Core 5 120 vs Core i7-11700B

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 5 120 vs Core i7-11700B FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 5 120 vs Core i7-11700B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 5 120

2025

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-11700B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌
5.3% HIGHER MSRP
$340 MSRPvs$323 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11700B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-11700B

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Costs $17 less on MSRP ($323 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 750, while Core 5 120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,581 vs 21,629).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core 5 120 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120 better than Core i7-11700B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-11700B is ahead with a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 5 120 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-11700B also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 5 120 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 5 120 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core 5 120 comes in 5.3% more expensive on MSRP at $340 MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-11700B only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 5 120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2021), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120 vs Core i7-11700B Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 5 120

The Core 5 120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,629 points. Launch price was $211.

Core i7-11700B

The Core i7-11700B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: Up to 3200 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 21,581 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-11700B offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-11700B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11700B — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-11700B (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-11700B uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Core i7-11700B's 21,581 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 5 120. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11700B.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-11700B
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.8 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm SuperFin
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	21,629	21,581
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	10,287
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,265
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,050

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-11700B uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-11700B
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-11700B). The Core i7-11700B includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 750), while the Core 5 120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11700B targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-11700B
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 750
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120 was priced at $340, while the Core i7-11700B came in at $323. On launch pricing ($340 vs $323), Core i7-11700B was $17 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 66.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-11700B — making the Core i7-11700B the 4.9% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-11700B
MSRP	$340	$323-5%
Performance per Dollar	63.6	66.8+5%
Release Date	2025	2021

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