Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core 5 221E wins every single recorded benchmark, 17 wins to zero for the Intel Core 5 120UL. The margins are substantial and consistent across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 221E scores 25933 against 8974 for the Core 5 120UL, a delta of 65.4%. The single-core R23 result follows the same pattern: 3661 versus 1266, also a 65.4% difference. These are not marginal gains; the 221E nearly triples the 120UL's output in multi-core rendering.

The PassMark suite tells the same story. Integer math shows the 221E at 117813 versus 38060, a 67.7% advantage. Floating point math delivers 79028 against 26311, a 66.7% gap. The largest single delta in the entire dataset appears in the find prime numbers test, where the 221E scores 173 compared to 47, a 72.8% lead. Extended instructions show a 71.4% gap, with 18216 versus 5203.

Data compression favors the 221E heavily: 324285 versus 109090, a 66.4% difference. Data encryption shows the narrowest percentage gap among the PassMark tests at 60%, but the raw numbers still show 19205 against 7685. Random string sorting gives 37686 versus 13610, a 63.9% lead. Physics simulation scores 2230 against 807, a 63.8% gap. The PassMark multi-thread score is 30510 for the 221E versus 10558 for the 120UL, another 65.4% difference.

Single-thread performance shows the smallest relative gap but remains decisive. The PassMark single-thread score is 4147 for the 221E against 2080 for the 120UL, a 49.8% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core mirrors the other Cinebench tests with a 65.5% gap (368 versus 127). The fact that even the single-thread tests show such large margins indicates the 221E's architectural advantage extends beyond core count.

The average benchmark score places the 221E at 40144, while the 120UL sits at 13594. The 221E ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database, compared to the 68th percentile for the 120UL. In terms of nearest rivals, the 221E sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 9 270 and within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 7 7700. The 120UL, by contrast, sits within 1.1% of the Intel Core i5-9500 and within 0.8% of the Intel Core 3 N355.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120UL boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Core 5 221E scores 25933, which is 65.4% higher than the Core 5 120UL's 8974.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The Core 5 221E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, twice the 12 MB shared L3 cache of the Core 5 120UL.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Core 5 221E ranks in the 87th percentile, while the Core 5 120UL ranks in the 68th percentile.

Q: Is the Core 5 221E's data encryption performance faster?

A: Yes, the 221E scores 19205 in PassMark data encryption versus 7685 for the 120UL, a 60% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 10 nm process node and Intel as the foundry, but the underlying designs diverge significantly. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, and the database does not list an architecture name for it beyond that codename.

Core counts differ substantially. The 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. That extra thread count comes from a different core configuration, giving the 221E a 40% core advantage and a 66.7% thread advantage.

Cache hierarchies scale with the core count. Both processors use 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: the 120UL has 1.25 MB per core, while the 221E has 2 MB per core. L3 cache jumps from 12 MB shared on the 120UL to 24 MB shared on the 221E.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 120UL carries Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the 221E uses the more modest UHD Graphics 730. This is a notable trade-off: the lower-power part has the stronger iGPU, while the higher-performance part leans on its CPU resources.

PCIe support also differs. The 120UL provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the 221E provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. That doubles both the generation and the lane count, which matters for expansion and storage bandwidth.

Memory bandwidth is listed only for the 221E at 89.6 GB/s; the database does not record a figure for the 120UL. ECC memory support is another differentiator: the 221E supports ECC, while the 120UL does not.

The 221E has a listed die size of 257 mm², while the 120UL has no die size recorded. The 221E also has a part number (SRQDVQ659), while the 120UL is listed as unknown.

The 221E carries a launch MSRP of $232. The 120UL has no launch MSRP recorded.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear choice for workloads that depend on raw compute throughput. The Intel Core 5 221E dominates every benchmark in the comparison, with deltas ranging from 49.8% in single-thread tests to 72.8% in prime number calculations. Its 87th percentile ranking against all CPUs and its proximity to the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (within 0.2%) place it in a performance class well above the 120UL, which sits near the Core i3-12100F (within 0.7%) and the Core i5-9500 (within 1.1%).

The 221E delivers roughly triple the multi-core rendering performance of the 120UL in Cinebench R23, and it doubles the L3 cache while adding 4 cores and 8 threads. It also brings Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, ECC memory support, and a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.60 GHz.

The 120UL does retain two advantages. Its integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 80 EU is a stronger iGPU than the UHD Graphics 730 in the 221E. Its 15 W TDP is far lower than the 221E's 65 W, which makes it the appropriate pick for power-constrained systems. The data does not include a power efficiency metric, so the exact performance-per-watt trade-off cannot be quantified from the database, but the TDP difference is recorded.

For any workload where CPU performance is the priority, the 221E is the unambiguous choice. The 120UL's only recorded wins are in lower power draw and a more capable integrated GPU. The benchmark results indicate no scenario in the measured tests where the 120UL outperforms the 221E.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120UL | Intel Core 5 221E |

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

| Cores | 10 | 14 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base clock | 1.30 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-PS | Bartlett Lake |

| Die size | Not recorded | 257 mm² |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 12 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Release date | 2024-04-07 | 2025-01-12 |

| Part number | Unknown | SRQDVQ659 |

Both processors share the same socket (Intel Socket 1700), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), memory support (DDR4 and DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), market segment (desktop), production status (active), and lack an unlocked multiplier. The 221E lists a launch MSRP of $232; the 120UL has none recorded.