Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core i5-14501E Comparison

Intel Core 5 120 and Intel Core i5-14501E are both 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors built on the Raptor Lake architecture for the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The data available in the database shows a clear distinction between the two, primarily driven by the Core 5 120 having a full set of recorded benchmark results while the Core i5-14501E has no benchmark entries. This analysis relies on the architectural specifications and the measured performance of the Core 5 120 to outline their respective positions.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 is the only one of the two with recorded performance data, so it wins every measured workload category by default. Its benchmark scores cover a wide range of tests, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 for both multi-core and single-core performance, as well as multiple PassMark tests for specialized tasks like data compression, encryption, floating-point math, and integer math. The Core i5-14501E has no benchmark scores in the database, meaning there are no recorded wins for it in any test.

The Core i5-14501E does hold advantages in the specifications that affect real-world performance. Its base clock is 3.30 GHz compared to 2.50 GHz for the Core 5 120, and its boost clock reaches 5.20 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. The Core i5-14501E also has a larger L3 cache, 24 MB shared, while the Core 5 120 has 18 MB shared. These differences would likely translate into higher single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, but the database contains no benchmark results to confirm this.

The Core 5 120 also has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs at 77, whereas the Core i5-14501E sits at 50. This percentile is based on the average benchmark score, and since the Core i5-14501E has an average score of zero, its percentile is lower. The Core 5 120 has an average benchmark score of 25362, placing it in the upper quartile of all processors.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same base architecture: Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, and both are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. They have identical core counts of 6 cores and 12 threads, and both support dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The PCIe interface is also the same, Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the CPU only.

The key architectural differences lie in clock speeds, cache size, integrated graphics, and ECC memory support. The Core i5-14501E has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz and a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to the Core 5 120's 2.50 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. This gives the Core i5-14501E a significant clock advantage in all scenarios.

The L3 cache differs by 6 MB, with the Core i5-14501E offering 24 MB shared versus 18 MB shared on the Core 5 120. The L1 cache is the same at 80 KB per core, and the L2 cache is also identical at 1.25 MB per core. The die size differs notably: the Core 5 120 has a die size of 163 mm², while the Core i5-14501E is larger at 215 mm².

The integrated graphics are different models. The Core 5 120 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core i5-14501E uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core i5-14501E also supports ECC memory, a feature not present on the Core 5 120. Both processors have locked multipliers, so overclocking is not supported in either case.

The release dates differ by about a year. The Core i5-14501E was released on 2024-06-30, while the Core 5 120 was released on 2025-07-30. Both are listed as Active in production status and target the Desktop market segment.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results between these two processors. The only benchmark data available belongs to the Intel Core 5 120. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 18255, and its single-core score is 2577. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 7667 and single-core is 1082. The Cinebench R15 results show 1840 for multi-core and 259 for single-core.

The PassMark results for the Core 5 120 cover a broader set of tasks. The multithread score is 18597, while the single-thread score is 3595. The data compression test yields 219535, and data encryption scores 11131. Extended instructions score 14264, and the find prime numbers test produces a score of 77. Floating-point math scores 45383, integer math scores 60462, and physics scores 1333. Random string sorting completes with a score of 21499.

The average benchmark score for the Core 5 120 is 25362. Its nearest rivals in the database provide context for this score. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D has an average score of 25365, essentially matching the Core 5 120 with a delta of 0%. The Intel Core i7-11700KF scores 25423, which is 0.2% higher. The Intel Core i5-13400F scores 25292, 0.3% lower. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U scores 25432, 0.3% higher. These comparisons show the Core 5 120 performing within a narrow band around these competitors, within a range of roughly 0.3% in either direction.

Since the Core i5-14501E has no benchmark scores, no direct numerical comparison is possible. The clock speed and cache differences suggest the Core i5-14501E would outperform the Core 5 120 in most tests, but the database provides no measurements to support this.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14501E has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-14501E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120 does not.

Q: What is the L3 cache size difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-14501E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The difference is 6 MB.

Q: Which processor has recorded benchmark scores in the database?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 120 has benchmark scores. The Intel Core i5-14501E has no benchmark entries in the database.

Q: How does the Core 5 120 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core 5 120 has an average benchmark score of 25362. Its closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D with a score of 25365 and a delta of 0%. The Intel Core i7-11700KF scores 0.2% higher, the Intel Core i5-13400F scores 0.3% lower, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U scores 0.3% higher.

Q: What is the release date for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-14501E was released on 2024-06-30, and the Intel Core 5 120 was released on 2025-07-30.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward situation. The Intel Core 5 120 is the only processor with measured performance, and it delivers a strong set of results across Cinebench and PassMark tests. Its average benchmark score of 25362 places it at the 77th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals are all within a 0.3% margin, indicating consistent performance at that level.

The Intel Core i5-14501E, while lacking benchmark data, has clear specification advantages. Its higher base clock of 3.30 GHz and boost clock of 5.20 GHz, larger 24 MB L3 cache, and support for ECC memory make it a more capable processor on paper. The UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics also represent a newer model compared to the UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 120.

For users who require ECC memory support or need the highest possible clock speeds, the Core i5-14501E is the logical choice based on its specifications. For users who want a processor with verified benchmark performance data, the Core 5 120 provides a well-documented performance profile that matches closely with several contemporary CPUs. The Core 5 120 also has a lower launch MSRP of $211, while the Core i5-14501E has no listed launch price.

The choice between these two comes down to whether the user prioritizes confirmed performance measurements or the higher clock speeds and additional features of the Core i5-14501E. The benchmark data supports the Core 5 120, while the specifications support the Core i5-14501E. Neither processor has a multiplier unlocked, so overclocking is not an option for either.