120U has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 carries three times the shared L3 cache and more than double the per-core L2.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 5 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 across a dual-channel bus. The Ultra 7 supports DDR5 only across a dual-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Ultra 7 also supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 120U does not.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. The Core 5 120U provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The Ultra 7 provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Ultra 7 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units.

Transistor count and die size are recorded only for the Ultra 7: 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 5 120U has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database. Release dates are also distinct, with the Core 5 120U released on January 7, 2024, and the Ultra 7 released on March 10, 2026. The Ultra 7 has a recorded launch MSRP of $299 and an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 120U has no recorded launch MSRP and a locked multiplier.