Key Takeaways
1. Intel has rebranded its Core i5-12400 series to Core 5 120 and Core 5 120F, with minor changes in specifications.
2. The new models maintain six performance cores with Hyper-Threading and an 18 MB L3 cache, with a slight increase in maximum turbo speed to 4.5 GHz.
3. Initial prices are high, with the Core 5 120 priced around $246 and the Core 5 120F at $216, making them more expensive than newer Intel processors.
4. Price comparisons show the Core 5 120 is about 40% more costly than the faster Core i5-14400, which is $176.
5. Historical trends suggest that high launch prices for recycled designs may decrease over time, potentially making the Core 5 120 series more appealing for budget gaming builds.
Intel has brought back a well-known silicon design under a different name, subtly transforming the previously favored Core i5-12400 series into the newly branded Core 5 120 and Core 5 120F. Early listings from retailers, noted by industry observer momomo_us, indicate initial prices of $246.01 for the standard processor and $216.66 for the variant without graphics. While these numbers might just be temporary, they currently position these chips above Intel’s faster, more recent processors.
Specifications Remain Similar
Fundamentally, not much has changed. The new models still feature six performance cores with Hyper-Threading, lacking any efficiency cores, and they both utilize an 18 MB L3 cache. The Core 5 120 is said to increase its maximum turbo speed to 4.5 GHz (up from 4.4 GHz seen in last year’s i5-12400) and has a reduced turbo TDP of 110 W. The “F” version removes integrated graphics entirely, requiring builders to install a separate GPU.
Price Concerns Arise
The main issue is the pricing. At nearly $250, the Core 5 120 is about 40 percent pricier than Intel’s quicker Core i5-14400, which is priced at $176, and even surpasses the unlocked Core i5-14600K, which costs $199 on Amazon as of now. The stripped-down Core 5 120F is no better off: its initial price is twice that of the still-available i5-12400F, which can be found for just under $110.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
Such price increases are not new—AMD’s Ryzen 3000XT and 5000XT updates had similar price trends—but past experience indicates that high launch prices on recycled designs typically don’t last long. If the Core 5 120 series eventually settles closer to the sub-$100 range suggested by some analysts, it may carve out a niche in budget gaming builds, where six Raptor-Lake-class cores running at 4.5 GHz are sufficient for esports games.
Until that adjustment takes place, however, Intel’s rebranding might be overshadowed by its own newer and more affordable Core i5 options, along with AMD’s budget-friendly products. Those looking for an economical upgrade on the aging LGA 1700 platform may want to keep an eye on retailer listings for more accurate prices before making a decision on these processors.
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