Core 5 120 vs Ryzen 7 PRO 250
Core 5 120
Ryzen 7 PRO 250
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 5 120
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 PRO 250
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 5 120 | Ryzen 7 PRO 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($340) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($380) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) / 4 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 5 120 | Ryzen 7 PRO 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+11%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($340) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($380) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 5 120 and Ryzen 7 PRO 250
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.
Ryzen 7 PRO 250
The Ryzen 7 PRO 250 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,789 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core 5 120 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 250 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 PRO 250 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 PRO 250 — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 PRO 250 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 250 uses Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Ryzen 7 PRO 250's 21,789 — a 0.7% lead for the Ryzen 7 PRO 250. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 7 PRO 250.
| Feature | Core 5 120 | Ryzen 7 PRO 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 16+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz | 5.1 GHz+13% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.3 GHz+32% |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total)+13% | 16 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 8 MB+540% |
| Process | 10 nm | 4 nm-60% |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) | Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) |
| PassMark | 21,629 | 21,789 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 5 120 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 250 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 5 120 | Ryzen 7 PRO 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | FP8 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
Value Analysis
The Core 5 120 launched at $340 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 250 debuted at $400. At current prices ($340 vs $380), the Core 5 120 is $40 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 57.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 PRO 250 — making the Core 5 120 the 10.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core 5 120 | Ryzen 7 PRO 250 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $340-15% | $400 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $340-11% | $380 |
| Performance per Dollar | 63.6+11% | 57.3 |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2025 |
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