Core 5 120U vs Core Ultra 7 155U

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 Ultra 7 155U 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 Ultra 7 155U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core Ultra 7 155U

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (16,185 vs 16,225).

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120U better than Core Ultra 7 155U?

Yes. Core 5 120U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 5 120U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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 5 120U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core 5 120U still makes the most sense overall. Core 5 120U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 12/14. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120U vs Core Ultra 7 155U 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 Ultra 7 155U

The Core Ultra 7 155U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,185 points. Launch price was $490.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 155U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 155U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core 5 120U versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155U — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core 5 120U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 155U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120U scores 16,225 against the Core Ultra 7 155U's 16,185 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 5 120U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 5 120U	Core Ultra 7 155U
Cores / Threads	10 / 12	12 / 14+20%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+4%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	1.7 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm	7 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)	Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark	16,225	16,185

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 155U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.