Core 5 120UL vs Xeon E5-4620 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 E5-4620 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 E5-4620 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: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 105W, a 90W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4620 v3, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $277 MSRP, while Xeon E5-4620 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-4620 v3

2015

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 120UL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,525 vs 10,558).
❌600% higher power demand at 105W 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 E5-4620 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4620 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 3.1% 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 0.3% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $277 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2015), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 120UL vs Xeon E5-4620 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 E5-4620 v3

The Xeon E5-4620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,525 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 5 120UL packs 10 cores / 12 threads, matching the Xeon E5-4620 v3's 10 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core 5 120UL versus 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4620 v3 — a 55.6% clock advantage for the Core 5 120UL (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS (2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5-4620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 120UL scores 10,558 against the Xeon E5-4620 v3's 10,525 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 5 120UL. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120UL vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4620 v3.

Feature	Core 5 120UL	Xeon E5-4620 v3
Cores / Threads	10 / 12	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+77%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+108%
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	10,525

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120UL uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-4620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.