CPU Comparison
Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core 5 120UL
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. A 12-core/16-thread Raptor Lake-PS processor in LGA1700 with an 80 EU Iris Xe iGPU, 45 W base power, Gen4 CPU PCIe, dual-channel DDR4/DDR5, and a 10-year embedded lifecycle—targeted at edge devices, kiosks, digital signage, and other long-life systems rather than consumer DIY gaming PCs.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
12 cores/16 threads handle office multitasking and light-to-moderate productivity well, though lower clocks and 95 W max power constrain sustained heavy workloads.
With 12 threads and 4.6 GHz boost, everyday office tasks feel snappy; heavy multi-core workloads are constrained by 15 W base power.
Gaming
Serviceable for esports or casual games at 1080p low-to-medium when paired with a discrete GPU; iGPU alone is insufficient for most modern AAA titles.
The 15 W PL1 and 80 EU iGPU limit high-refresh gaming; the chip is acceptable for casual or legacy titles at low-to-mid settings, but not a gaming solution.
Virtualization
E-cores help run multiple VMs, but the 45–95 W power envelope and memory ceiling (96 GB) limit large-scale virtualization compared to higher-tier desktop parts.
Can run a few lightweight VMs, but limited PCIe lanes and 15 W PL1 make it unsuitable for dense virtualization.
Efficiency
45 W base power and an E-core-heavy mix provide reasonable efficiency at idle and light loads; higher-power Raptor Lake SKUs will outrun it under sustained multi-thread load.
Excellent efficiency per watt at 15 W base and 12 W minimum assured; well-suited to always-on edge devices.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Intel DL Boost (VNNI) on CPU supports basic inference workloads.
- No discrete NPU; GPU does not have DL Boost according to ARK.
- Suitable for small edge models and vision pipelines, not large-scale training.
- DL Boost (VNNI) is present for CPU-based inference, and GNA 3.0 is integrated for low-power audio/sensor AI tasks.
- No dedicated NPU; heavy local AI workloads (LLM inference, large vision models) are better handled on GPUs or higher-end platforms.
- Suitable for lightweight classification and edge inference scenarios common in retail and industrial IoT.
Content Creation
Gaming
- iGPU with 80 EUs is adequate for legacy or light games, not modern AAA.
- CPU-side performance is comparable to entry 12th/13th Gen i5 parts; acceptable when paired with a midrange GPU for 1080p.
- Not marketed as a gaming SKU; best suited to embedded or light-use systems.
- 80 EU Iris Xe GPU with 1.25 GHz max dynamic frequency is sufficient for eSports at low settings or older titles.
- No PCIe 5.0 or wide x16 Gen4 lanes for high-end dGPUs; only 20 total lanes and 15 W PL1 limit gaming.
- Expect playable frame rates in lightweight titles; for serious gaming, a higher-TDP CPU and dedicated GPU are needed.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 12 cores (4P + 8E) and 16 threads for good multi-tasking in embedded settings.
- 80 EU Iris Xe iGPU with AV1 decode and Quick Sync; supports up to four displays.
- 10-year embedded lifecycle from Q2’24 simplifies long-term product planning.
- 45 W base and 35–95 W power envelope fits small enclosures and fanless designs.
- Dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support gives OEMs flexibility in BOM cost versus bandwidth.
- Intel vPro Essentials and robust security features (TXT, CET, TDT, VT-x/VT-d).
- LGA1700 uses familiar 600/700-series chipsets, reducing design risk for edge platforms.
Cons
- Not targeted at the DIY gaming market; limited retail availability as a boxed part.
- Multiplier locked and limited to 95 W max turbo; lower peak performance vs 125W+ desktop SKUs.
- No ECC memory support according to ARK.
- CPU iGPU lacks DL Boost; GPU AI acceleration is limited.
- PCIe allocation (CPU vs PCH lane count) is not explicitly detailed on ARK for this SKU.
- Naming and segmentation (Core Series 1, PS, Embedded) can cause confusion versus consumer Raptor Lake parts.
Pros
- 10 cores (2P+8E) with 12 threads in a low-power 15 W envelope.
- LGA1700 socket enables modular, serviceable embedded designs.
- 80 EU Iris Xe GPU with AV1 decode and multiple modern display outputs.
- Dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support up to 96 GB.
- Low 12 W minimum assured power supports fanless or small-cooler designs.
- Thunderbolt 4 support for flexible I/O in edge devices.
Cons
- Only 20 total PCIe lanes limit expansion and high-bandwidth configurations.
- 15 W PL1 constrains sustained multi-core performance vs desktop 65 W parts.
- Locked multiplier; not suitable for overclocking.
- No NPU, so AI offload is limited to CPU/GNA.
- Targeted at embedded/edge; poor value for gaming or enthusiast desktop builds.
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core 5 120HL
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Rival
Budget desktop
- Intel Core i5-12400TRival
Low-power desktop/embedded
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-13400TRival
Embedded/low-power desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Rival
Budget desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core 5 120Rival
Mainstream desktop (non-HL)
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Similar 6P/0E core count for purely consumer builds at lower cost, but fewer E-cores and no HL lifecycle guarantee.
- Intel Core 5 120 (non-HL)Alt
Near-identical desktop specs without the HL/PS embedded positioning; better for standard DIY builds if available.
Intel Core 5 120UL
- AMD Ryzen 5 7530URival
Embedded / Mobile-ish
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730URival
Embedded / Mobile-ish
- Intel Core Ultra 3 105ULRival
Next-gen Embedded
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core 5 130ULRival
Embedded (Higher clocks)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-12100Rival
Entry Desktop (non-embedded)
- Intel Core i3-12100 (LGA1700)Alt
Higher base power and more headroom for desktop/gaming use cases; lacks E-cores but offers better sustained throughput.
- Intel Core i5-12400 (LGA1700)Alt
Six P-cores with higher TDP provide better multi-core performance for general desktop workloads at a modest price premium.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (AM4)Alt
Strong integrated graphics and higher multi-core performance for small-form-factor desktops, though not embedded-focused.
Our Verdict on Each
The Core 5 120HL is not a typical gaming or overclocking chip. Its value lies in the 10-year embedded supply commitment, competent 12C/16T performance, 45 W base power envelope, and flexible I/O with Gen4 CPU PCIe and Gen3 chipset lanes. For OEMs building edge appliances or long-lifecycle desktops on LGA1700, it is a practical choice; for mainstream gamers or enthusiasts, standard Raptor Lake/K-series SKUs are more appropriate.
Best for: OEMs and system integrators building long-lifecycle edge appliances, kiosks, POS systems, or light-office desktops on LGA1700 that need 10-year supply stability and iGPU-accelerated media.
Read the full reviewA well-balanced embedded SKU for LGA1700 deployments that need more threads and better graphics than traditional embedded chips, with low 15 W base power and 55 W turbo. Not intended for gaming or heavy creator workloads; best in edge appliances, thin clients, and signage where efficiency and integrated graphics matter.
Best for: Building or refreshing embedded appliances, POS terminals, digital signage players, or thin clients that benefit from LGA1700 socketed convenience, 10 cores, and integrated graphics.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core 5 120HL or Intel Core 5 120UL?
For gaming, the Intel Core 5 120HL leads with a gaming performance score of 64/100 among Intel Core 5 120HL and Intel Core 5 120UL.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core 5 120UL has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core 5 120HL (45 W), Intel Core 5 120UL (15 W).
Do Intel Core 5 120HL and Intel Core 5 120UL use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core 5 120HL: FCLGA1700, Intel Core 5 120UL: FCLGA1700 (LGA1700)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core 5 120HL has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core 5 120HL (12 cores), Intel Core 5 120UL (10 cores).