Core 5 120 vs Xeon W-11955M

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 Xeon W-11955M 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 Xeon W-11955M: 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 $283 less on MSRP ($340 MSRP vs $623 MSRP).
✅Delivers 82.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 34.8 PassMark/$ ($340 MSRP vs $623 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-11955M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,629 vs 21,702).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-11955M, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Xeon W-11955M

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 34.8 vs 63.6 PassMark/$ ($623 MSRP vs $340 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core 5 120 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-11955M better than Core 5 120?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-11955M makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core 5 120 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-11955M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.0% 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, Xeon W-11955M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

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

Xeon W-11955M is still the faster CPU overall, but Core 5 120 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon W-11955M comes in 83.2% more expensive on MSRP at $623 MSRP versus $340 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 5 120 is also 82.6% better value on MSRP (63.6 vs 34.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds 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 2021) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120 vs Xeon W-11955M 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.

Xeon W-11955M

The Xeon W-11955M 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,702 points. Launch price was $623.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-11955M offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon W-11955M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core 5 120 versus 5 GHz on the Xeon W-11955M — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon W-11955M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon W-11955M uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core 5 120 scores 21,629 against the Xeon W-11955M's 21,702 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon W-11955M. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 120 vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon W-11955M.

Feature	Core 5 120	Xeon W-11955M
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
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	21,702

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon W-11955M uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120	Xeon W-11955M
Socket	LGA1700	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120 was priced at $340, while the Xeon W-11955M came in at $623. On launch pricing ($340 vs $623), Core 5 120 was $283 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120 delivers 63.6 pts/$ vs 34.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-11955M — making the Core 5 120 the 58.5% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120	Xeon W-11955M
MSRP	$340-45%	$623
Performance per Dollar	63.6+83%	34.8
Release Date	2025	2021

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