Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H delivers a decisive performance advantage over the Intel Core 5 120UL across every benchmark recorded in the database. The data shows a complete sweep, with the Core Ultra 5 336H winning all 17 head-to-head comparisons, often by significant margins that place it in a higher performance tier entirely. The Core 5 120UL, while a capable 10-core desktop processor, is outclassed in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads by the newer mobile chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the magnitude of the multi-core performance gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 336H scores 23,991 points against 8,974 for the Core 5 120UL, a delta of -62.6% from the perspective of the 120UL. This pattern repeats across all Cinebench versions: R15 multi-core shows 2,418 versus 904, and R20 multi-core shows 10,076 versus 3,769, both with identical -62.6% deltas. The data indicates the Core Ultra 5 336H delivers roughly 2.7 times the multi-threaded throughput of the Core 5 120UL in these rendering workloads.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though with a slightly smaller gap. Cinebench R23 single-core scores are 3,387 for the Core Ultra 5 336H and 1,266 for the Core 5 120UL, a -62.6% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1,422 versus 531 (-62.7%), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 341 versus 127 (-62.8%). The PassMark single-thread test confirms the trend: 4,013 versus 2,080, a -48.2% delta. The Core Ultra 5 336H leads by a smaller portion in this metric, but the advantage remains substantial.

The specialized PassMark workloads reveal where the architectural differences are most pronounced. The largest delta appears in the find prime numbers test, where the Core Ultra 5 336H scores 299 versus 47 for the Core 5 120UL, a -84.3% delta. Extended instructions also show a massive gap: 24,542 versus 5,203, a -78.8% delta. Floating point math favors the Core Ultra 5 336H by 82,415 to 26,311 (-68.1%), and physics processing shows 2,682 versus 807 (-69.9%). Data encryption scores 21,291 against 7,685 (-63.9%), while data compression shows 280,340 versus 109,090 (-61.1%). Random string sorting completes the sweep with 34,402 versus 13,610 (-60.4%).

The narrowest delta appears in integer math, where the Core Ultra 5 336H scores 62,070 against 38,060 for the Core 5 120UL, a -38.7% delta. Even this "closest" result represents a considerable performance advantage. The average benchmark score for the Core Ultra 5 336H is 34,485, which places it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 5 120UL averages 13,594, good for the 68th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 5 336H include the Intel Core i7-13700HX (average score 34,554, delta -0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X (average score 34,260, delta 0.7%), indicating it sits in established high-performance territory. The Core 5 120UL, by contrast, is closest to the Intel Core i3-12100F (13,494, delta 0.7%) and the Intel Core 3 N355 (13,492, delta 0.8%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design generations and market targets. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. It is a desktop part in the Raptor Lake-PS family, designed for the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H uses the Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node, also fabricated by Intel, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 family as a mobile processor in the Panther Lake-H generation. It uses the Intel BGA 2540 socket, which is not socketed and is instead mounted directly to the motherboard.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Core 5 120UL therefore uses hyper-threading to reach 12 threads from 10 cores, whereas the Core Ultra 5 336H runs one thread per core. Despite the lower thread count relative to its core count, the Core Ultra 5 336H still dominates multi-threaded benchmarks, which points to a substantial per-core performance advantage rather than a simple core-count advantage.

Cache hierarchies are larger on the Core Ultra 5 336H across every level. Level 1 cache is 192 KB per core versus 80 KB per core. Level 2 cache is 2.5 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core. Level 3 cache is 18 MB shared versus 12 MB shared. The base clock favors the Core Ultra 5 336H at 1.90 GHz against 1.30 GHz, while the boost clock is identical at 4.60 GHz for both parts. Thermal design power differs as well: the Core 5 120UL is rated at 15 W, while the Core Ultra 5 336H is rated at 25 W, reflecting the mobile part's higher performance envelope.

Memory support diverges along generational lines. The Core 5 120UL supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the Core Ultra 5 336H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is a major differentiator: the Core 5 120UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 5 336H provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with the Core 5 120UL using Iris Xe Graphics 80EU and the Core Ultra 5 336H using Intel Xe3 Graphics.

The release dates place these parts in different eras. The Core 5 120UL was released in April 2024, while the Core Ultra 5 336H was released in January 2026. Both processors are currently listed as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H is the superior processor in every measured workload, with deltas ranging from -38.7% to -84.3% against the Core 5 120UL. Its 84th percentile ranking versus the 68th percentile for the Core 5 120UL places it firmly in a higher performance class. The Core Ultra 5 336H competes with high-end desktop processors like the Intel Core i7-13700HX and the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, while the Core 5 120UL sits near entry-level parts like the Intel Core i3-12100F.

The Core 5 120UL does hold practical advantages that the benchmark scores do not capture. It is a desktop processor on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which allows for user-installed cooling and system upgrades. Its 15 W TDP is lower than the 25 W TDP of the Core Ultra 5 336H, and its support for DDR4 memory provides an easier migration path for existing systems. The Core 5 120UL also uses the older 10 nm process node, which may be more mature for desktop integration.

For raw performance, the Core Ultra 5 336H is the clear choice. Its 16 cores, larger cache, newer 3 nm process node, and higher base clock deliver results that the Core 5 120UL cannot approach. The mobile form factor and BGA 2540 socket mean it is not a drop-in replacement for a desktop system, but for applications where compute density matters, the Core Ultra 5 336H delivers approximately 2.5 times the average benchmark score of the Core 5 120UL.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120UL | Intel Core Ultra 5 336H |

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

| Cores | 10 | 16 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.30 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | April 2024 | January 2026 |

| Part Number | unknown | SA4RD |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H scores 3,387 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core 5 120UL scores 1,266, a delta of -62.6%.

Q: Do both processors use the same boost clock?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 120UL and the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H have a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X only.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has an average benchmark score of 34,485, placing it in the 84th percentile. The Intel Core 5 120UL has an average score of 13,594, placing it in the 68th percentile.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL uses a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H uses a 3 nm process node, both fabricated by Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. Its largest advantages appear in PassMark find prime numbers (-84.3%), extended instructions (-78.8%), and physics (-69.9%), which indicate strong performance in integer-heavy scientific computing, SIMD vector workloads, and physics simulation. The Cinebench suite shows consistent -62.6% to -62.8% deltas across all versions, confirming that rendering and 3D content creation workloads benefit substantially from the Core Ultra 5 336H. Data compression, encryption, and random string sorting also favor the Core Ultra 5 336H, making it the appropriate choice for server-side data processing, archival tasks, and database operations.

The Intel Core 5 120UL does not win any benchmark, but its profile suggests specific use cases where the gap matters less. The narrowest delta is in integer math at -38.7%, meaning the Core 5 120UL is relatively strongest in general arithmetic workloads. Its lower 15 W TDP indicates it draws less power than the 25 W Core Ultra 5 336H, which can be relevant in thermally constrained desktop environments. The desktop socket and DDR4 support make it a viable option for upgrading existing Socket 1700 systems without replacing the motherboard or memory, and the 10 nm process node represents a more established manufacturing baseline. The Core 5 120UL also has the same 4.60 GHz boost clock as the Core Ultra 5 336H, so lightly threaded workloads that rely on peak frequency can reach similar clock speeds. For any workload where multi-threaded throughput, cache capacity, or memory bandwidth matters, the data supports the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H as the stronger processor.