Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i9-12900HK
59.8Single-core57.7
36.2Multi-core46.7
75.3Efficiencyspec-based40.5
50.4iGPU56.6
50.3Platformspec-based59
4 spec wins — Intel Core 5 120U12 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900HK
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Intel Core 5 120U scores 51.5 against 51.4 for Intel Core i9-12900HK. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core 5 120U edges ahead in single-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core 5 120U
- 67% lower Base TDP: 15 W vs 45 W
- 50% higher Max memory: 96 GB vs 64 GB
- 15% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,469 vs 2,148
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900HK
- Stronger multi-core score: 47 vs 36
- Stronger iGPU score: 57 vs 50
- 200% higher Performance cores: 6 vs 2
- 148% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,530 vs 6,659
- 109% higher Max TDP: 115 W vs 55 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2022 |
| Process | 10 nm | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 15 W+67% | 45 W |
| Max TDP | 55 W | 115 W+109% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10 | 14+40% |
| Performance cores | 2 | 6+200% |
| Efficiency cores | 8 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 20+67% |
| Base clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.5 GHz+79% |
| Boost clock | 5 GHz | 5 GHz |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 24 MB+100% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) | Intel Iris Xe (96 EU) |
| iGPU clock | 1,300 MHz | 1,450 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-5200 / DDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4X-4267 | DDR5-4800 / LPDDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 96 GB+50% | 64 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core i9-12900HK |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,469+15%Bottom 36% | 2,148Bottom 16% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 9,070Bottom 27% | 9,888+9%Bottom 33% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,757Bottom 45% | 1,855+6%Top 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 6,659Bottom 12% | 16,530+148%Top 34% |
| PassMark | 14,877Bottom 20% | 24,954+68%Top 41% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 3,461Bottom 34% | 3,514+2%Bottom 38% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,181Bottom 28% | 1,561+32%Top 50% |
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