Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core 5 211TE Comparison

Intel Core 5 120UL and Intel Core 5 211TE are both 10-core desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, but benchmark data reveals a clear split in their performance profiles. The Intel Core 5 211TE wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, dominating multi-core and rendering workloads, while the Intel Core 5 120UL secures 5 wins, primarily in single-threaded PassMark tests and specific math operations. The overall average benchmark score favors the 211TE at 15370 versus 13594 for the 120UL, a difference that places the 211TE in the 69th percentile of all CPUs compared to the 68th percentile for the 120UL.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 211TE is the clear choice for multi-threaded and compute-intensive tasks. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 211TE scores 12201 against 8974 for the 120UL, a 26.4% advantage. This pattern repeats across all Cinebench versions: R15 multi-core shows 1229 versus 904, R20 multi-core shows 5124 versus 3769, and R23 multi-core shows 12201 versus 8974. The 211TE also wins PassMark multithread (11685 versus 10558), physics (1278 versus 807), extended instructions (8615 versus 5203), find prime numbers (72 versus 47), data compression (133434 versus 109090), and random string sorting (14838 versus 13610). These results position the 211TE as the superior processor for rendering, scientific computing, and any workload that scales with thread count.

The Intel Core 5 120UL wins in a narrower set of scenarios. Its most significant victory is in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 2080 against 1408 for the 211TE, a 47.7% advantage. It also wins PassMark integer math (38060 versus 33991, a 12% lead), floating point math (26311 versus 26150, a marginal 0.6% edge), and data encryption (7685 versus 7231, a 6.3% gain). These wins indicate that the 120UL has a stronger single-core execution engine for certain instruction types, despite its lower overall multi-core performance. The data shows that for lightly threaded applications or tasks that rely on integer and encryption operations, the 120UL holds an advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same process node (10 nm) and foundry (Intel), but their underlying designs differ significantly. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, part of the Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) generation. The Intel Core 5 211TE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, with no specific architecture name listed, part of the Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) generation. Both have 10 cores and 80 KB of L1 cache per core, plus 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache differs: the 120UL has 12 MB shared, while the 211TE has 20 MB shared.

The core and thread counts also differ. The 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. This means the 211TE supports more concurrent threads, which directly contributes to its multi-core benchmark dominance. The 211TE also has a larger die size at 215 mm², though the 120UL's die size is not recorded. Base and boost clocks favor the 211TE: it runs at 1.70 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost, versus 1.30 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost for the 120UL. The 211TE has a higher TDP of 45 watts compared to 15 watts for the 120UL, reflecting its higher power envelope for sustained performance.

PCIe support differs as well. The 120UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the 211TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), offering both newer generation and more lanes for expansion. Integrated graphics also differ: the 120UL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the 211TE uses UHD Graphics 730. Memory support is identical for both (DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel), but the 211TE adds ECC memory support and a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the 120UL does not support ECC and has no recorded bandwidth figure. Release dates place the 120UL in 2024-04-07 and the 211TE in 2025-01-12.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Intel Core 5 211TE comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 8615 against 5203 for the 120UL, a 39.6% advantage. This is followed by PassMark physics (1278 versus 807, a 36.9% lead), PassMark find prime numbers (72 versus 47, a 34.7% lead), and Cinebench single-core tests (R15: 173 versus 127, R20: 723 versus 531, R23: 1722 versus 1266, all around 26.5% to 26.6% ahead). The 211TE also wins Cinebench multi-core tests by a consistent 26.4% margin across R15, R20, and R23, and PassMark multithread by 9.6% (11685 versus 10558). Data compression favors the 211TE by 18.2% (133434 versus 109090), and random string sorting by 8.3% (14838 versus 13610).

The largest win for the Intel Core 5 120UL is in PassMark single-thread, where it scores 2080 against 1408 for the 211TE, a 47.7% advantage. This result appears twice in the data (as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, both 2080). The 120UL also wins PassMark integer math by 12% (38060 versus 33991), data encryption by 6.3% (7685 versus 7231), and floating point math by a narrow 0.6% (26311 versus 26150). These wins show that the 120UL's single-core design is more efficient for certain workloads, even though its overall multi-core scores are lower.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL scores 2080 in PassMark single-thread, while the Intel Core 5 211TE scores 1408, giving the 120UL a 47.7% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, however, the 211TE scores 1722 versus 1266 for the 120UL, a 26.5% lead.

Q: How do the multi-core scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE leads in all Cinebench multi-core tests: R15 (1229 versus 904), R20 (5124 versus 3769), and R23 (12201 versus 8974), each by 26.4%. It also wins PassMark multithread with 11685 versus 10558, a 9.6% margin.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120UL does not. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration.

Q: What are the PCIe differences between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 5 211TE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The 211TE offers a newer generation and more lanes.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE has 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB. Both have 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core.

Q: What is the thread count difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The 211TE supports 4 additional threads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Threads: 12 for the 120UL, 16 for the 211TE
• Base clock: 1.30 GHz for the 120UL, 1.70 GHz for the 211TE
• Boost clock: 4.60 GHz for the 120UL, 4.80 GHz for the 211TE
• TDP: 15 watts for the 120UL, 45 watts for the 211TE
• Architecture: Raptor Lake for the 120UL, not listed for the 211TE
• Codename: Raptor Lake-PS for the 120UL, Bartlett Lake for the 211TE
• Generation: Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) for the 120UL, Core 5 (Bartlett Lake) for the 211TE
• Die size: Not recorded for the 120UL, 215 mm² for the 211TE
• L3 cache: 12 MB shared for the 120UL, 20 MB shared for the 211TE
• Memory bandwidth: Not recorded for the 120UL, 76.8 GB/s for the 211TE
• ECC memory: False for the 120UL, true for the 211TE
• PCIe: Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) for the 120UL, Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) for the 211TE
• Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for the 120UL, UHD Graphics 730 for the 211TE
• Release date: 2024-04-07 for the 120UL, 2025-01-12 for the 211TE
• Part number: Unknown for the 120UL, SRQDL for the 211TE
• Launch MSRP: Not listed for the 120UL, $221 for the 211TE
• Process node, foundry, cores, L1 cache, L2 cache, memory support, memory bus, socket, market segment, production status, multiplier unlocked: Identical for both (10 nm, Intel, 10 cores, 80 KB per core, 1.25 MB per core, DDR4/DDR5, dual-channel, Intel Socket 1700, Desktop, Active, false)

The Verdict

The Intel Core 5 211TE is the stronger processor for multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its 26.4% lead across all Cinebench multi-core tests and its wins in PassMark multithread, physics, extended instructions, and data compression. Its 16 threads and 20 MB L3 cache, combined with higher base and boost clocks, deliver consistent gains in rendering and compute-heavy tasks. The 211TE also adds ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a higher memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, making it the more capable platform for professional or server-like use. Its launch MSRP is $221.

The Intel Core 5 120UL is the better choice for single-threaded integer and encryption workloads, with a 47.7% lead in PassMark single-thread and a 12% lead in integer math. Its lower TDP of 15 watts indicates a more power-efficient design, which may suit compact or low-power systems. However, its 12 threads and 12 MB L3 cache limit its multi-core potential, and the data shows it loses to the 211TE in 12 of 17 benchmarks.

For users prioritizing multi-core performance, ECC support, or PCIe Gen 5, the Intel Core 5 211TE is the clear pick. For those focused on single-thread integer operations or low power consumption, the Intel Core 5 120UL holds specific advantages, but its overall average benchmark score of 13594 trails the 211TE's 15370 by a meaningful margin. The benchmark data consistently favors the 211TE for general-purpose and multi-threaded use.