Intel Targets Budget Gamers with New Core 5 120F CPU

Intel is preparing to release a new budget-friendly gaming CPU (according to @momomo_us), which does not carry the Core Ultra branding and avoids any AI-related promotions. This upcoming CPU is the Intel Core 5 120F, reportedly a LGA1700 CPU aimed at providing impressive gaming capabilities at an affordable price. As Intel puts it, this CPU is “no frills, just thrills.”

Since it lacks the Core Ultra branding, we can deduce that this CPU does not include an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) and is not built on Intel’s Arrow Lake CPU architecture. Moreover, its F-series designation suggests that it also does not come with integrated graphics. Rumors suggest that this new chip is a Bartlett Lake CPU, which may share a similar architecture with Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs.

The specifications of the new Intel CPU seem nearly identical to those of Intel’s i5-12400F CPU. The primary distinction is the 120F’s boost clock speed, which is 100 MHz higher. However, it's important to mention that the i5-12400F belongs to Intel's Alder Lake family. The Intel Core 5 120F may employ a more recent CPU architecture. If the 120F utilizes this newer architecture, it may feature an increased L2 cache. Such a modification could significantly enhance gaming performance compared to Intel’s Core i5-12400F.

Unfortunately, comprehensive details about Intel’s Core 5 120F CPU are not yet available. Its price remains undisclosed, and information regarding its CPU architecture and motherboard compatibility is still unverified. Nonetheless, it's exciting to see what Intel has prepared for budget-conscious PC gamers. As assembling a new gaming PC has become more costly, these value-driven offerings are increasingly appealing.

The leaked Intel Core 5 120F suggests a promising new addition to Intel’s portfolio—compact, efficient, and budget-friendly. However, for those in search of premium performance today, complete with state-of-the-art AI support, integrated graphics, and exceptional multitasking capabilities, the Intel Core Ultra 7 200 is available. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.