Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

The Intel Core 5 120U and the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H occupy distinctly different tiers in the mobile processor lineup. The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap, with the Core Ultra 7 356H winning every single head-to-head test. The Core 5 120U is a low-power, efficiency-oriented part, while the Core Ultra 7 356H is a high-performance powerhouse. This analysis breaks down exactly where each processor stands based on the recorded measurements.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split is entirely one-sided. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 5 120U does not record a single victory in any test category. This includes multi-core workloads, single-core tasks, and specialized instruction tests.

The Core 5 120U's role is defined by its power envelope, not its performance ceiling. With a 15 TDP, it is designed for thin and light systems where battery life and thermals take priority over raw throughput. Its benchmark scores are respectable for its class, but they do not compete with the Core Ultra 7 356H.

The Core Ultra 7 356H, by contrast, is a mobile workstation-class chip. Its 25 TDP and larger core count allow it to dominate in compute-heavy applications. The data shows it delivers more than double the multi-core performance in several tests, making it the clear choice for users who need sustained processing power.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural generations. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node. It is built on the Raptor Lake-U codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node, with the Panther Lake-H codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 generation.

Core configuration differs significantly. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Core Ultra 7 356H does not use hyper-threading, as its thread count matches its core count. The Core 5 120U has two extra threads beyond its core count.

Clock speeds show a trade-off. The Core 5 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 356H has a higher base clock of 1.90 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Core 5 120U can reach a higher maximum frequency, but the Core Ultra 7 356H starts from a faster baseline.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 5 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 Core Ultra 7 356H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 356H has substantially more cache at every level.

Memory support shows a generational shift. The Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, dropping legacy DDR4 support. The Core Ultra 7 356H also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Core 5 120U.

PCIe connectivity advances as well. The Core 5 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The Core Ultra 7 356H uses PCIe Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). This gives the newer chip more bandwidth and more lanes for peripherals.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 120U has Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The Core Ultra 7 356H has Intel Xe3 Graphics. The socket also changes: the Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, while the Core Ultra 7 356H uses Intel BGA 2540.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show the scale of the performance gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 7 356H scores 18395 against the Core 5 120U's 6659, a 63.8% difference. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 12153 versus 5349, a 56% difference. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 3055 versus 1150.5, a 62.3% difference.

Single-core performance is closer but still favors the Core Ultra 7 356H. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core Ultra 7 356H scores 2040 versus 1756.5, a 13.9% difference. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1715 versus 755, a 56% difference. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 303 versus 245, a 19.1% difference.

PassMark tests follow the same pattern. The largest gap appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 7 356H scores 327 against 53, an 83.8% difference. This test heavily favors the newer architecture and higher core count.

PassMark extended instructions shows a 66.7% difference, with scores of 27898 versus 9299. PassMark floating point math shows a 65.1% difference, with 103128 versus 36026. PassMark physics shows a 67.6% difference, with 2895 versus 937.

The smallest gaps appear in single-threaded tests. PassMark single thread shows a 14.6% difference, with 4072 versus 3479. PassMark integer math shows a 37.1% difference, with 83111 versus 52280.

Data compression and encryption show large gaps. PassMark data compression scores 336177 versus 166432, a 50.5% difference. PassMark data encryption scores 26345 versus 10453, a 60.3% difference. PassMark random string sorting scores 40990 versus 19060, a 53.5% difference.

PassMark multithread confirms the trend with 33978 versus 15042, a 55.7% difference.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the superior processor by a wide margin in every measured category. Its 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs versus the Core 5 120U's 72nd percentile reflects this dominance. The average benchmark score of 41215 for the Core Ultra 7 356H more than doubles the Core 5 120U's 17898.

Users who need multi-core performance for rendering, compilation, or scientific computing should choose the Core Ultra 7 356H. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18395 is nearly three times the Core 5 120U's score. The 16 cores and 18 MB of L3 cache provide the resources for demanding workloads.

Users who prioritize battery life and low power consumption should consider the Core 5 120U. Its 15 TDP is significantly lower than the Core Ultra 7 356H's 25 TDP. The 10-core configuration with 12 threads is adequate for everyday productivity tasks, and the 5.00 GHz boost clock provides responsive single-core performance for lighter applications.

The Core 5 120U also offers a lower barrier to entry in terms of platform costs, as it supports DDR4 memory. This can be relevant for budget-conscious system designs, though the performance difference is substantial.

The Core Ultra 7 356H also offers advantages in memory bandwidth and PCIe connectivity. The 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth and PCIe Gen 5 support make it suitable for systems with discrete graphics or fast NVMe storage. The Core 5 120U's PCIe Gen 4 and 8 lanes are more limited.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores. The Core Ultra 7 356H also has 16 threads, while the Core 5 120U has 12 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which is higher than the Core Ultra 7 356H's 4.70 GHz. However, the Core Ultra 7 356H has a higher base clock of 1.90 GHz versus 1.40 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 120U supports DDR4 memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory only.

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

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 7 356H scores 327 versus 53 for the Core 5 120U, an 83.8% difference.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has an average benchmark score of 41215, while the Intel Core 5 120U has an average benchmark score of 17898. The Core Ultra 7 356H also ranks in the 87th percentile versus the Core 5 120U's 72nd percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

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

| Cores | 10 | 16 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| 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 |

| 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 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

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

| Part Number | SRM7P | SA4RGQ9EU |