Core 5 120UL vs Core i7-6800K

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 i7-6800K 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 i7-6800K: 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: +11.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $157 less on MSRP ($277 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).
✅Delivers 54.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.1 vs 24.7 PassMark/$ ($277 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,558 vs 10,715).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).

Core i7-6800K

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120UL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.7 vs 38.1 PassMark/$ ($434 MSRP vs $277 MSRP).
❌833.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core 5 120UL moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120UL better than Core i7-6800K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 5 120UL is ahead with a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6800K pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. Core i7-6800K also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6800K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core 5 120UL is the better buy right now. Core 5 120UL comes in $157 cheaper on MSRP at $277 MSRP versus $434 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-6800K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.5% better PassMark. It is also 54.4% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 24.7 PassMark/$), 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 120UL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2016) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120UL vs Core i7-6800K 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 i7-6800K

The Core i7-6800K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,715 points. Launch price was $345.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-6800K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core 5 120UL has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core 5 120UL versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6800K — a 19% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-6800K uses Broadwell-E (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Core i7-6800K's 10,715 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-6800K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120UL vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6800K.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-6800K
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+21%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3.4 GHz+162%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-PS (2024)	Broadwell-E (2016)
PassMark	10,558	10,715+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120UL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-6800K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-6800K
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120UL was priced at $277, while the Core i7-6800K came in at $434. On launch pricing ($277 vs $434), Core 5 120UL was $157 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120UL delivers 38.1 pts/$ vs 24.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-6800K — making the Core 5 120UL the 42.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-6800K
MSRP	$277-36%	$434
Performance per Dollar	38.1+54%	24.7
Release Date	2024	2016

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