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Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 7 150U: Comparison
Core 5 120U vs Core 7 150U 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 7 150U 4.8 GHz. They differ on p-core base clock too, 1.4 GHz on the Core 5 120U versus 1.8 GHz on the Core 7 150U.
Which should you buy, Core 5 120U or Core 7 150U?
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 built 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 the wrong buy for heavy video rendering or code compiling, where H-series chips finish sooner. The Core 7 150U suits ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is not the pick for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. 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. Our rating of the Core 7 150U (7.7/10): the Intel Core 7 150U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and tdp are identical here. They match on 11 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the L3 Cache the same on the Core 5 120U and Core 7 150U?
It is. Both are listed at 12 MB, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Laptop
- Intel Core 7 150U
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Raptor Lake
- Intel Core 7 150U
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 2024
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 2024
TDP
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 15 W
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 15 W
iGPU
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core 7 150U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Laptop
- Intel Core 7 150U
- Laptop
Socket
- Intel Core 5 120U
- BGA 1744
- Intel Core 7 150U
- BGA 1744
Process Node
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 7 nm
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 10
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 10
Performance Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 2
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 2
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 8
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 12
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 12
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Yes
- Intel Core 7 150U
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 1.4 GHz
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 1.8 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 4.8 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 12 MB
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 12 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 15 W
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 15 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 55 W
- Intel Core 7 150U
- 55 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core 5 120U
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR5x, LPDDR4x
- Intel Core 7 150U
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR5x, LPDDR4x
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Yes
- Intel Core 7 150U
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 120U if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 12 MB).
Choose 150U 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.
Intel Core 7 150U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core 7 150U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.