Core 5 120U vs Core i9-9900

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 120U vs Core i9-9900 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 120U vs Core i9-9900: 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 120U

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,225 vs 16,238).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-9900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-9900.

Core i9-9900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core 5 120U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core 5 120U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $423 MSRP, while Core 5 120U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core 5 120U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-9900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.2% 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 i9-9900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.2% 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 i9-9900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-9900 is the better buy right now. Core i9-9900 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $423 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 120U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120U vs Core i9-9900 Technical Specifications

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

Core 5 120U

The Core 5 120U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 16,225 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-9900

The Core i9-9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,238 points. Launch price was $439.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9900 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core 5 120U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core 5 120U versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-9900 uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120U scores 16,225 against the Core i9-9900's 16,238 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-9900. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120U vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core 5 120U	Core i9-9900
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	3.1 GHz+121%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	16,225	16,238
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	7,619
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,637
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,619

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9900 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120U	Core i9-9900
Socket	FCBGA1744	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 120U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900). The Core i9-9900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core 5 120U requires a dedicated GPU.