Core i5-520UM vs Core i3-4120U

Core i5-520UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.87 GHz2010

Core i3-4120U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-520UM

2 / 4

1,943

0.0%

1,948

+0.3%

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. The Core i5-520UM is positioned at rank 130 and the Core i3-4120U is on rank 129, so the Core i3-4120U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-520UM

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

95%

#118

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

302%

#119

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

298%

#120

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

273%

#121

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

272%

#122

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

269%

#124

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

260%

#125

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

250%

#126

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

249%

#127

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

242%

#130

Core i5-520UM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#137

N200

MSRP: $193|Avg: N/A

97%

#138

Core 2 Duo SP9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

97%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4120U

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

95%

#117

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

301%

#118

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

297%

#119

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

272%

#120

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

271%

#121

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

269%

#123

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

260%

#124

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

249%

#125

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

248%

#126

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

242%

#129

Core i3-4120U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#137

N200

MSRP: $193|Avg: N/A

97%

#138

Core 2 Duo SP9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

97%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-4120U delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-520UM in both compute-intensive tasks (0.3% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-520UM	Core i3-4120U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-520UM	Core i3-4120U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-520UM Benchmark Check

Core i3-4120U Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-520UM and Core i3-4120U

Core i5-520UM

The Core i5-520UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.07 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,943 points. Launch price was $241.

Core i3-4120U

The Core i3-4120U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,948 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-520UM and Core i3-4120U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Core i5-520UM versus 2 GHz on the Core i3-4120U — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-4120U (base: 1.07 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-520UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4120U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-520UM scores 1,943 against the Core i3-4120U's 1,948 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-4120U. Both processors carry 3 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-520UM	Core i3-4120U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.87 GHz	2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.07 GHz	2 GHz+87%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,943	1,948
Geekbench 6 Single	—	462
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,071

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-520UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4120U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 800 on the Core i5-520UM versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4120U — the Core i5-520UM supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4120U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-520UM) vs 12 (Core i3-4120U) — the Core i5-520UM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-520UM) and HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4120U).

Feature	Core i5-520UM	Core i3-4120U
Socket	BGA1288	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	800+26567%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8	16 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i5-520UM) vs Yes (Core i3-4120U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-520UM) and Intel HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4120U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-520UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.