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Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 5 320: Comparison

What is the difference between Core 5 120U and Core 5 320?

The gap that matters here is l3 cache: Core 5 120U 12 MB against Core 5 320 6 MB, which puts Core 5 120U 50% ahead. Igpu is not the same on both, Intel Iris Xe Graphics on the Core 5 120U versus Intel Graphics on the Core 5 320.

Which should you buy, Core 5 120U or Core 5 320?

The Core 5 120U suits 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. Avoid it for heavy video rendering or code compiling, where H-series chips finish sooner. Buy the Core 5 320 for affordable student and home laptops and browsing, office work, video calls and streaming, though it is the wrong buy for video editing, code compiling or other heavy multi-core work and gaming beyond very light or older titles. 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, performance cores, tdp, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 1 further specification as well.

Do the Core 5 120U and Core 5 320 differ on total cores?

Yes. Total Cores reads 10 on the Core 5 120U versus 6 on the Core 5 320.

Is the Base Power the same on the Core 5 120U and Core 5 320?

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 5 320
    Laptop
  • Codename

    Intel Core 5 120U
    Raptor Lake
    Intel Core 5 320
    Wildcat Lake
  • Release Year

    Intel Core 5 120U
    2024
    Intel Core 5 320
    2026
  • TDP

    Intel Core 5 120U
    15 W
    Intel Core 5 320
    15 W
  • iGPU

    Intel Core 5 120U
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Intel Core 5 320
    Intel Graphics
  • Market Segment

    Intel Core 5 120U
    Laptop
    Intel Core 5 320
    Laptop
  • Socket

    Intel Core 5 120U
    BGA 1744
    Intel Core 5 320
    FCBGA1516
  • Process Node

    Intel Core 5 120U
    7 nm
    Intel Core 5 320
    18 nm
  • Total Cores

    Intel Core 5 120U
    10Best
    Intel Core 5 320
    6
  • Performance Cores

    Intel Core 5 120U
    2
    Intel Core 5 320
    2
  • Efficiency Cores

    Intel Core 5 120U
    8Best
    Intel Core 5 320
    4
  • Total Threads

    Intel Core 5 120U
    12Best
    Intel Core 5 320
    6
  • SMT Enabled

    Intel Core 5 120U
    Yes
    Intel Core 5 320
    No
  • P-Core Base Clock

    Intel Core 5 120U
    1.4 GHz
    Intel Core 5 320
    1.5 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    Intel Core 5 120U
    4.7 GHz
    Intel Core 5 320
    4.6 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    Intel Core 5 120U
    12 MBBest
    Intel Core 5 320
    6 MB-50%
  • Base Power

    Intel Core 5 120U
    15 W
    Intel Core 5 320
    15 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    Intel Core 5 120U
    55 W
    Intel Core 5 320
    35 W
  • Memory Type

    Intel Core 5 120U
    DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR5x, LPDDR4x
    Intel Core 5 320
    LPDDR5x up to 7467 MT/s, DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s
  • Integrated Graphics

    Intel Core 5 120U
    Yes
    Intel Core 5 320
    Yes

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Intel Core 5 120U if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

    Choose Intel Core 5 320 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.

    More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)