Core 5 120UL vs Core i7-9750H

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 i7-9750H 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 i7-9750H: 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

✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,558 vs 10,611).
❌Launch MSRP is still $277 MSRP, while Core i7-9750H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-9750H

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core 5 120UL moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120UL better than Core i7-9750H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 5 120UL is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9750H pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9750H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 at an unclear MSRP at $277 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-9750H is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 BGA1440. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120UL vs Core i7-9750H 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 i7-9750H

The Core i7-9750H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,611 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9750H 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 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9750H — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-9750H uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Core i7-9750H's 10,611 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-9750H. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9750H
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+100%
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-HR (2019)
PassMark	10,558	10,611

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120UL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-9750H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.