Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
59.8Single-core74.6
36.2Multi-core61.3
75.3Efficiencyspec-based81.4
—iGPU88.3
50.3Platformspec-based56.4
1 spec wins — Intel Core 5 120U15 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra X9 388H wins this laptop processor face-off, 69.6 to 51.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+25) and single-core (+15). 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
- 40% lower Base TDP: 15 W vs 25 W
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Stronger single-core score: 75 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 61 vs 36
- 184% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 18,911 vs 6,659
- 145% higher PassMark: 36,409 vs 14,877
- 100% higher Performance cores: 4 vs 2
General
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2026 |
| Process | 10 nm | 2 nm+80% |
| Base TDP | 15 W+40% | 25 W |
| Max TDP | 55 W | 80 W+45% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 10 | 16+60% |
| Performance cores | 2 | 4+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 8 | 12+50% |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Base clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.1 GHz+50% |
| Boost clock | 5 GHz | 5.1 GHz+2% |
| L3 cache | 12 MB | 18 MB+50% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) | Intel Arc B390 |
| iGPU clock | 1,300 MHz | 2,500 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-5200 / DDR5-5200 / DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4X-4267 | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,469Bottom 50% | 3,038+23%Top 19% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 9,070Bottom 33% | 17,395+92%Top 16% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,757Top 45% | 2,201+25%Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 6,659Bottom 19% | 18,911+184%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 14,877Bottom 30% | 36,409+145%Top 16% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 6,501Top 3% |
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