Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core i7-14701TE Comparison
Intel Core 5 120
Core i7-14701TE
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 120 vs Intel Core i7-14701TE
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE has a higher average benchmark score of 26013, compared to 25362 for the Intel Core 5 120. The i7-14701TE also sits at the 78th percentile against all CPUs, while the Core 5 120 sits at the 77th percentile.
Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?
A: The Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i7-14701TE scores 17035. The Core 5 120 is ahead by 7.2% in this workload.
Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which is higher than the 4.50 GHz boost clock of the Intel Core 5 120.
Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?
A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i7-14701TE offers 2 additional cores and 4 additional threads.
Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?
A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 120 and the Intel Core i7-14701TE support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.
Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?
A: The Intel Core i7-14701TE has a shared L3 cache of 33 MB, while the Intel Core 5 120 has a shared L3 cache of 18 MB. The i7-14701TE also has a larger L2 cache at 2 MB per core, compared to 1.25 MB per core on the Core 5 120.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename and use a 10 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. They share the same Intel Socket 1700 and both feature PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics differ, with the Intel Core 5 120 using UHD Graphics 730 and the Intel Core i7-14701TE using UHD Graphics 770.
The core configurations diverge significantly. The Intel Core i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives the i7-14701TE a 33% advantage in core count and a 33% advantage in thread count. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, but the L2 cache differs: 1.25 MB per core on the Core 5 120 versus 2 MB per core on the i7-14701TE. The L3 cache also differs substantially, with the i7-14701TE offering 33 MB shared versus 18 MB shared on the Core 5 120.
The die size reflects the difference in resources. The Intel Core i7-14701TE has a die size of 257 mm², while the Intel Core 5 120 has a die size of 163 mm². The i7-14701TE also carries a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz against 4.50 GHz on the Core 5 120, though its base clock is lower at 2.10 GHz versus 2.50 GHz. The power envelope differs as well: the i7-14701TE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Core 5 120 has a TDP of 65 watts.
ECC memory support is present on the Intel Core i7-14701TE but not on the Intel Core 5 120. The release dates differ, with the i7-14701TE released in June 2024 and the Core 5 120 released in July 2025. The Core 5 120 has a launch MSRP of $211, while the i7-14701TE has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers and are in active production.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head results show a clear split between Cinebench and PassMark workloads. In all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Core 5 120 wins by a consistent margin of roughly 7%. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows 1840 versus 1716, a 7.2% advantage. Single-core R15 is 259 versus 242, a 7% lead. The R20 tests follow the same pattern: 7667 versus 7154 in multi-core and 1082 versus 1010 in single-core, both around 7.1% to 7.2% ahead. The R23 results also show 18255 versus 17035 in multi-core and 2577 versus 2405 in single-core, both a 7.2% lead for the Core 5 120.
The PassMark suite tells a different story. The Intel Core i7-14701TE wins 9 of the 11 PassMark tests. The largest margin comes in PassMark single-thread, but that test goes to the Core 5 120: 3595 versus 2637, a 36.3% advantage. That single-thread result is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The i7-14701TE counters with a 46.2% lead in find prime numbers, scoring 143 versus 77. Physics shows a 28.3% lead for the i7-14701TE at 1860 versus 1333. Floating point math is 9.6% higher on the i7-14701TE, 50219 versus 45383, and integer math is 8.1% higher, 65792 versus 60462.
The multithread PassMark result favors the i7-14701TE at 20042 versus 18597, a 7.2% lead. Data encryption shows 11699 versus 11131, a 4.9% win for the i7-14701TE, while data compression is close at 220520 versus 219535, only a 0.4% difference. Random string sorting goes to the i7-14701TE at 22760 versus 21499, a 5.5% lead. Extended instructions are nearly even, 14354 versus 14264, a 0.6% edge for the i7-14701TE.
The overall win count is nearly balanced: the Core 5 120 wins 8 head-to-head tests, while the i7-14701TE wins 9. The average benchmark score tilts toward the i7-14701TE at 26013 versus 25362, a difference of about 2.6%. The percentile ranks are close, with the i7-14701TE at the 78th percentile and the Core 5 120 at the 77th percentile.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Intel Core i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is 2.10 GHz on the i7-14701TE versus 2.50 GHz on the Core 5 120. The boost clock is 5.20 GHz on the i7-14701TE versus 4.50 GHz on the Core 5 120. The TDP is 45 watts on the i7-14701TE versus 65 watts on the Core 5 120.
The L2 cache is 2 MB per core on the i7-14701TE versus 1.25 MB per core on the Core 5 120. The L3 cache is 33 MB shared on the i7-14701TE versus 18 MB shared on the Core 5 120. Die size is 257 mm² on the i7-14701TE versus 163 mm² on the Core 5 120. The integrated graphics unit is UHD Graphics 770 on the i7-14701TE versus UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 5 120. ECC memory support is available on the i7-14701TE but not on the Core 5 120.
The release dates differ: the i7-14701TE launched in June 2024, while the Core 5 120 launched in July 2025. The Core 5 120 has a recorded launch MSRP of $211, while the i7-14701TE has no recorded launch MSRP. The part numbers also differ, with the Core 5 120 listed as SA35V and the i7-14701TE listed as Q49GSRNJL.
The Verdict
The benchmark data shows a processor split along workload lines. The Intel Core 5 120 dominates single-thread performance in the PassMark suite with a 36.3% lead in single-thread score. It also wins every Cinebench test, including both single-core and multi-core variants, by a consistent 7% to 7.2% margin. The Core 5 120 delivers its results at a 65 watt TDP and carries a launch MSRP of $211.
The Intel Core i7-14701TE wins the majority of the PassMark tests, including the multithread score, physics, integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, random string sorting, and find prime numbers. Its largest wins come in find prime numbers at 46.2% and physics at 28.3%. The i7-14701TE does this at a lower 45 watt TDP and with ECC memory support, features that matter for certain professional workloads. The i7-14701TE also has more cores, more threads, a larger L2 and L3 cache, and a higher boost clock.
The average benchmark scores place the i7-14701TE slightly ahead at 26013 versus 25362, and it holds a one-point percentile advantage at 78 versus 77. Users prioritizing the Cinebench rendering workloads and peak single-thread PassMark performance would favor the Core 5 120. Users requiring ECC memory, more cores, lower power draw, and the stronger PassMark math and physics results would favor the i7-14701TE. The data does not show a single overall winner, only a workload-dependent split.