Intel may soon release a new desktop processor, stripping away E-cores for a P-core only design. However, rather than slot into the company’s existing Core (Ultra) 2 Series, the processor curiously flies under a different banner.
X user momomo_us shared a leaked reference guide for Core 5 120F, which includes some of the processor’s specifications. The CPU will apparently feature six cores, with a base frequency of 2.5GHz and turbo of 4.5GHz. It’ll have 18MB of L3 cache at its disposal and a 65W power budget.
This technical makeup is practically identical to Core i5-12400F, save for the slightly higher maximum clock speed. As such, I don’t expect Core 5 120F will cost much. That’s if the processor makes its way to consumers at all, as the CPU could remain exclusively in the hands of system integrators.
However, there’s no mention of this processor’s underlying architecture. There are no prior desktop CPUs within the Core 1 Series to compare against, with Intel only releasing HL and and UL SKUs based on Raptor Lake designs for mobile and all-in-one systems like MSI Cubi NUC 1M.
It is possible that Intel has built Core 5 120F using the Bartlett Lake-S architecture, which would see the processor fit into older Socket LGA1700 motherboards rather than more-modern LGA1851 models. However, the chip will apparently carry no support for DRR4 modules, as the advertisement explicitly lists ‘DDR5-4800’ as its maximum memory speed.
Providing further support to the LGA1700 platform feels self-defeating, especially as Raptor Lake already continues to outsell Arrow Lake. LGA1851 would greatly benefit from affordable alternatives to the likes of Core Ultra 9 285K. Intel seems at least partially aware of this, as the brand reduced the price of Core Ultra 7 265K just a few months ago. Perhaps Arrow Lake Refresh will provide this lifeline.
Intel should provide an official word on Core 5 120F in the near future. For the moment, take the above with a grain of salt.
