5 120U vs i7-2600K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-2600K
2011
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
3.46
Core 5 120U
2024
10 cores / 12 threads, 15 Watt
10.44
+202%

Core 5 120U outperforms Core i7-2600K by a whopping 202% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1541741
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.40no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)Raptor Lake-U
Power efficiency3.4565.87
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Raptor Lake-U Refresh (2024)
Release date9 January 2011 (13 years ago)8 January 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$317no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads812
Base clock speed3.4 GHz1.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz5 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s55 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size216 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature73 °C100 °C
Number of transistors1,160 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketLGA1155FCBGA1744
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology+no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection+-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267
Maximum memory size32 GB96 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 3000Intel® Graphics
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.35 GHz1.25 GHz
Execution Unitsno data80
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported24

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096 x 2304 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U.

PCIe version2.04.0
PCI Express lanes168

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-2600K 3.46
5 120U 10.44
+202%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-2600K 5492
5 120U 16587
+202%

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

i7-2600K 614
5 120U 1432
+133%

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

i7-2600K 129
5 120U 257
+99.2%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.46 10.44
Recency 9 January 2011 8 January 2024
Physical cores 4 10
Threads 8 12
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 15 Watt

5 120U has a 201.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 12 years, 150% more physical cores and 50% more threads, and 533.3% lower power consumption.

The Core 5 120U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-2600K in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-2600K is a desktop processor while Core 5 120U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2600K and Core 5 120U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-2600K
Core i7-2600K
Intel Core 5 120U
Core 5 120U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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