Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core 5 120U
79Single-core59.8
86.8Multi-core36.2
44.4Efficiencyspec-based75.3
60.5iGPU—
73.9Platformspec-based50.3
16 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus1 spec wins — Intel Core 5 120U
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 51.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+51) and single-core (+19). Intel Core 5 120U still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 36
- 495% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 6,659
- 300% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 2
- 294% higher PassMark: 58,672 vs 14,877
Reasons to pick the Intel Core 5 120U
- 73% lower Base TDP: 15 W vs 55 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2024 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 15 W+73% |
| Max TDP | 160 W+191% | 55 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+140% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+100% | 8 |
| Threads | 24+100% | 12 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+93% | 1.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+10% | 5 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+200% | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 1,300 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-5200 / DDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4X-4267 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+167% | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core 5 120U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198+30%Top 11% | 2,469Bottom 50% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+138%Top 9% | 9,070Bottom 33% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+33%Top 3% | 1,757Top 45% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+495%Top 2% | 6,659Bottom 19% |
| PassMark | 58,672+294%Top 1% | 14,877Bottom 30% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 36% | — |
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