Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core 5 120 and the Intel Core i5-14490F is one-sided. Across all 17 recorded tests, the Core i5-14490F delivers a higher score. The Core 5 120 records zero wins in the head-to-head data.

The largest margins appear in PassMark workloads. In random string sorting, the Core i5-14490F scores 35608 against 21499 for the Core 5 120, a 39.6% advantage. Data encryption shows a 38.9% gap, with scores of 18225 versus 11131. Find prime numbers trails by 36.9%, and physics simulation by 36.3%, with scores of 122 versus 77 and 2093 versus 1333 respectively. Data compression shows a 35.4% delta, at 340026 versus 219535.

Multithreaded performance follows the same pattern. PassMark multithread scores 28662 for the Core i5-14490F and 18597 for the Core 5 120, a 35.1% difference. The Cinebench suite shows a consistent 20.6% gap across R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. The Core i5-14490F records 2318, 9660, and 23000 in those tests, while the Core 5 120 records 1840, 7667, and 18255.

Single-core results are closer. The smallest delta in the entire comparison is in PassMark single thread, where the Core i5-14490F leads by 7.2%, scoring 3873 against 3595. Cinebench single-core tests show a wider spread of 20.8% in R15 (327 versus 259) and 20.6% in both R20 and R23 (1363 versus 1082, and 3247 versus 2577). Integer math and floating point math show gaps of 31.2% and 31.8%, with scores of 87844 versus 60462 and 66558 versus 45383. Extended instructions complete the set at 34.4%, with 21731 against 14264.

The average benchmark score places the Core i5-14490F at 38149, compared to 25362 for the Core 5 120. The Core i5-14490F sits at the 86th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 120 sits at the 77th percentile. The nearest rival to the Core 5 120 is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D with an average score of 25365 and a delta of 0%, effectively a tie. The Intel Core i7-11700KF trails by 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U trails by 0.3%. For the Core i5-14490F, the nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T at 38194, a 0.1% difference, with the Intel Core i5-13600KF 0.1% behind and the AMD Ryzen 7 250 0.2% behind.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's Raptor Lake architecture on the Raptor Lake-R codename, and both are built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The foundry is Intel in both cases. Despite the architectural similarity, the two chips differ in core configuration and die size.

The Core 5 120 provides 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core i5-14490F provides 10 cores and 16 threads. That difference in core and thread count is the primary driver of the multicore performance gap observed in the benchmark data.

The Core 5 120 has a die size of 163 mm², while the Core i5-14490F has a die size of 215 mm². The larger die carries additional cores and a larger shared L3 cache. The Core 5 120 includes 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i5-14490F includes 24 MB. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core.

Base clocks are identical at 2.50 GHz for both processors. Boost clocks differ: the Core 5 120 reaches 4.50 GHz, while the Core i5-14490F reaches 5.00 GHz. The higher boost clock contributes to the single-core advantage seen in the benchmarks, though the Core 5 120 still trails by 7.2% to 20.8% in single-threaded tests.

Both processors carry a 65 W TDP and use the Intel Socket 1700. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both are locked processors, meaning the multiplier is not unlocked.

The integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730. The Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. The Core 5 120 was released on 2025-07-30, while the Core i5-14490F was released on 2023-12-31. The Core 5 120 has a launch MSRP of $211. The Core i5-14490F has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Both processors belong to the Raptor Lake Refresh generation, though the Core 5 120 is listed simply as "Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh)" while the Core i5-14490F is listed as "Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh)". The Core i5-14490F carries the series designation "Core 14th Gen". Both are active production parts for the desktop market.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Core i5-14490F in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core i5-14490F scores 23000 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Core 5 120 scores 18255. That is a 20.6% advantage for the Core i5-14490F.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Yes. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730. The Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Core 5 120 boosts to 4.50 GHz. The Core i5-14490F boosts to 5.00 GHz. The base clock is 2.50 GHz for both.

Q: How do the two processors compare in the database percentile ranking?

A: The Core i5-14490F ranks at the 86th percentile among all CPUs. The Core 5 120 ranks at the 77th percentile.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core i5-14490F wins every benchmark in the comparison, and the margins are substantial in most workloads. The smallest gap is 7.2% in PassMark single thread, and the largest gap is 39.6% in random string sorting. The average benchmark score tells a similar story: 38149 for the Core i5-14490F versus 25362 for the Core 5 120.

The Core i5-14490F belongs in a different performance tier. Its 10 cores and 16 threads, 24 MB of L3 cache, and 5.00 GHz boost clock give it a decisive edge over the 6-core, 12-thread Core 5 120 with 18 MB of L3 cache and a 4.50 GHz boost clock. The percentile ranking confirms this, with the Core i5-14490F at the 86th percentile and the Core 5 120 at the 77th.

The Core 5 120 is not without its own positioning. It includes UHD Graphics 730, which the Core i5-14490F lacks. It also has a launch MSRP of $211, while the Core i5-14490F has no recorded launch MSRP. For a system that requires integrated graphics, the Core 5 120 is the only option of the two. For raw compute performance, the Core i5-14490F is the choice.

The nearest rival data puts both processors in context. The Core 5 120 trades blows with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D, the Intel Core i7-11700KF, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, all within 0.3% of its average score. The Core i5-14490F sits alongside the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T, the Intel Core i5-13600KF, and the AMD Ryzen 7 250, all within 0.2%. The two processors are not competing in the same performance class according to the database measurements.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several specifications: base clock of 2.50 GHz, TDP of 65 W, Intel Socket 1700, Raptor Lake architecture, Raptor Lake-R codename, 10 nm process node, Intel foundry, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, locked multiplier, desktop market segment, and active production status.

The differences are as follows:

• Cores: 6 for the Core 5 120, 10 for the Core i5-14490F
• Threads: 12 for the Core 5 120, 16 for the Core i5-14490F
• Boost clock: 4.50 GHz for the Core 5 120, 5.00 GHz for the Core i5-14490F
• Die size: 163 mm² for the Core 5 120, 215 mm² for the Core i5-14490F
• L3 cache: 18 MB shared for the Core 5 120, 24 MB shared for the Core i5-14490F
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 5 120, N/A for the Core i5-14490F
• Release date: 2025-07-30 for the Core 5 120, 2023-12-31 for the Core i5-14490F
• Launch MSRP: $211 for the Core 5 120, none recorded for the Core i5-14490F
• Series: none for the Core 5 120, Core 14th Gen for the Core i5-14490F
• Part number: SA35V for the Core 5 120, SRN35 for the Core i5-14490F

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins in every measured benchmark category. The strongest relative results are in PassMark workloads, where the deltas range from 31.2% to 39.6%. The weakest relative result is in PassMark single thread at 7.2%. Cinebench tests show a consistent 20.6% to 20.8% gap. The Core i5-14490F is the better choice for compute-heavy tasks, including data compression, encryption, extended instruction workloads, physics simulation, integer math, and floating point math.

The Intel Core 5 120 has one clear functional advantage: integrated graphics. The UHD Graphics 730 means a system built around the Core 5 120 does not require a discrete GPU for display output. The Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, so it requires a separate graphics card. The Core 5 120 also has a recorded launch MSRP of $211, while the Core i5-14490F has no recorded launch MSRP.

For a system where integrated graphics are essential, the Core 5 120 is the only viable option between the two. For any workload that benefits from additional cores, higher boost clocks, or larger cache, the Core i5-14490F is the clear choice based on the benchmark data. The 10-core configuration and 5.00 GHz boost clock deliver consistent advantages across single-threaded and multithreaded tests alike.