Core 5 120UL vs Core i5-9600KF

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 i5-9600KF 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 i5-9600KF: 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: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,558 vs 10,646).
❌
5.7% HIGHER MSRP
$277 MSRPvs$262 MSRP

Core i5-9600KF

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($262 MSRP vs $277 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120UL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core 5 120UL moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120UL better than Core i5-9600KF?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 5 120UL is ahead with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600KF pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core 5 120UL also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9600KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core 5 120UL is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-9600KF is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core 5 120UL comes in 5.7% more expensive on MSRP at $277 MSRP versus $262 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-9600KF is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-9600KF is also 6.6% better value on MSRP (40.6 vs 38.1 PassMark/$), 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 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120UL vs Core i5-9600KF 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 i5-9600KF

The Core i5-9600KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,646 points. Launch price was $262.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-9600KF offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core 5 120UL has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core 5 120UL versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600KF — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-9600KF uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Core i5-9600KF's 10,646 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-9600KF. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120UL vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600KF.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i5-9600KF
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+185%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+33%	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-PS (2024)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	10,558	10,646
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	7,301
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120UL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-9600KF uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i5-9600KF
Socket	LGA1700	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

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120UL) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9600KF). Primary use case: Core i5-9600KF targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i5-9600KF
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120UL was priced at $277, while the Core i5-9600KF came in at $262. On launch pricing ($277 vs $262), Core i5-9600KF was $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120UL delivers 38.1 pts/$ vs 40.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-9600KF — making the Core i5-9600KF the 6.4% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i5-9600KF
MSRP	$277	$262-5%
Performance per Dollar	38.1	40.6+7%
Release Date	2024	2019

Search Core 5 120UL on Amazon

Search Core i5-9600KF on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.