Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus across all 17 recorded comparisons. The Intel Core 5 120UL does not win a single test, with the Ultra 7 270K Plus holding victory in every Cinebench and PassMark workload. The margins are substantial, ranging from a 48.1% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core to a 92.4% lead in PassMark's find prime numbers test.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the multicore results show the most extreme separation. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 6656 against 904 for the Core 5 120UL, a delta of -86.4% from the perspective of the smaller chip. Cinebench R20 multicore follows the same pattern: 24461 versus 3769, again -84.6%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ultra 7 270K Plus delivers 44253 points compared to 8974, a -79.7% delta. These are not marginal gaps; the Ultra 7 270K Plus is delivering roughly 4 to 7 times the multicore performance depending on the specific workload.

Single-core Cinebench results tell a similar but somewhat less extreme story. The Ultra 7 270K Plus records 354 in Cinebench R15 single-core against 127 for the Core 5 120UL, a -64.1% delta. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the scores are 3453 and 531, a -84.6% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the narrowest gap of any test at -48.1%, with 2439 points for the Ultra 7 270K Plus and 1266 for the Core 5 120UL. Even at its closest, the Ultra 7 270K Plus still nearly doubles the Core 5 120UL's single-threaded score.

The PassMark workloads reinforce the same hierarchy. In data compression, the Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 804322 against 109090, a -86.4% delta. Data encryption shows 59097 versus 7685, a -87% gap. Extended instructions deliver 63506 versus 5203, a -91.8% delta. Find prime numbers shows the largest relative gap at -92.4%, with 615 points versus 47. Floating point math records 229491 versus 26311, an -88.5% delta. Integer math shows 175986 versus 38060, a -78.4% delta. The multithread PassMark score is 68574 versus 10558, a -84.6% delta. Physics scores 4064 versus 807, a -80.1% delta. Random string sorting records 96945 versus 13610, a -86% delta. Finally, single-thread PassMark shows 5068 versus 2080, a -59% delta, with the same values appearing in both the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread entries.

The overall average benchmark score in the database places the Core 5 120UL at 13594, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus averages 93785. The percentile ranking also reflects the divide: the Core 5 120UL sits at the 68th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus sits at the 96th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 120UL are the Intel Core i3-12100F with an average score of 13494 and a 0.7% delta, the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 with a 0.8% delta, the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 with a 1.1% delta, and the Intel Core 3 304 at 13745 with a -1.1% delta. The Ultra 7 270K Plus sits alongside the Intel Xeon 6520P at 93786 with a 0% delta, the AMD EPYC 4564P at 95183 with a -1.5% delta, the AMD EPYC 9175F at 95615 with a -1.9% delta, and the AMD EPYC 4565P at 95764 with a -2.1% delta.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is in a completely different performance tier. Every recorded benchmark, without exception, shows the Ultra 7 270K Plus ahead by a wide margin. The Core 5 120UL registers zero wins across the entire head-to-head set. For workloads involving multicore rendering, data compression, encryption, floating-point math, integer math, or any of the other PassMark tasks, the Ultra 7 270K Plus delivers between roughly 1.9 times and 13 times the performance of the Core 5 120UL, depending on the test.

The Core 5 120UL's closest relative performance comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it trails by 48.1%, and in PassMark single-thread, where it trails by 59%. Even in these best-case scenarios for the smaller chip, the Ultra 7 270K Plus still nearly doubles its output. In heavily parallel workloads such as Cinebench R15 multicore, data compression, and extended instructions, the Core 5 120UL falls behind by more than 86% in each case.

The Core 5 120UL does occupy a space in the database near other modest desktop parts. Its average score of 13594 places it within 1.1% of the Intel Core i5-9500 and within 0.8% of the Intel Core 3 N355. Those rivalries are close, with deltas of 0.7%, 0.8%, and 1.1% respectively. The Core 5 120UL is not an outlier in its own tier; it is a competitive entry in the lower-performance segment. The Ultra 7 270K Plus, by contrast, matches the Intel Xeon 6520P exactly with a 0% delta and sits within 2.1% of several AMD EPYC server processors. The data positions these two CPUs in entirely separate market segments, with no meaningful overlap in benchmark outcomes.

For a system that needs heavy compute, the Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear selection based on every recorded metric. For a system where the workload is light and the Core 5 120UL's performance tier is sufficient, the data shows it competes closely with other entries around the 13500 average score mark. There is no benchmark evidence in the database that the Core 5 120UL can approach the Ultra 7 270K Plus in any workload category.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins all single-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 2439 versus 1266, a -48.1% delta. In PassMark single-thread it scores 5068 versus 2080, a -59% delta.

Q: How large is the multicore gap between the two?

A: The multicore gap is substantial in every Cinebench test. In R15 multicore the Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 6656 versus 904, a -86.4% delta. In R20 multicore it scores 24461 versus 3769, a -84.6% delta. In R23 multicore it scores 44253 versus 8974, a -79.7% delta.

Q: What are the nearest competitors for the Core 5 120UL?

A: The nearest rivals in the database are the Intel Core i3-12100F with an average score of 13494 (0.7% delta), the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 (0.8% delta), the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 (1.1% delta), and the Intel Core 3 304 at 13745 (-1.1% delta).

Q: What are the nearest competitors for the Ultra 7 270K Plus?

A: The nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon 6520P at 93786 (0% delta), the AMD EPYC 4564P at 95183 (-1.5% delta), the AMD EPYC 9175F at 95615 (-1.9% delta), and the AMD EPYC 4565P at 95764 (-2.1% delta).

Q: Does the Core 5 120UL win any benchmark in the comparison?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows zero wins for the Core 5 120UL across all 17 recorded benchmark comparisons.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Core 5 120UL has an average benchmark score of 13594 and sits at the 68th percentile. The Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average benchmark score of 93785 and sits at the 96th percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 1.30 GHz for the Core 5 120UL and 3.70 GHz for the Ultra 7 270K Plus. Boost clocks are 4.60 GHz and 5.50 GHz respectively. The Core 5 120UL has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus has a TDP of 125 watts.

The sockets differ entirely: the Core 5 120UL uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. The Core 5 120UL's architecture is listed as Raptor Lake, and the Ultra 7 270K Plus's architecture field is null, though its codename is Arrow Lake Refresh and its generation is listed as Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake). The process node is 10 nm for the Core 5 120UL, built by Intel, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Ultra 7 270K Plus also lists 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm², while those fields are null for the Core 5 120UL.

Cache configurations differ at every level. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for the Core 5 120UL and 192 KB per core for the Ultra 7 270K Plus. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. L3 cache is 12 MB shared versus 36 MB shared. Memory support differs as well: the Core 5 120UL supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the Ultra 7 270K Plus lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s while the Core 5 120UL has no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is not supported on the Core 5 120UL but is supported on the Ultra 7 270K Plus.

PCIe capabilities differ. The Core 5 120UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 7 270K Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 120UL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The multiplier is locked on the Core 5 120UL and unlocked on the Ultra 7 270K Plus. The release dates are recorded as 2024-04-07 for the Core 5 120UL and 2026-03-10 for the Ultra 7 270K Plus. The Ultra 7 270K Plus has a launch MSRP of $299, while the Core 5 120UL has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is fundamental. The Core 5 120UL is built on Raptor Lake with the codename Raptor Lake-PS, using a 10 nm process from Intel. The Ultra 7 270K Plus is built on Arrow Lake Refresh with the codename Arrow Lake, using a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Core 5 120UL belongs to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) generation, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus belongs to the Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake) generation and is part of the Core Ultra Series 2.

The core and thread counts reflect different design philosophies. The Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement where some cores lack hyper-threading. The Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning every core contributes exactly one thread. The cache hierarchy scales accordingly: the Ultra 7 270K Plus provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3, versus 80 KB, 1.25 MB, and 12 MB for the Core 5 120UL.

The integrated graphics also differ in architecture. The Core 5 120UL relies on Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The memory controller on the Core 5 120UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus is DDR5-only and lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Ultra 7 270K Plus also adds ECC memory support, which the Core 5 120UL lacks. PCIe connectivity jumps from Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the Core 5 120UL to Gen 5 with 20 lanes on the Ultra 7 270K Plus. The Ultra 7 270K Plus has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Core 5 120UL does not.