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 i7-9700K 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 i7-9700K: 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

✅+50.2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $45 less on MSRP ($340 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 70.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($340 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core 5 120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 21,629).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 63.6 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core 5 120 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120 better than Core i7-9700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 19.2% 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 50.2% better PassMark. Core 5 120 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 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 50.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core 5 120 is the better buy right now. Core 5 120 comes in $45 cheaper on MSRP at $340 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 50.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 19.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 70.1% better value on MSRP (63.6 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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 2018), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120 vs Core i7-9700K 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 i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 40.1% lead for the Core 5 120. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.9 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	21,629+50%	14,397

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-9700K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core 5 120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
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 i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($340 vs $385), Core 5 120 was $45 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core 5 120 the 51.9% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$340-12%	$385
Performance per Dollar	63.6+70%	37.4
Release Date	2025	2018

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