Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
59.8Single-core76.8
36.2Multi-core83.4
75.3Efficiencyspec-based44.4
—iGPU60.5
50.3Platformspec-based73.9
1 spec wins — Intel Core 5 120U16 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX wins this laptop processor face-off, 72.2 to 51.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+47) and single-core (+17). 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 9 285HX
- Stronger single-core score: 77 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 83 vs 36
- 463% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 37,500 vs 6,659
- 300% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 2
- 280% higher PassMark: 56,512 vs 14,877
General
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9 285HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10 | 24+140% |
| Performance cores | 2 | 8+300% |
| Efficiency cores | 8 | 16+100% |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.8 GHz+100% |
| Boost clock | 5 GHz | 5.5 GHz+10% |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 36 MB+200% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) |
| iGPU clock | 1,300 MHz | 2,000 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9 285HX |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,469Bottom 50% | 3,150+28%Top 12% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 9,070Bottom 33% | 20,500+126%Top 12% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,757Top 45% | 2,250+28%Top 4% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 6,659Bottom 19% | 37,500+463%Top 3% |
| PassMark | 14,877Bottom 30% | 56,512+280%Top 4% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,855Top 36% |
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