Core 5 120UL vs Ryzen 5 3600
Core 5 120UL
Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 5 120UL
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 5 120UL | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-PS (2024) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 5 120UL | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+465%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 5 120UL and Ryzen 5 3600
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.
Ryzen 5 3600
The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 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 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 50.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120UL vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core 5 120UL | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 12+67% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+10% | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+177% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 32 MB (total)+167% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+150% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-30% |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake-PS (2024) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 10,558 | 17,685+68% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 5 120UL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 5 120UL | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 120UL) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Core 5 120UL | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | Yes |
| Target Use | — | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core 5 120UL launched at $277 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($270 vs $80), the Ryzen 5 3600 is $190 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120UL delivers 39.1 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 139.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core 5 120UL | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $277 | $199-28% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $270 | $80-70% |
| Performance per Dollar | 39.1 | 221.1+465% |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2019 |
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