Core 5 120
CPU·Entry

Core 5 120

Intel

PassMark

21,629

MSRP

$340

AVG Price

$340

31 July 2025 (less than a year ago)
65 Watt
Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)

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.

Overview

The Core 5 120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,629 points. Launch price was $211.

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.

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 5 120

#637
Core i3-10300
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $140.49
104%
#638
Core i9-10900F
MSRP: $464|Avg: $300
104%
#639
E1-1500
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
104%
#640
Core i3-7101TE
MSRP: $117|Avg: $60
104%
#641
Core i7-9700F
MSRP: $323|Avg: $200
103%
#642
Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
MSRP: $1499|Avg: $1419
103%
#643
Core i9-11900KB
MSRP: $539|Avg: $350
102%
#644
Core i5-9500F
MSRP: $187|Avg: $154
102%
#645
Athlon 64 3800+
MSRP: $354|Avg: $10
102%
#646
Core i7-10700F
MSRP: $310|Avg: $250
101%
#647
Core i7-7740X
MSRP: $339|Avg: $150
101%
#648
Core i7-10700T
MSRP: $355|Avg: $200
101%
#649
Celeron G5920
MSRP: $52|Avg: $40
101%
#650
Core i3-10105T
MSRP: $122|Avg: $122
101%
#651
Celeron G5900
MSRP: $50|Avg: $42
100%
#652
Core 5 120
MSRP: $340|Avg: $340
100%
#653
Celeron G1850
MSRP: $42|Avg: $30
100%
#654
Phenom X3 8600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
100%
#655
Core i7-6700K
MSRP: $350|Avg: $142
99%
#656
Core i7-12700T
MSRP: $339|Avg: $337
99%
#657
Core 3 100HL
MSRP: $306|Avg: $280
99%
#658
Pentium E2180
MSRP: $84|Avg: $15
98%
#659
Athlon II X2 250u
MSRP: $60|Avg: $15
98%
#660
Celeron G530T
MSRP: $50|Avg: $17
98%
#661
Core i7-4790T
MSRP: $303|Avg: $102
97%
#662
FX-8370
MSRP: $199|Avg: $100
97%
#663
Core i3-3250
MSRP: $138|Avg: $40
97%
#664
Core i9-11900F
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $358.87
97%
#665
Core i9-9900T
MSRP: $423|Avg: $215
97%
#666
Core i5-9500T
MSRP: $192|Avg: $132
96%
#667
Core i3-2105
MSRP: $138|Avg: $30
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Core 5 120 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low471 FPS
medium401 FPS
high338 FPS
ultra298 FPS
1440p
low409 FPS
medium355 FPS
high309 FPS
ultra264 FPS
4k
low274 FPS
medium243 FPS
high223 FPS
ultra191 FPS
Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra59 FPS
Destiny 2

Destiny 2

1080p
low293 FPS
medium251 FPS
high222 FPS
ultra194 FPS
1440p
low271 FPS
medium236 FPS
high207 FPS
ultra177 FPS
4k
low205 FPS
medium181 FPS
high147 FPS
ultra129 FPS
Elden Ring

Elden Ring

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2

1080p
low233 FPS
medium209 FPS
high185 FPS
ultra162 FPS
1440p
low225 FPS
medium200 FPS
high177 FPS
ultra159 FPS
4k
low178 FPS
medium158 FPS
high138 FPS
ultra119 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low541 FPS
medium541 FPS
high541 FPS
ultra496 FPS
1440p
low541 FPS
medium491 FPS
high445 FPS
ultra388 FPS
4k
low411 FPS
medium347 FPS
high303 FPS
ultra244 FPS
Naraka: Bladepoint

Naraka: Bladepoint

1080p
low230 FPS
medium192 FPS
high167 FPS
ultra146 FPS
1440p
low192 FPS
medium162 FPS
high141 FPS
ultra121 FPS
4k
low124 FPS
medium104 FPS
high91 FPS
ultra76 FPS
Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2

1080p
low441 FPS
medium380 FPS
high354 FPS
ultra248 FPS
1440p
low320 FPS
medium280 FPS
high254 FPS
ultra199 FPS
4k
low178 FPS
medium154 FPS
high142 FPS
ultra125 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low170 FPS
medium147 FPS
high118 FPS
ultra99 FPS
1440p
low145 FPS
medium123 FPS
high99 FPS
ultra83 FPS
4k
low79 FPS
medium72 FPS
high57 FPS
ultra44 FPS
Phasmophobia

Phasmophobia

1080p
low378 FPS
medium334 FPS
high322 FPS
ultra269 FPS
1440p
low360 FPS
medium324 FPS
high311 FPS
ultra260 FPS
4k
low226 FPS
medium217 FPS
high209 FPS
ultra168 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Core 5 120 specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Core 5 120 is a 6-core / 12-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture, manufactured on a 10 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 4.5 GHz from a base frequency of 2.5 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 18 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 1.25 MB (per core) of L2 cache and 80 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 21,629, placing it in the Mid-Range performance tier as a Current Gen generation product.

SpecificationCore 5 120
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units6C / 12T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost4.5 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency2.5 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designRaptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient10 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores18 MB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data1.25 MB (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache80 kB (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor163 mm2
64-bit SupportYes
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score21,629
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 5 120 fits into the LGA1700 socket and supports PCIe 5.0. It supports DDR4, DDR5 memory.

SpecificationCore 5 120
TypeDesktop or Laptop processordesktop
SocketMotherboard socket requiredLGA1700
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 5.0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR4, DDR5
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Core 5 120 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationCore 5 120
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload65 Watt
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $340, the Core 5 120 delivers 64 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #701 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationCore 5 120
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$340
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$340
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$211
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#701
Release DateLaunch date31 July 2025 (less than a year ago)
Release Year2025
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

Typedesktop
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$211
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date31 July 2025 (less than a year ago)
Architecture CodenameRaptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
Performance Ranking Position701

Technical Specifications

10 specs

Cores6
Threads12
Die Size163 mm2
L1 Cache80 kB (per core)
L2 Cache1.25 MB (per core)
L3 Cache18 MB (total)
Max Frequency4.5 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency2.5 GHz
Process Technology10 nm

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketLGA1700
PCIe GenerationPCIe 5.0
Power Consumption (TDP)65 Watt
Max Processors In Config1

Memory

1 spec

RAM TypesDDR4, DDR5

Our Recommendation for Core 5 120

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

Compare Core 5 120

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