Core 5 120 vs Core i9-9900X

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 i9-9900X 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 i9-9900X: 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

✅Costs $649 less on MSRP ($340 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Delivers 190.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($340 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,629 vs 21,655).

Core i9-9900X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.9 vs 63.6 PassMark/$ ($989 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core 5 120 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900X better than Core 5 120?

Yes. Core i9-9900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-9900X is still the faster CPU overall, but Core 5 120 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9900X comes in 190.9% more expensive on MSRP at $989 MSRP versus $340 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 5 120 is also 190.5% better value on MSRP (63.6 vs 21.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core 5 120 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120 vs Core i9-9900X 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 i9-9900X

The Core i9-9900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 21,655 points. Launch price was $989.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9900X offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-9900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9900X — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-9900X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Core i9-9900X's 21,655 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-9900X. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i9-9900X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)	19.25 MB (total)+7%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+25%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	21,629	21,655
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	13,985
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,459
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,475

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9900X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i9-9900X
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	44

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900X).

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i9-9900X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120 was priced at $340, while the Core i9-9900X came in at $989. On launch pricing ($340 vs $989), Core 5 120 was $649 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 21.9 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900X — making the Core 5 120 the 97.6% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120	Core i9-9900X
MSRP	$340-66%	$989
Performance per Dollar	63.6+190%	21.9
Release Date	2025	2018

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