Intel Celeron N4120 vs Intel Core 5 processor 120U

The Intel Celeron N4120 (Gemini Lake) is an entry-level processor for inexpensive devices and basic tasks.

The Intel Core 5 Processor 120U (Raptor Lake U) is a mainstream processor for notebooks, offering significantly more performance for productivity and multitasking. The Celeron N4120 is manufactured using a 14 nm process and has four cores with 4 MB L3 cache; its memory bandwidth is 38 GB/s. The Core 5 120U uses a 10 nm process and a hybrid architecture with performance and efficient cores for a higher thread count, 12 MB L2 cache, and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth.

The computing performance of the Celeron N4120 is sufficient for simple tasks but is comparatively low. The Core 5 120U significantly outperforms the Celeron N4120 in single-core and multi-core performance. Its modern architecture delivers substantially higher performance for better responsiveness and demanding workloads.

For gaming, the Celeron N4120 with Intel UHD Graphics 600 is only extremely limited in usability. The Core 5 120U with Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80 (Alder Lake) offers significantly higher graphics performance, enabling light gaming at low to medium settings, supported by its higher memory bandwidth. The Celeron N4120 is characterized by very low power consumption and low TDP, ideal for fanless designs.

The Core 5 120U has a higher, variable TDP, requires active cooling, but enables significantly higher computing performance. The Celeron N4120 can be found in very affordable devices and offers solid performance for its minimal purchase price. The Core 5 120U is positioned in a higher price category and offers disproportionately higher performance per Euro for users investing in improved speed and versatility.

The Intel Celeron N4120 is ideal for extremely budget-conscious users with basic needs, thanks to energy efficiency and low costs. For multitasking, more demanding software, or light gaming, the Intel Core 5 Processor 120U offers superior performance and is the recommended option for a smoother user experience.