Core 5 120UL vs Xeon E5-1650 v3

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 Xeon E5-1650 v3 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 Xeon E5-1650 v3: 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: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $306 less on MSRP ($277 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 113.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.1 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($277 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1650 v3, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1650 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120UL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,387 vs 10,558).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.8 vs 38.1 PassMark/$ ($583 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 Xeon E5-1650 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1650 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core 5 120UL is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 5 120UL is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.8% 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 $306 cheaper on MSRP at $277 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 113.9% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 17.8 PassMark/$), 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 2014), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 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 Xeon E5-1650 v3 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.

Xeon E5-1650 v3

The Xeon E5-1650 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,387 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 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 Xeon E5-1650 v3 — a 19% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Xeon E5-1650 v3's 10,387 — a 1.6% lead for the Core 5 120UL. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120UL vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1650 v3.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Xeon E5-1650 v3
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+21%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+169%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-PS (2024)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	10,558+2%	10,387

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120UL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Xeon E5-1650 v3
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 5 120UL was priced at $277, while the Xeon E5-1650 v3 came in at $583. On launch pricing ($277 vs $583), Core 5 120UL was $306 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 5 120UL delivers 38.1 pts/$ vs 17.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1650 v3 — making the Core 5 120UL the 72.6% better value option.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Xeon E5-1650 v3
MSRP	$277-52%	$583
Performance per Dollar	38.1+114%	17.8
Release Date	2024	2014

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