Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core 7 251E Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120UL and the Intel Core 7 251E occupy different performance tiers, and the data reflects a clear split in workload strengths. The Core 5 120UL is a 10-core, 12-thread Raptor Lake-PS part with a 15 W TDP and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. It delivers a complete benchmark suite in the database, with a multi-thread Cinebench R23 score of 8974 and a single-thread score of 1266. Its PassMark multi-thread score of 10558 and single-thread score of 2080 place it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 120UL wins in efficiency-oriented scenarios, where its lower power envelope and 12 MB of shared L3 cache allow it to handle moderate workloads without requiring substantial cooling.

The Core 7 251E, by contrast, is a 24-core, 32-thread Bartlett Lake processor with a 65 W TDP, a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, and a base clock of 2.10 GHz. It has no recorded benchmarks in the database, which means its wins are structural rather than measured. It wins on raw core count, thread count, cache capacity, and platform feature set. With 36 MB of shared L3 cache, 2 MB of L2 per core, and support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, the Core 7 251E is positioned for heavily parallel workloads. Its memory bandwidth is listed at 89.6 GB/s, a figure the Core 5 120UL does not match in the recorded data.

The Core 5 120UL wins in any scenario where the database has actual test results. It has 17 recorded benchmark entries, including Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and PassMark suites. The Core 7 251E has zero recorded benchmark entries, so its strengths are inferred from its core topology and platform capabilities. The Core 5 120UL also wins on integrated graphics, using Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core 5 120UL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Core 7 251E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, giving the latter a clear advantage in expansion and data-transfer capacity.

The Verdict

The data indicates that these are not direct competitors. The Core 5 120UL is a measured, benchmarked processor that sits near the Intel Core i3-12100F, Intel Core 3 N355, Intel Core i5-9500, and Intel Core 3 304 in average score. Its average benchmark score of 13594 is 0.7% above the Core i3-12100F, 0.8% above the Core 3 N355, and 1.1% above the Core i5-9500, while it trails the Core 3 304 by 1.1%. The Core 7 251E, with an average benchmark score of 0 and no rival data, cannot be compared on measured performance.

Users should pick the Core 5 120UL if they need a processor with verified performance in single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks, a lower power draw, and a smaller platform footprint. Its 68th percentile ranking across all CPUs means it outperforms a majority of recorded processors in the database. Users should pick the Core 7 251E if they need a high-core-count, high-thread-count part with a larger L3 cache, PCIe Gen 5 support, ECC memory support, and a higher clock ceiling. The Core 7 251E also carries a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core 5 120UL has no recorded launch MSRP.

The verdict from the recorded data is straightforward: the Core 5 120UL is a proven, benchmarked mid-range part, while the Core 7 251E is a high-end platform play whose performance has not yet been recorded in the database. Users who rely on measured results should favor the Core 5 120UL. Users who prioritize core count, cache size, and modern I/O should favor the Core 7 251E.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table in the database is empty, so there are no direct matchups between the Core 5 120UL and Core 7 251E. The Core 5 120UL has 17 recorded benchmark scores, while the Core 7 251E has none. The biggest wins for the Core 5 120UL are therefore its entire measured suite.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 120UL scores 8974, which indicates strong multi-threaded capability for a 15 W part. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1266. In Cinebench R20, it records 3769 multi-core and 531 single-core. In Cinebench R15, it records 904 multi-core and 127 single-core. These scores are the only measured multi-thread and single-thread results available for either processor.

In PassMark tests, the Core 5 120UL scores 10558 in multi-thread, 2080 in single-thread, 38060 in integer math, 26311 in floating-point math, 109090 in data compression, 7685 in data encryption, 5203 in extended instructions, 47 in find prime numbers, 807 in physics, and 13610 in random string sorting. These results show a balanced profile: integer math and data compression are strong, while prime-number generation is comparatively weak.

The Core 7 251E has no recorded scores in any of these tests. Its only quantitative advantages come from its specifications: 24 cores versus 10, 32 threads versus 12, 36 MB of L3 versus 12 MB, 2 MB of L2 per core versus 1.25 MB, a 5.60 GHz boost clock versus 4.60 GHz, and a 2.10 GHz base clock versus 1.30 GHz. The Core 7 251E also lists 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, a figure absent for the Core 5 120UL.

Because the head-to-head table is empty, the largest measured win belongs entirely to the Core 5 120UL by default. The Core 7 251E wins on paper, but not on recorded benchmarks. The data cannot confirm any performance advantage for the Core 7 251E in real workloads, only a specification advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E boosts to 5.60 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120UL boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: Does the Core 5 120UL have any recorded benchmark advantages?

A: Yes. The Core 5 120UL has 17 recorded benchmark scores, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 8974 and a PassMark multi-thread score of 10558. The Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120UL does not.

Q: What are the cache differences between the two processors?

A: The Core 5 120UL has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 251E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has newer PCIe support?

A: The Core 7 251E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The Core 5 120UL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Core 5 120UL has a TDP of 15 W. The Core 7 251E has a TDP of 65 W.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Core 5 120UL is built on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS codename, and belongs to the Core 5 generation. The Core 7 251E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 7 generation. Both use a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, but the Core 7 251E has a recorded die size of 257 mm², while the Core 5 120UL has no die size recorded.

Core and thread counts differ sharply. The Core 5 120UL uses 10 cores and 12 threads, which suggests a hybrid layout with performance and efficiency cores. The Core 7 251E uses 24 cores and 32 threads, indicating a higher core count for parallel workloads. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: the Core 5 120UL has 1.25 MB per core, while the Core 7 251E has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache also differs, with 12 MB shared on the Core 5 120UL versus 36 MB shared on the Core 7 251E.

Clock speeds favor the Core 7 251E. Its base clock is 2.10 GHz and boost clock is 5.60 GHz. The Core 5 120UL has a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. TDP scales accordingly: 15 W for the Core 5 120UL and 65 W for the Core 7 251E. Both use Intel Socket 1700.

Memory support is similar in type, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The Core 7 251E adds a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and ECC memory support. The Core 5 120UL has no memory bandwidth recorded and does not support ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities differ significantly. The Core 5 120UL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes. The Core 7 251E provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. This gives the Core 7 251E twice the lane count and a newer generation for storage and expansion.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 5 120UL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Core 7 251E uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core 5 120UL is a desktop-market processor with active production status and a release date in early April 2024. The Core 7 251E is also a desktop-market processor with active production status and a release date in mid-January 2025. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 7 251E has a recorded part number of SRQDUQ657 and a launch MSRP of $384, while the Core 5 120UL has no part number or launch MSRP recorded.