Intel surreptitiously launches 'novel' Core 5 CPUs, resembling 12th Gen models: Core 5 120 and Core 5 120F, aiming at budget gaming niche, touting i5-12400 specifications and 100 MHz enhancement.
Intel's Core 5 120 Processor Launches with Higher Price Tag
Intel has quietly launched the Core 5 120 and Core 5 120F processors, based on Alder Lake silicon. The new processors are a curious addition to Intel's lineup, given their higher price point and modest performance improvements compared to their counterparts.
According to early retailer listings, the price of the Core 5 120 processor is around $246. This price is significantly higher than expected for this model, making it more expensive than newer Intel Core i5 models like the 12400 and 14400, which are priced well below $200.
The Core 5 120 is essentially a rebranded Core i5-12400 with a slight boost clock speed upgrade. It offers a 100 MHz higher boost clock than the Core i5-12400, with a base clock of 2.5 GHz and a boost up to 4.5 GHz. Both processors have a six-core, 12-thread configuration, 7.5MB of L2 cache, and 18MB of L3 cache. They also support DDR5-4800 and DDR4-3200 memory, similar to the Core i5-12400.
However, the higher price point of the Core 5 120 has caused confusion and criticism since the performance and architecture are older and less advanced compared to the newer i5 models. Market observers suggest that the listed prices may be placeholders or early listings, but if accurate, the prices seem out of line with the chip's value given competition from cheaper AMD Ryzen options and newer Intel CPUs.
It's worth noting that Intel can combine various dies with different chips to boost profits, such as reusing an older die for a new product or repurposing a high-end die for a lower-end model. This practice seems to be the case with the Core 5 120, as the Core i5-12400 was produced using a combination of Alder Lake C0 and H0 steppings.
Despite the higher price, budget gamers have long favoured the Core i5-1x400 series, and Intel aims to remain competitive with the Core 5 120. However, consumers are advised to be cautious due to better value alternatives available in the market.
The Core 5 120 product page indicates that the processor utilizes the Alder Lake H0 die, which is smaller and cheaper to produce compared to the C0 die. This could potentially explain the higher price, as Intel may be passing on the cost savings to consumers. However, the exact pricing for the Core 5 120 is currently unknown.
In conclusion, the Core 5 120 is priced unusually high at approximately $246 despite being an older generation chip with modest performance improvements. While it may offer a slight boost in clock speed, the higher price tag and older architecture make it a less appealing option compared to the newer Intel Core i5 models or cheaper AMD Ryzen alternatives. Consumers are advised to carefully consider their options before making a purchase.
[1] Retailer Listing 1 [2] Retailer Listing 2 [3] News Article 1 [4] News Article 2 [5] News Article 3
The Core 5 120, despite being priced significantly higher than expected for a model with modest performance improvements, can still be found among lists of tech offerings on various retailer websites, such as [Retailer Listing 1] and [Retailer Listing 2]. This higher price tag makes it more expensive than newer Intel Core i5 models, yet it is competitively priced against other tech gadgets in the market that utilize advanced technology.
