Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
59.8Single-core72.8
36.2Multi-core73.8
75.3Efficiencyspec-based44.4
50.3Platformspec-based69.6
1 spec wins — Intel Core 5 120U16 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins this laptop processor face-off, 67.9 to 51.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+38) and single-core (+13). 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 5 120U
- 73% lower Base TDP: 15 W vs 55 W
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
- Stronger single-core score: 73 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 74 vs 36
- 377% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 31,781 vs 6,659
- 300% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 2
- 222% higher PassMark: 47,933 vs 14,877
General
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2025 |
| Process | 10 nm | 3 nm+70% |
| Base TDP | 15 W+73% | 55 W |
| Max TDP | 55 W | 160 W+191% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10 | 20+100% |
| Performance cores | 2 | 8+300% |
| Efficiency cores | 8 | 12+50% |
| Threads | 12 | 20+67% |
| Base clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz+71% |
| Boost clock | 5 GHz | 5.2 GHz+4% |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 30 MB+150% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) |
| iGPU clock | 1,300 MHz | 1,850 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-5200 / DDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4X-4267 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 256 GB+167% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,469Bottom 45% | 2,959+20%Top 17% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 9,070Bottom 34% | 17,915+98%Top 12% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,757Top 48% | 2,154+23%Top 10% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 6,659Bottom 18% | 31,781+377%Top 6% |
| PassMark | 14,877Bottom 29% | 47,933+222%Top 8% |
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