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Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 5 220U: Comparison
Core 5 120U vs Core 5 220U p-core boost clock compared
They are built to different briefs, and p-core boost clock shows it, Core 5 120U 4.7 GHz against Core 5 220U 5.0 GHz.
Who each one is for
The Core 5 120U is the one to take for affordable everyday and business thin-and-light laptops and office work, browsing, video calls and streaming, though it is not the pick for gaming beyond older or light titles at low settings and AI features that need an NPU, since it has none. It also earns its place with buyers who want a quick, simple laptop without paying for AI features. It is not the one for heavy video rendering or code compiling, where H-series chips finish sooner. The Core 5 220U suits budget student and office laptops and browsing, documents, video calls and streaming, though it is the wrong buy for heavy video editing, rendering or large code builds and gaming beyond older or light titles at low settings. It is the wrong buy for copilot+ PC and on-device AI features, since it has no NPU. Our rating of the Core 5 120U (7.7/10): the Intel Core 5 120U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and p-core base clock included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 8 further specifications as well.
Do the Core 5 120U and Core 5 220U differ on socket?
Yes. Socket reads BGA 1744 on the Core 5 120U versus FCBGA1744 on the Core 5 220U.
Is the TDP the same on the Core 5 120U and Core 5 220U?
It is. Both are listed at 15 W, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Laptop
- Intel Core 5 220U
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Raptor Lake
- Intel Core 5 220U
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 2024
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 2025
TDP
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 15 W
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 15 W
iGPU
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core 5 220U
- Intel Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Laptop
- Intel Core 5 220U
- Laptop
Socket
- Intel Core 5 120U
- BGA 1744
- Intel Core 5 220U
- FCBGA1744
Process Node
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 7 nm
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 10
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 10
Performance Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 2
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 2
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 8
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 12
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 12
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Yes
- Intel Core 5 220U
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 1.4 GHz
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 1.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 5.0 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 12 MB
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 12 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 15 W
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 15 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 55 W
- Intel Core 5 220U
- 55 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core 5 120U
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR5x, LPDDR4x
- Intel Core 5 220U
- DDR5 up to 5200 MT/s, DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s, LPDDR5/x up to 6400 MT/s, LPDDR4x up to 4267 MT/s
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Yes
- Intel Core 5 220U
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 120U if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 12 MB).
Choose 220U if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core 5 120U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core 5 120U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.