Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core 5 120U
Intel Core 3 100U
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The Intel Core 3 100U is an entry-level notebook CPU based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh series (Alder Lake architecture), which was introduced in January 2024. The CPU offers 2 performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 4 of the 8 efficiency cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support hyperthreading (therefore 8 threads together) and clock from 1.2 to 4.7 GHz. The E-cores clock from 0.9 - 3.3 GHz and should offer comparable performance to old Skylake cores (e.g. i7-6300HQ). The Core 3 does not offer vPro features for management.
Performance
The performance should be slightly above the old Core i3-1315U (-200 MHz P-Core Boost).
Graphics unit
Like its predecessor, Intel integrates an Intel Xe-based graphics unit called Intel Graphics in Alder Lake / Raptor Lake. In the 1315U, 64 of the 96 EUs are probably activated.
Features
Like Tiger Lake, Raptor Lake also has WiFi 6E and Thunderbolt 4 (4x) partially integrated. The integrated memory controller supports DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-5200 and LPDDR4x-4267. The integrated Gaussian and Neural Accelerator (GNA) is now installed in version 3.0. The Quick Sync 8 media engine is the same as in Rocket Lake and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC and AV1 decode. The chip only supports PCIe 4.0 (x8 for GPU and two x4 for SSDs).
Power consumption
The Intel Core 3-100U is specified with 15 watts (PL1) TDP and 55 watts (PL2) max. turbo power. The processor is manufactured using the further improved Intel 7 process (10 nm SuperFin).
Intel Core 5 120U
► remove from comparisonThe Intel Core 5 120U is a mid-range notebook CPU based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh (RPL-U) series (Alder Lake architecture), which was introduced in January 2024. The CPU offers 2 performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 8 efficiency cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support hyperthreading (therefore 12 threads together) and clock from 1.4 to 5 GHz. The E-cores clock from 0.9 - 3.8 GHz and should offer comparable performance to old Skylake cores (e.g. i7-6300HQ). The C5 120U also supports vPro Essentials management features.
Performance
Due to the high clock rates, the performance is comparable to the old Core i7-1355U. As usual with Alder Lake, the performance is heavily dependent on the cooling and the TDP settings.
Graphics unit
Like its predecessor, Intel integrates an Intel Xe-based graphics unit in Alder Lake. 80 of the 96 EUs are activated on the 120U.
Features
Like Tiger Lake, Alder-Lake-P also has WiFi 6E and Thunderbolt 4 (4x) partially integrated. The integrated memory controller supports LPDDR5-6400 and the integrated Gaussian and Neural Accelerator (GNA) is installed in version 3.0. The Quick Sync 8 media engine is the same as in Rocket Lake and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC and AV1 decode. The chip still only supports PCIe 4.0 (x8 for GPU and two x4 for SSDs).
Power consumption
The Intel Core 5 120U is specified with 15 watts (PL1) TDP and 55 watts (PL2) max. turbo power. The processor is manufactured using the further improved Intel 7 process (10 nm SuperFin).
| Model | Intel Core 3 100U | Intel Core 5 120U | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Codename | Raptor Lake-U Refresh | Raptor Lake-U Refresh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series | Intel Raptor Lake-U | Intel Raptor Lake-U | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series: Raptor Lake-U Raptor Lake-U Refresh |
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| Clock | 900 - 4700 MHz | 900 - 5000 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L1 Cache | 544 KB | 928 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L2 Cache | 5 MB | 9.5 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L3 Cache | 10 MB | 12 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 8 2 x 4.7 GHz Intel Golden Cove P-Core 4 x 3.3 GHz Intel Gracemont E-Core | 10 / 12 2 x 5.0 GHz Intel Golden Cove P-Core 8 x 3.8 GHz Intel Gracemont E-Core | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TDP | 15 Watt | 15 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TDP Turbo PL2 | 55 Watt | 55 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | 10 nm | 10 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| max. Temp. | 100 °C | 100 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Socket | BGA1700 | BGA1700 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features | Thread Director | Thread Director | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 64EUs (Alder Lake 12th Gen) ( - 1250 MHz) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs ( - 1250 MHz) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Architecture | x86 | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Announced | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com |
Benchmarks
Average Benchmarks Intel Core 3 100U → 100% n=4
Average Benchmarks Intel Core 5 120U → 126% n=4
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation
