Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core 5 213PTE Comparison

The benchmark data records a decisive performance gap between the Intel Core 5 120UL and the Intel Core 5 213PTE. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Core 5 213PTE delivers the higher score, with the Core 5 120UL failing to win a single comparison. The average benchmark score for the Core 5 213PTE is 32924, placing it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 120UL averages 13594, sitting in the 68th percentile. This places the two processors in entirely different performance classes, despite sharing the same Intel Socket 1700 platform.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided results appear in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 213PTE scores 21751 against the Core 5 120UL's 8974, a delta of 58.7% in favor of the 213PTE. The gap is consistent across older Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core shows 9135 versus 3769 (58.7% delta), and R15 multi-core shows 2192 versus 904 (58.8% delta). Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, with the 213PTE scoring 3070 in R23 single-core versus 1266 for the 120UL, again a 58.8% delta. The R20 single-core test shows 1289 versus 531, and R15 single-core shows 309 versus 127, both with deltas near 58.9%.

PassMark integer math heavily favors the 213PTE, which scores 93109 against 38060 for the 120UL, a 59.1% delta. Floating point math shows a 63.3% delta, with scores of 71722 and 26311 respectively. The extended instructions test records the third-largest delta at 67.8%, with the 213PTE at 16146 and the 120UL at 5203. Prime number finding is the widest gap of all at 70.1%, where the 213PTE scores 157 versus just 47 for the 120UL. Data compression shows a 58.2% delta, with scores of 261083 and 109090. Data encryption shows a smaller but still substantial 46.7% delta, with the 213PTE at 14413 and the 120UL at 7685.

PassMark multi-thread confirms the multi-core trend with a 58.7% delta, scoring 25590 for the 213PTE and 10558 for the 120UL. Physics simulation shows a 63.3% delta, with scores of 2199 and 807. Random string sorting shows a 54.8% delta, with 30106 against 13610. The smallest delta in the entire set is 44.1%, found in both PassMark single-thread tests, where the 213PTE scores 3718 and the 120UL scores 2080. Even the closest result still represents a massive single-core advantage for the 213PTE.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 10 nm process node and Intel as the foundry, but their internal designs diverge significantly. The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, while the Core 5 213PTE uses the Bartlett Lake codename with no architecture field recorded. The 120UL features 10 cores and 12 threads, whereas the 213PTE has fewer cores at 8 but more threads at 16. This indicates a different core configuration, with the 213PTE likely relying on hyper-threading across all cores while the 120UL uses a hybrid arrangement.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the 120UL and 2 MB per core on the 213PTE. The L3 cache shows the largest gap: 12 MB shared on the 120UL versus 24 MB shared on the 213PTE. This doubling of L3 cache contributes to the 213PTE's superior performance in cache-sensitive workloads. The base clocks differ as well, with the 120UL running at 1.30 GHz and the 213PTE at 2.10 GHz. Boost clocks show a similar gap, with the 120UL reaching 4.60 GHz and the 213PTE reaching 5.20 GHz.

Memory support is identical on paper, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus. However, the 213PTE records a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the 120UL does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. The 213PTE also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the 120UL. PCIe connectivity differs substantially: the 120UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the 213PTE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This doubles both the generation and lane count for the 213PTE.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 120UL uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the 213PTE uses UHD Graphics 730. The 213PTE has a higher TDP of 45 watts versus 15 watts for the 120UL, reflecting its higher power envelope and performance ceiling. The 213PTE has a recorded part number of SA4QM and a launch MSRP of $221, while the 120UL has no recorded part number or launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PTE wins with a score of 21751 against 8974 for the Intel Core 5 120UL, a delta of 58.7% in favor of the 213PTE.

Q: How does single-thread performance compare between the two?

A: The 213PTE scores 3718 in PassMark single-thread, while the 120UL scores 2080, a 44.1% delta. The same delta appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, with scores of 3070 and 1266.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads. The 213PTE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The 213PTE supports ECC memory, while the 120UL does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 213PTE boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the 120UL boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: How does the L3 cache differ between the two?

A: The 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 213PTE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, a doubling of capacity.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Core 5 213PTE outperforms the Intel Core 5 120UL in every recorded benchmark. The 213PTE holds a 59.1% advantage in integer math, a 63.3% advantage in floating point math, and a 58.7% advantage in multi-core Cinebench R23. Its single-core advantage, while smaller at 44.1%, remains decisive. The 213PTE also ranks in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 68th percentile for the 120UL, and its average benchmark score of 32924 is more than double the 120UL's 13594.

The 213PTE's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-12700 with a delta of 0.1%, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H with a 0.3% delta, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D with a 0.5% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G with a 0.5% delta. This places the 213PTE in the same performance tier as those processors. The 120UL's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-12100F with a 0.7% delta, the Intel Core 3 N355 with a 0.8% delta, the Intel Core i5-9500 with a 1.1% delta, and the Intel Core 3 304 with a 1.1% delta. The 120UL competes with lower-tier desktop processors, while the 213PTE competes with upper-mid-range chips.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several recorded specifications. The 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the 213PTE has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 1.30 GHz for the 120UL and 2.10 GHz for the 213PTE. Boost clocks are 4.60 GHz and 5.20 GHz respectively. TDP is 15 watts for the 120UL and 45 watts for the 213PTE. The architecture field lists Raptor Lake for the 120UL and is null for the 213PTE, though the codename differs: Raptor Lake-PS versus Bartlett Lake. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the 120UL and 2 MB per core on the 213PTE. L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the 120UL and 24 MB shared on the 213PTE.

Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the 213PTE at 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory support exists only on the 213PTE. PCIe specifications differ: Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the 120UL versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the 213PTE. Integrated graphics differ, with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the 120UL and UHD Graphics 730 on the 213PTE. The 213PTE has a recorded part number of SA4QM and a launch MSRP of $221, while the 120UL has neither. Both processors use the Intel Socket 1700, support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, use a dual-channel memory bus, have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, use a 10 nm process node, and come from Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 213PTE wins in every recorded benchmark category, so the use-case split is defined by the degree of advantage rather than the direction. For single-threaded workloads, the 213PTE shows a 44.1% delta, making it the clear choice for applications that rely on per-core speed, such as legacy software or lightly threaded tasks. For multi-threaded workloads, the delta grows to 58.7% or higher, so the 213PTE is the stronger option for rendering, compilation, and simulation. The 213PTE also supports ECC memory, which makes it suitable for systems requiring error-correcting memory, and its Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes doubles the bandwidth and lane count available for expansion devices compared to the Gen 4, 8-lane interface on the 120UL.

The Intel Core 5 120UL, with no wins in the head-to-head data, offers no benchmark advantage over the 213PTE. Its lower TDP of 15 watts versus 45 watts indicates a lower power envelope, which could suit thermally constrained systems, but the recorded data shows no performance scenario where the 120UL is preferable. The 120UL does include Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, which may offer different integrated graphics capabilities than the UHD Graphics 730 on the 213PTE, but no benchmark data is recorded for graphics performance. The 120UL also lacks the ECC support and PCIe Gen 5 capability of the 213PTE. Based on the recorded measurements, the 213PTE is the superior processor for all tested workloads, with the 120UL serving as a lower-power alternative without a performance edge in any recorded test.