Core 5 120UL vs Core i7-9700T

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 i7-9700T 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 i7-9700T: 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: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $46 less on MSRP ($277 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.1 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($277 MSRP vs $323 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,558 vs 10,618).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700T

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, 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 per dollar, at 32.9 vs 38.1 PassMark/$ ($323 MSRP vs $277 MSRP).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W 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 i7-9700T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 5 120UL is ahead with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9700T pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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 $46 cheaper on MSRP at $277 MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-9700T is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 15.9% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 32.9 PassMark/$), 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 2019) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120UL vs Core i7-9700T 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 i7-9700T

The Core i7-9700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,618 points. Launch price was $323.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700T offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core 5 120UL has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core 5 120UL versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i7-9700T — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-9700T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Core i7-9700T's 10,618 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-9700T. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9700T
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+25%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+7%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 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	10,618

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120UL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-9700T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9700T
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

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120UL) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700T). The Core i7-9700T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core 5 120UL requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700T targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9700T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120UL was priced at $277, while the Core i7-9700T came in at $323. On launch pricing ($277 vs $323), Core 5 120UL was $46 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120UL delivers 38.1 pts/$ vs 32.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700T — making the Core 5 120UL the 14.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9700T
MSRP	$277-14%	$323
Performance per Dollar	38.1+16%	32.9
Release Date	2024	2019

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