CPU
GPU
Core i5-9600KF
Core 5 120UL
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 i5-9600KF
Performance Per Dollar Core 5 120UL
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-9600KF | Core 5 120UL |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($150) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake-PS (2024) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-9600KF | Core 5 120UL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+82%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($150) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($270) |
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 i5-9600KF and Core 5 120UL
Core i5-9600KF
The Core i5-9600KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,646 points. Launch price was $262.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i5-9600KF packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core 5 120UL offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core 5 120UL has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600KF versus 4.6 GHz on the Core 5 120UL — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-9600KF uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 5 120UL uses Raptor Lake-PS (2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600KF scores 10,646 against the Core 5 120UL's 10,558 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-9600KF. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600KF vs 12 MB (total) on the Core 5 120UL.
| Feature | Core i5-9600KF | Core 5 120UL |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6 | 10 / 12+67% |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz | 4.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+185% | 1.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total) | 12 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 14 nm | 10 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Raptor Lake-PS (2024) |
| PassMark | 10,646 | 10,558 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 7,301 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,600 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 6,200 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-9600KF uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 5 120UL uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-9600KF | Core 5 120UL |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9600KF) / not specified (Core 5 120UL). Primary use case: Core i5-9600KF targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-9600KF | Core 5 120UL |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-9600KF launched at $262 MSRP, while the Core 5 120UL debuted at $277. At current prices ($150 vs $270), the Core i5-9600KF is $120 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600KF delivers 71.0 pts/$ vs 39.1 pts/$ for the Core 5 120UL — making the Core i5-9600KF the 57.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-9600KF | Core 5 120UL |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $262-5% | $277 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150-44% | $270 |
| Performance per Dollar | 71.0+82% | 39.1 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2024 |
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