Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core i3-1210U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1210U has 6 cores and 8 threads. This gives the Core 5 120UL a 4-core, 4-thread advantage in raw parallelism.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The data shows a split result. In Cinebench single-core tests, the Core 5 120UL wins all three rounds by roughly 6.7% each (127 vs 119 in R15, 531 vs 498 in R20, 1266 vs 1187 in R23). However, in PassMark's single-thread test, the i3-1210U leads by 38% (3354 vs 2080), which is a substantial reversal.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Core 5 120UL wins every multi-threaded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. The Cinebench R23 multicore score is 8974 vs 8413, a 6.7% advantage. PassMark multithread shows a smaller 3.2% lead (10558 vs 10228), while floating point math shows a 10.5% gap (26311 vs 23815).

Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two?

A: The Core 5 120UL has a TDP of 15, while the i3-1210U has a TDP of 9. The i3-1210U is designed for lower power operation, which aligns with its mobile market segment.

Q: What are the integrated graphics configurations?

A: The Core 5 120UL features Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the i3-1210U features UHD Graphics with 64 execution units. The Core 5 120UL has more execution units in its integrated GPU.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core 5 120UL has an average benchmark score of 13594, while the i3-1210U sits at 12795. Both processors occupy the 68th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are in the same performance tier overall.

Architecture Differences

The Core 5 120UL is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS variant, while the i3-1210U uses Alder Lake architecture in its Alder Lake-U form. Both are manufactured on a 10 nm process node by Intel, so the transistor-level fabrication is identical.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores with 12 threads, whereas the i3-1210U offers 6 cores with 8 threads. This is a hybrid-architecture difference: the Raptor Lake-PS desktop part can allocate more physical cores, while the Alder Lake-U mobile part uses fewer cores to manage power. The L3 cache also differs: the Core 5 120UL has 12 MB shared, while the i3-1210U has 10 MB shared. L1 and L2 cache are identical at 80 KB per core and 1.25 MB per core, respectively.

Clock speeds present a notable distinction. The Core 5 120UL has a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The i3-1210U lists a base clock of 1000.00 MHz (1.00 GHz) and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Core 5 120UL therefore has both a higher base and a higher boost ceiling.

The socket and packaging differ completely. The Core 5 120UL uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop platform, while the i3-1210U uses Intel BGA 1781, a soldered mobile package. This affects upgradability: Socket 1700 allows for processor replacement in compatible boards, while BGA 1781 is typically fixed to the motherboard. The market segments confirm this, with the Core 5 120UL listed as Desktop and the i3-1210U as Mobile.

PCIe support differs in lane configuration. The Core 5 120UL specifies PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-1210U simply lists PCIe Gen 4 without a lane count. Memory support is identical: both accept DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The release dates are separated by roughly two years: the i3-1210U launched on 2022-02-22, and the Core 5 120UL followed on 2024-04-07. Both are still in active production.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on usage context. For desktop-oriented workloads that benefit from more cores and higher sustained boost clocks, the Core 5 120UL is the stronger choice. It wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, including every Cinebench test and most PassMark workloads. Its 10-core, 12-thread configuration and higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz give it a consistent edge in multi-threaded rendering, encryption, and floating-point math.

For mobile or power-constrained environments, the i3-1210U makes more sense. Its 9 TDP versus 15 TDP means lower thermal output, which is critical in thin-and-light laptops. The PassMark single-thread result of 3354 versus 2080 (a 38% lead) is a surprising anomaly, but it suggests that in specific single-threaded PassMark workloads, the i3-1210U can outperform the Core 5 120UL despite lower clocks and fewer cores. The i3-1210U also wins in extended instructions (5852 vs 5203, an 11.1% advantage) and prime number finding (51 vs 47, a 7.8% lead).

The verdict is not a blanket recommendation. Users who prioritize raw compute throughput in a desktop chassis should pick the Core 5 120UL. Users who need a low-power mobile processor with competitive single-threaded PassMark performance should pick the i3-1210U. The 68th percentile ranking for both indicates they sit at the same overall performance level, but the workload distribution favors different parts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120UL | Intel Core i3-1210U |

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

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.30 GHz | 1000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 | 9 |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 1781 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-PS | Alder Lake-U |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) | Core i3 (Alder Lake-U) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 10 MB (shared) |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | UHD Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2024-04-07 | 2022-02-22 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive win for the Core 5 120UL comes in data encryption, where it scores 7685 versus 6348, a 21.1% advantage. This is the largest positive delta in either direction. Random string sorting also favors the Core 5 120UL by 16.1% (13610 vs 11727), indicating a strong lead in memory-access-heavy workloads.

Floating-point and integer math show identical 10.5% gaps in favor of the Core 5 120UL: 26311 vs 23815 for floating point, and 38060 vs 34445 for integer math. These are consistent across the PassMark math suite. Data compression is a narrower win at 5.9% (109090 vs 102965).

The Cinebench suite is uniform. Every single Cinebench test, single-core or multi-core, shows a 6.7% lead for the Core 5 120UL, except for R20 single-core which is 6.6%. This consistency suggests the Raptor Lake architecture delivers a steady clock-for-clock advantage in this rendering workload.

The i3-1210U takes the remaining four wins. The PassMark single-thread test is its largest victory at 38% (3354 vs 2080), which is a dramatic outlier given the Cinebench results. Extended instructions go to the i3-1210U by 11.1% (5852 vs 5203). Prime number finding is a 7.8% win for the i3-1210U (51 vs 47). These wins are concentrated in PassMark-specific workloads rather than rendering tasks.

The multithread PassMark score is close: 10558 for the Core 5 120UL versus 10228 for the i3-1210U, a 3.2% margin. Physics shows a similar 3.3% gap (807 vs 781). These are the weakest wins for the Core 5 120UL, indicating that in some parallel workloads the additional cores do not translate into proportionally larger gains.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 120UL dominates in rendering and compute-heavy tasks. All Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests go its way, making it the clear choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and any workload that relies on multi-core CPU throughput. Its wins in encryption and random string sorting also point to strengths in data security and database operations. The floating-point and integer math advantages suggest it handles scientific computing and financial modeling better.

The i3-1210U wins in specific PassMark categories. The 38% single-thread lead is the most striking, indicating that in certain lightweight, single-threaded applications, the mobile chip can actually outperform the desktop part. Extended instruction wins suggest it handles SIMD-style workloads more efficiently. Prime number finding, a benchmark of integer iteration, also favors the i3-1210U. These wins are narrow in absolute terms (51 vs 47) but consistent.

For users, the split is practical. A desktop workstation with sustained power delivery benefits from the Core 5 120UL's 10 cores and higher boost clock. A laptop user who values battery life and runs mixed workloads may prefer the i3-1210U's 9 TDP and its surprising single-thread PassMark performance. The data does not support a single universal winner; it supports two different tools for two different environments.