Core 5 120

Name: Intel Core 5 120
Brand: Intel
Rating: 4.1 (9 reviews)

6 cores · 12 threads · up to 4.5 GHz on 1700.

4.1 · 9 votes

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Cores

Threads

Boost

4.5 GHz

L3 cache

18 MB

TDP

65W

Socket

1700

Performance breakdown

Gaming11

Productivity10

Single-core11

Multi-core25

Power efficiency9

Lab scores

Performance score11

Cores6

Threads12

Boost clock (GHz)4.5 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p24 fps

1440p19 fps

4K13 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores

Architecture: Raptor Lake-R
Process node: 10 nm
Socket: 1700
Release year: 2025
Total cores: 6
Threads: 12
Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 730

Clocks & cache

Base clock: 2.5 GHz
Boost clock: 4.5 GHz
L1 cache: 480 KB
L2 cache: 7.5 MB
L3 cache: 18 MB

Memory & platform

Memory support: DDR4
Base power (TDP): 65W
PCIe: PCIe 5.0
Launch price: $211

Technologies

Extensions: AES-NI, AVX, VT-x, VT-d, TXT

Community Feedback

What Owners Say

People like the solid everyday performance and low power draw. The usual gripe is that it's just a rebadged older chip with nothing new to offer.

Pros

Great for everyday multitasking without stutter
Sips power, keeps your electric bill low
Plays older games smoothly without a fuss
Easy drop-in upgrade for existing LGA1700 boards

Cons

No native USB4 support
No significant generational improvement
Requires new motherboard for upgrade

Verdict

Our verdict on the Core 5 120

This is Intel's latest budget-friendly desktop chip, a Raptor Lake refresh that fits an older socket but offers surprisingly strong single-threaded performance.

Get it if you need a no-fuss upgrade for an existing LGA1700 board that runs cool and quiet. Skip it if you want the latest performance or plan to build a new PC from scratch.