Core 5 120UL vs Core i7-9750HF

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 i7-9750HF 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 i7-9750HF: 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

✅Costs $118 less on MSRP ($277 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
✅Delivers 44.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.1 vs 26.3 PassMark/$ ($277 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i7-9750HF

2019

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,393 vs 10,558).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.3 vs 38.1 PassMark/$ ($395 MSRP vs $277 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.
❌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 i7-9750HF?

Yes. Core 5 120UL is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% 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 0.0% 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 1.6% 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 the better buy right now. Core 5 120UL comes in $118 cheaper on MSRP at $277 MSRP versus $395 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 44.9% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 26.3 PassMark/$), 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), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

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

The Core i7-9750HF 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: DDR4-2666, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,393 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9750HF 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 i7-9750HF — 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 i7-9750HF uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Core i7-9750HF's 10,393 — a 1.6% lead for the Core 5 120UL. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9750HF
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+2%	10,393
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,915
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,120
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,149

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Memory & Platform

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

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9750HF
Socket	LGA1700	BGA1440
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) / Yes (Core i7-9750HF).

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9750HF
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120UL was priced at $277, while the Core i7-9750HF came in at $395. On launch pricing ($277 vs $395), Core 5 120UL was $118 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120UL delivers 38.1 pts/$ vs 26.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-9750HF — making the Core 5 120UL the 36.6% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Core i7-9750HF
MSRP	$277-30%	$395
Performance per Dollar	38.1+45%	26.3
Release Date	2024	2019

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