Core 5 120UL vs Xeon E5-2470 v2

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 E5-2470 v2 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 E5-2470 v2: 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

✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1356 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,558 vs 10,701).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2470 v2, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $277 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2470 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2470 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅+108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1356, while Core 5 120UL moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 120UL better than Xeon E5-2470 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2470 v2 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2470 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).

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 $277 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2470 v2 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2013) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1356. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120UL vs Xeon E5-2470 v2 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 E5-2470 v2

The Xeon E5-2470 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,701 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, matching the Xeon E5-2470 v2's 10 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core 5 120UL versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2470 v2 — a 35.9% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-2470 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Xeon E5-2470 v2's 10,701 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2470 v2. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120UL vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2470 v2.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Xeon E5-2470 v2
Cores / Threads	10 / 12	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+44%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+85%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+108%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-PS (2024)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	10,558	10,701+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120UL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2470 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.