LaptopDecision
  • EN EN
  • ES ES
  • DE DE
  • FR FR
  • JA JA
  • LAPTOPS
    • All Laptops
    • Gaming Laptops
    • Convertible 2-in-1 Laptops
    • Ultralight Laptops
    • Thin&Light Laptops
    • Workstation Laptops
    • Touch Screen Laptops
    • Dual Screen Laptops
    • OLED Screen Laptops
    • Wi-Fi 7 Laptops
    • Laptops by Brand
      • Acer Laptops
      • Apple Laptops
      • ASUS Laptops
      • Dell Laptops
      • Gigabyte Laptops
      • Honor Laptops
      • HP Laptops
      • Huawei Laptops
      • Lenovo Laptops
  • SMART FIND
  • BLOG

Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 3 100U Comparison

x
CPU to replace
Change

Intel Core 5 120U

10 Cores | January 2024

Intel Core 5 120U
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Change

Intel Core 3 100U

6 Cores 6 Cores | January 2024

Intel Core 3 100U
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 3 100U Comparison Overview
Intel Core 5 120U Intel Core 5 120U
See at AMAZON
Intel Core 3 100U Intel Core 3 100U
See at AMAZON
Intel Core 5 120U
See at AMAZON
Intel Core 3 100U
See at AMAZON

In this review, we will be comparing Core 5 120U and Core 3 100U, two CPUs by Intel. Intel Core 5 120U was introduced to market in January 2024 and Intel Core 3 100U was launched in January 2024. Both Core 5 120U and Core 3 100U were launched within the same month so we are expecting this to be a fair comparison regarding age and available technology level.

Core 5 120U and Core 3 100U are members of Intel's Core series of CPUs. Below you can find the latest models from this series.

Intel Core Series History
Model Release Date Fabrication Process Cores / Threads
Intel Core 3 100U
January 2024 10nm 6 / 8
Intel Core 7 150U
  
January 2024 10nm 10 / 12
Intel Core 5 120U
January 2024 10nm 10 / 12

Here is a brief look at the main features of Intel Core 5 120U and Intel Core 3 100U before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Intel Core 5 120U Key Specs

  • Launched in January 2024
  • Laptop Type CPU
  • Cores / Threads: 10 / 12
  • Fabrication Process: 10 nm
  • Max RAM Support: 96 GB

Intel Core 3 100U Key Specs

  • Launched in January 2024
  • Laptop Type CPU
  • Cores / Threads: 6 / 8
  • Fabrication Process: 10 nm
  • Max RAM Support: 96 GB

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Core 5 120U and Core 3 100U compares and decide which one is better for you.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Intel Core 5 120U over Intel Core 3 100U
Cores
10 vs 6 More Cores, Good Multitasking
Threads
12 vs 8 More Threads, Good Multitasking
Reasons to choose Intel Core 3 100U over Intel Core 5 120U
Technically, no significant reason to choose Intel Core 3 100U. You may consider its price.

Common Strengths of Intel Core 3 100U and Intel Core 5 120U
Integrated GPU
Yes vs Yes Has Integrated GPU
Common Weaknesses of Intel Core 3 100U and Intel Core 5 120U
Launch Dates
January 2024 vs January 2024 CPUs are older than 1 year
Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 3 100U: Specs Comparison Table

In this section, we will be comparing the specifications the Intel Core 5 120U and the Intel Core 3 100U.

Processor
Brand Intel Intel
Model Core 5 120U Core 3 100U
Release Date 2024-01-09 2024-01-09
Type Laptop Laptop
Integrated GPU Iris Xe Graphics (80EU) Iris Xe Graphics (64EU)
Instruction Set x86-64 x86-64
Code Name Raptor Lake Refresh Raptor Lake Refresh
Memory
Supported Memory Type DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-6400, LPDDR5x-6400, LPDDR4x-4267 DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-6400, LPDDR5x-6400, LPDDR4x-4267
L1 Cache 80K (per core) 80K (per core)
L2 Cache 1280K (per core) 1280K (per core)
L3 Cache 12MB (shared) 10MB (shared)
ECC Support No No
Memory Channels 2 2
Cores & Clock Speeds
Cores / Threads 10 / 12 6 / 8
Perf. Cores / Threads 2 / 4 2 / 4
Eff. Cores / Threads 8 / 8 4 / 4
Multiplier 14x 12x
Unlocked Multiplier No No
Connections and Others
Peak Temperature 100 °C 100 °C
Socket BGA-1744 BGA-1744
PCI Express Version 4.0 4.0
PCI Express Lanes 20 20
Integrated GPU Specs
IGP Name Iris Xe Graphics (80EU) Iris Xe Graphics (64EU)
GPU Base Clock 300 300
GPU Boost Clock 1250 1250
TGP 15 W 15 W
FLOPS 1.41 TFLOPS 1.21 TFLOPS
ShadingUnitsCores 640 512
TMUs 40 32
ROPs 20 16
Execution_units 80 64
Laptops by Brand
  • Acer Laptops
  • Apple Laptops
  • ASUS Laptops
  • Dell Laptops
  • Gigabyte Laptops
  • Honor Laptops
  • HP Laptops
  • Huawei Laptops
  • Lenovo Laptops
  • LG Laptops
  • Microsoft Laptops
  • MSI Laptops
  • Razer Laptops
  • Samsung Laptops

  • Latest Windows Laptops
    Asus Vivobook 18 (M1807)
    Asus Vivobook 18 M1807
    March 2025 | 18.4 inches
    Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (2025)
    Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI 2025
    February 2025 | 16.0 inches
    Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 8
    Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 8
    February 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI (2025)
    Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI 2025
    February 2025 | 18.0 inches
    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10
    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10
    February 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52)
    Acer Aspire 14 AI A14-52
    February 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro (16
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro 16
    February 2025 | 16.0 inches
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro (14
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro 14
    February 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Latest Apple Laptops
    Apple MacBook Air 15 M4 (2025)
    Apple MacBook Air 15 M4 2025
    March 2025 | 15.3 inches
    Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 (2025)
    Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 2025
    March 2025 | 13.6 inches
    Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4, 2024)
    Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4, 2024
    October 2024 | 16.2 inches
    Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024)
    Apple MacBook Pro 14 M4, 2024
    October 2024 | 14.2 inches
    Apple MacBook Air 13 M3 (2024)
    Apple MacBook Air 13 M3 2024
    March 2024 | 13.6 inches
    Apple MacBook Air 15 M3 (2024)
    Apple MacBook Air 15 M3 2024
    March 2024 | 15.3 inches
    Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3, 2023)
    Apple MacBook Pro 16 M3, 2023
    October 2023 | 16.2 inches
    Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2024)
    Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3, 2024
    October 2023 | 14.2 inches
    Latest Gaming Laptops
    Razer Blade 16 (2025)
    Razer Blade 16 2025
    January 2025 | 16.0 inches
    Asus ROG Strix G18 (2025) G815
    Asus ROG Strix G18 2025 G815
    January 2025 | 18.0 inches
    Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-52)
    Acer Nitro V 15 ANV15-52
    January 2025 | 15.6 inches
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) GA403
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2025 GA403
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) GU605
    Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2025 GU605
    January 2025 | 16.0 inches
    Latest Convertible Laptops
    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10
    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10
    February 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Lenovo Yoga Book 9i 14
    Lenovo Yoga Book 9i 14 Gen 10, 2025
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 360 (15.6
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 360 15.6
    January 2025 | 15.6 inches
    Lenovo Yoga 9i 14
    Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Aura Edition Gen 10
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2025) GZ302
    Asus ROG Flow Z13 2025 GZ302
    January 2025 | 13.4 inches
    Latest Workstation Laptops
    Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Gen 1 Aura Edition (15
    Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Gen 1 Aura Edition 15
    January 2025 | 15.3 inches
    Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Gen 1 Aura Edition (14
    Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Gen 1 Aura Edition 14
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a
    HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Dell Pro 13
    Dell Pro 13
    January 2025 | 13.3 inches
    Dell Pro 14
    Dell Pro 14
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    Latest Ultralight Laptops
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro (14
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro 14
    February 2025 | 14.0 inches
    1.23 kg (2.71 lbs) | 11.6 mm
    Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Gen 1 Aura Edition (14
    Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Gen 1 Aura Edition 14
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    1.21 kg (2.67 lbs) | 13.0 mm
    HP EliteBook Ultra 14 G1i
    HP EliteBook Ultra 14 G1i
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    1.19 kg (2.62 lbs) | 12.1 mm
    Asus Zenbook A14 (UX3407)
    Asus Zenbook A14 UX3407
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    0.9 kg (1.98 lbs) | 15.9 mm
    Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14
    Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10
    January 2025 | 14.0 inches
    1.23 kg (2.71 lbs) | 14.6 mm
    Latest Thin&Light Laptops
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro (16
    Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro 16
    February 2025 | 16.0 inches
    1.56 kg (3.44 lbs) | 12.5 mm
    Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Gen 1 Aura Edition (15
    Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Gen 1 Aura Edition 15
    January 2025 | 15.3 inches
    1.4 kg (3.09 lbs) | 12.9 mm
    Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024)
    Apple MacBook Pro 14 M4, 2024
    October 2024 | 14.2 inches
    1.55 kg (3.42 lbs) | 15.5 mm
    Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition 15
    Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition 15 Intel
    September 2024 | 15.3 inches
    1.46 kg (3.22 lbs) | 15.2 mm
    Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 QOY (Snapdragon)
    Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 QOY Snapdragon
    September 2024 | 16.0 inches
    1.82 kg (4.01 lbs) | 16.7 mm
    Latest ChromeOS Laptops
    Acer Chromebook 516 GE
    Acer Chromebook 516 GE
    October 2022 | 16.0 inches
    Acer Chromebook 512
    Acer Chromebook 512
    January 2022 | 12.0 inches
    Acer Chromebook 314
    Acer Chromebook 314
    January 2022 | 14.0 inches
    Acer Chromebook 311
    Acer Chromebook 311
    January 2022 | 11.6 inches
    Copyright © 2024 by LaptopDecision
    Privacy About CameraDecision SpeakerDecision GpuDecision PhoneDecision

    Report a Correction