Core 5 120UL vs Core i3-12100TE

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 120UL vs Core i3-12100TE 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 120UL vs Core i3-12100TE: 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 120UL

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 38.1 vs 70.0 PassMark/$ ($277 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-12100TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-12100TE

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $128 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $277 MSRP).
✅Delivers 83.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 70.0 vs 38.1 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $277 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 730, while Core 5 120UL needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120UL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,432 vs 10,558).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120UL better than Core i3-12100TE?

Yes. Core 5 120UL is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% 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 120UL is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.6% 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 120UL is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core 5 120UL is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-12100TE is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core 5 120UL comes in 85.9% more expensive on MSRP at $277 MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-12100TE is also 83.7% better value on MSRP (70.0 vs 38.1 PassMark/$), 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 120UL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 5 120UL vs Core i3-12100TE Technical Specifications

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

Core 5 120UL

The Core 5 120UL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,558 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-12100TE

The Core i3-12100TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 10,432 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i3-12100TE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core 5 120UL has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core 5 120UL versus 4 GHz on the Core i3-12100TE — a 14% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-12100TE uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Core i3-12100TE's 10,432 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 5 120UL. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i3-12100TE
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+150%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+15%	4 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.1 GHz+62%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-PS (2024)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	10,558+1%	10,432
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,100

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1700 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i3-12100TE
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-4800
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120UL) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100TE). The Core i3-12100TE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Core 5 120UL requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-12100TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100TE rivals Ryzen Embedded V2000.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i3-12100TE
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 730
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120UL was priced at $277, while the Core i3-12100TE came in at $149. On launch pricing ($277 vs $149), Core i3-12100TE was $128 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120UL delivers 38.1 pts/$ vs 70.0 pts/$ for the Core i3-12100TE — making the Core i3-12100TE the 59% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i3-12100TE
MSRP	$277	$149-46%
Performance per Dollar	38.1	70.0+84%
Release Date	2024	2022

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