Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core i7-14701E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a decisive sweep: the Intel Core i7-14701E wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 5 120. There are no tests where the Core 5 120 takes the lead. The margin of victory, however, varies significantly across workload types, offering insight into where the architectural gap is narrowest and where it is widest.

In the Cinebench suite, the Core i7-14701E consistently leads by approximately 17.7% to 17.8%. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 120 scores 18255 points while the Core i7-14701E scores 22195 points, a delta of -17.8%. The single-core results follow the same pattern: Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Core 5 120 at 2577 points versus 3133 points for the Core i7-14701E, again a -17.7% difference. This uniformity across both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench tests suggests that the Core i7-14701E's advantage is not merely about core count, but also about per-core efficiency and clock speed.

The Passmark suite reveals a more varied picture, with the Core i7-14701E's lead expanding in specific workloads. The largest single margin appears in the Passmark find prime numbers test, where the Core i7-14701E scores 176 versus 77 for the Core 5 120. That is a delta of -56.2%, meaning the Core 5 120 trails by more than half. This test is highly sensitive to integer arithmetic and memory latency, areas where the Core i7-14701E's larger cache and higher clock speeds provide a pronounced benefit.

The Passmark physics test also shows a substantial gap. The Core i7-14701E scores 2399, while the Core 5 120 scores 1333, a -44.4% difference. Physics simulations often rely on floating-point throughput and thread scheduling, and the data indicates the Core i7-14701E delivers far stronger performance in this domain. Similarly, the Passmark multithread test shows a -28.8% delta, with the Core i7-14701E at 26112 and the Core 5 120 at 18597. This aligns with the Core i7-14701E's additional cores and threads.

Other Passmark tests show more moderate, yet still significant, margins. Data encryption shows the Core i7-14701E ahead by -25.1% (14862 versus 11131). Floating point math shows a -26.7% delta (61873 versus 45383). Integer math shows a -25.7% delta (81325 versus 60462). Random string sorting shows a -26.3% delta (29158 versus 21499). Extended instructions show a -23% delta (18528 versus 14264). Data compression shows a -22.4% delta (282939 versus 219535). The smallest margin in the entire dataset is in the Passmark single-thread test, where the Core i7-14701E leads by -16.5% (4305 versus 3595). Even in this closest comparison, the Core i7-14701E maintains a clear advantage.

The average benchmark scores confirm the overall picture. The Core 5 120 has an average benchmark score of 25362, placing it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database. The Core i7-14701E has an average benchmark score of 33206, placing it in the 83rd percentile. That is a 7844-point gap in average score, representing roughly a 31% advantage for the Core i7-14701E. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 120 include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (average score 25365, delta 0%) and the Intel Core i5-13400F (average score 25292, delta 0.3%). The nearest rivals for the Core i7-14701E include the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H (average score 33201, delta 0%) and the Intel Core i7-13650HX (average score 33089, delta 0.4%). Both processors sit comfortably within their respective performance tiers.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i7-14701E outperforms the Intel Core 5 120 in every recorded test, from Cinebench render workloads to Passmark encryption and physics simulations. The Core i7-14701E's wins are not marginal; they range from a -16.5% lead in single-thread performance to a -56.2% lead in prime number calculation. For any workload that benefits from additional cores, higher clocks, or larger cache, the Core i7-14701E is the stronger processor.

The Core 5 120, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, still delivers respectable absolute scores. A Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18255 and a Passmark multithread score of 18597 are solid figures. The data shows it competes closely with its own nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D and the Intel Core i5-13400F, where deltas are within 0.3%. But against the Core i7-14701E, it is consistently behind.

The Core i7-14701E, with 8 cores and 16 threads, provides a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz compared to 4.50 GHz for the Core 5 120. The benchmark results reflect this specification advantage directly. The database shows the Core i7-14701E's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX and the Intel Core i7-13650HX, suggesting it is positioned in a higher performance class altogether. The verdict from the data is straightforward: the Core i7-14701E is the superior choice for users who prioritize raw benchmark performance across the board.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E wins with a score of 22195, while the Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255. The Core i7-14701E leads by a delta of -17.8%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in the Passmark find prime numbers test. The Intel Core i7-14701E scores 176, while the Intel Core 5 120 scores 77, resulting in a delta of -56.2%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E leads in the Passmark single-thread test with a score of 4305 versus 3595 for the Intel Core 5 120, a delta of -16.5%. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a similar margin, with the Core i7-14701E at 3133 and the Core 5 120 at 2577.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has an average benchmark score of 25362, placing it in the 77th percentile. The Intel Core i7-14701E has an average benchmark score of 33206, placing it in the 83rd percentile.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the Intel Core 5 120 wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Intel Core i7-14701E wins all 17 recorded benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 5 120 records zero wins.

Q: How does the Core i7-14701E compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core i7-14701E's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H, with a delta of 0%. It also sits close to the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS (delta -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX (delta 0.3%).

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several key differences between the two processors. The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The base clock for the Core 5 120 is 2.50 GHz, while the Core i7-14701E has a base clock of 2.60 GHz. The boost clock differs more substantially: the Core 5 120 boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the Core i7-14701E boosts to 5.40 GHz.

Both processors share the same socket (Intel Socket 1700) and have the same thermal design power (65). The Core 5 120 has a launch MSRP of $211, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Core i7-14701E. Both processors have a locked multiplier. The Core 5 120 has a die size of 163 mm², while the Core i7-14701E has a larger die size of 257 mm².

Memory support is identical: both support DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. Both also feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ: the Core 5 120 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core i7-14701E uses UHD Graphics 770. A notable difference is ECC memory support. The Core 5 120 does not support ECC memory, while the Core i7-14701E does. The release dates differ as well: the Core 5 120 was released on 2025-07-30, while the Core i7-14701E was released on 2024-06-30.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Intel architecture, Raptor Lake, using the Raptor Lake-R codename and the 10 nm process node from Intel. The generation labels differ: the Core 5 120 is listed as "Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh)", while the Core i7-14701E is listed as "Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh)". Both are desktop processors and both are produced by Intel as the foundry.

The cache structures show clear differences. The L1 cache is the same at 80 KB per core for both. The L2 cache differs: the Core 5 120 has 1.25 MB per core, while the Core i7-14701E has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache shows a larger gap: the Core 5 120 has 18 MB shared, while the Core i7-14701E has 33 MB shared. This additional cache capacity is a likely contributor to the Core i7-14701E's strong performance in cache-sensitive tests like Passmark find prime numbers.

The process node is identical (10 nm), and neither processor uses 3D V-Cache. The transistor count is not recorded for either processor. The market segment for both is Desktop, and both have an active production status. The part numbers are SA35V for the Core 5 120 and Q49FSRNJK for the Core i7-14701E.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the head-to-head data, the Intel Core i7-14701E wins in every benchmark category. There is no workload in the recorded set where the Intel Core 5 120 takes the lead. The Core i7-14701E's advantage is most pronounced in compute-heavy and cache-sensitive tasks. The Passmark find prime numbers test shows a -56.2% delta, indicating the Core i7-14701E is vastly superior in integer-heavy, memory-latency-bound operations. The Passmark physics test, with a -44.4% delta, reinforces this pattern for simulation-style workloads.

The Core i7-14701E also delivers strong multi-threaded performance. The Passmark multithread test shows a -28.8% delta, and the Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows a -17.8% delta. The additional 2 cores and 4 threads, combined with the larger 33 MB L3 cache, provide a measurable advantage in render and data-parallel workloads. The data compression test shows a -22.4% delta, and the integer math test shows a -25.7% delta, both favoring the Core i7-14701E.

The Intel Core 5 120, while never winning a head-to-head test, still offers competitive absolute performance in its own tier. Its average benchmark score of 25362 places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (25365) and the Intel Core i5-13400F (25292). For single-threaded tasks, the Core 5 120's score of 3595 in Passmark single-thread is within 16.5% of the Core i7-14701E, which is the closest margin recorded. The Core 5 120 may be sufficient for lighter workloads, but the data shows no scenario where it outperforms the Core i7-14701E.

The Core i7-14701E's wins span all 17 tests, from Cinebench R15 to Passmark single-thread. The data confirms that the Core i7-14701E is the stronger processor for every measured application, with its largest leads in prime number calculation, physics, and multithreaded throughput. The Core 5 120's role, according to the recorded benchmarks, is limited to being a competent entry point within the Raptor Lake Refresh family, but it cannot match the Core i7-14701E's performance in any recorded metric.