Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 3 100U

Comparative analysis of Intel Core 5 120U and Intel Core 3 100U processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark.

Intel Core 5 120U

Intel Core 3 100U

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 5 120U

4 more cores, run more applications at once: 10 vs 6
4 more threads: 12 vs 8
Around 6% higher clock speed: 5 GHz vs 4.7 GHz
Around 67% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 67% more L2 cache; more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 20% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 11% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 16633 vs 14987

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	10 vs 6
Number of threads	12 vs 8
Maximum frequency	5 GHz vs 4.7 GHz
L1 cache	80 KB (per core) vs 80 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1.25 MB (per core) vs 1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	12 MB (shared) vs 10 MB (shared)
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	16633 vs 14987

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 3 100U

Around 1% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 3815 vs 3770

Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	3815 vs 3770

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core 5 120U
CPU 2: Intel Core 3 100U

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

3770

3815

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

16633

14987

Name	Intel Core 5 120U	Intel Core 3 100U
PassMark - Single thread mark	3770	3815
PassMark - CPU mark	16633	14987

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core 5 120U	Intel Core 3 100U
Essentials
Launch date	8 Jan 2024	8 Jan 2024
Place in performance rating	317	320
Launch price (MSRP)		$426
Performance
Base frequency	1400 MHz	1200 MHz
L1 cache	80 KB (per core)	80 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	12 MB (shared)	10 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	10 nm	10 nm
Maximum core temperature	100°C	100°C
Maximum frequency	5 GHz	4.7 GHz
Number of cores	10	6
Number of threads	12	8
Unlocked
Memory
ECC memory support
Supported memory types	DDR4, DDR5	DDR4, DDR5
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	Intel BGA 1744	Intel BGA 1744
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	15 Watt	15 Watt
Peripherals
PCIe configurations	Gen 4, 8 Lanes, (CPU only)	Gen 4, 8 Lanes, (CPU only)