Intel Core 5 120HL vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

The Verdict

The database shows a clear performance hierarchy between these two Intel Socket 1700 processors. The Intel Core i9-14901E holds the 86th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Intel Core 5 120HL sits at the 50th percentile. The i9-14901E records an average benchmark score of 37911, placing it directly alongside the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, which scores 37904, and slightly ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X at 37943 (a 0.1% deficit). The Core 5 120HL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so the quantitative comparison relies entirely on the i9-14901E's measured results and the architectural differences between the two parts.

The i9-14901E is the processor for workloads that demand high single-threaded responsiveness and sustained multi-core throughput. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25753 and single-core score of 3635 reflect a design aimed at desktop performance. The Core 5 120HL, lacking any benchmark entries, cannot be positioned on the same performance curve from direct measurements. Its 45 watt TDP and 12-core configuration suggest a lower-power orientation, but the database does not provide measured scores to confirm relative standing.

The i9-14901E also carries a 36 MB shared L3 cache, double the 18 MB shared L3 cache of the Core 5 120HL, which typically benefits workloads with larger working sets. Its PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 CPU lanes exceeds the Gen 4, 8 lane interface of the Core 5 120HL, making the i9-14901E the stronger choice for expansion and data transfer. The Core 5 120HL has no launch MSRP recorded, while the i9-14901E also has no launch MSRP in the database, so neither part can be positioned by price.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the Raptor Lake architecture and are built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The Core 5 120HL uses the Raptor Lake-PS codename, while the i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake-R. The Core 5 120HL belongs to the Core 5 generation (Raptor Lake-PS), whereas the i9-14901E belongs to the Core 14th Gen series with the Raptor Lake Refresh generation label.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 5 120HL provides 12 cores and 16 threads, while the i9-14901E provides 8 cores and 16 threads. Both parts offer the same thread count, but the Core 5 120HL distributes it across more physical cores. The i9-14901E compensates with higher clock speeds: a 2.80 GHz base clock and 5.60 GHz boost clock versus the Core 5 120HL's 2.60 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies share L1 and L2 structures, with 80 KB per core and 2 MB per core respectively on both processors. The L3 cache diverges sharply: 18 MB shared on the Core 5 120HL versus 36 MB shared on the i9-14901E. The i9-14901E also has a larger die at 257 mm², while the Core 5 120HL has no die size recorded.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 120HL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the i9-14901E uses UHD Graphics 770. The i9-14901E supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Core 5 120HL. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14901E wins in every measured benchmark category in the database, though the Core 5 120HL has no recorded scores to contest those results. The i9-14901E's PassMark single-thread score of 4354 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3635 indicate strong per-core performance, which favors lightly threaded applications such as legacy software, certain simulation tools, and interactive workloads. Its 5.60 GHz boost clock is the highest figure recorded for either processor.

In multi-threaded workloads, the i9-14901E's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25753 and Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 10816 show substantial throughput. The PassMark multi-thread score of 30298 and integer math score of 112736 reinforce this pattern. The Core 5 120HL's 12-core configuration could theoretically spread work across more physical cores, but no benchmark data confirms whether that translates into a win in any specific test.

The i9-14901E also leads in memory-adjacent and I/O scenarios. Its PCIe Gen 5, 16 lane interface provides double the lanes and a newer generation than the Core 5 120HL's Gen 4, 8 lane configuration. The 36 MB L3 cache on the i9-14901E offers more room for cached data, which can improve performance in data-intensive tasks like the PassMark data compression score of 288777 and data encryption score of 18571.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL has 12 cores, while the Intel Core i9-14901E has 8 cores. Both processors have 16 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E boosts to 5.60 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120HL boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-14901E supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120HL does not.

Q: How do their L3 caches compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 18 MB shared L3 cache on the Intel Core 5 120HL.

Q: Which processor has a higher benchmark percentile?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E sits at the 86th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 120HL sits at the 50th percentile, and the database contains no benchmark scores for it.

Q: What PCIe generation does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Intel Core 5 120HL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors, so the comparison depends on the i9-14901E's absolute scores and the architectural gaps between them. The i9-14901E's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25753 represents its strongest multi-threaded result. Its Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 10816 and Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 2595 show a consistent progression across Cinebench versions.

Single-threaded results on the i9-14901E are equally consistent: Cinebench R23 single-core at 3635, Cinebench R20 single-core at 1526, and Cinebench R15 single-core at 366. The PassMark single-thread score of 4354 corroborates these numbers. The 5.60 GHz boost clock is the highest clock figure in the database for either processor.

The PassMark suite on the i9-14901E reveals specific strengths. Floating point math scores 81089, integer math scores 112736, and extended instructions score 17249. Data compression scores 288777, while data encryption scores 18571. Random string sorting scores 39138, and find prime numbers scores 189. Physics scores 3041, and the multithread score is 30298.

The nearest rivals in the database put the i9-14901E's average score of 37911 into context. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 scores 37904, a 0% delta. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X scores 37943, a 0.1% deficit for the i9-14901E. The Intel Core 5 211E scores 37829, a 0.2% advantage for the i9-14901E. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 scores 37804, a 0.3% advantage. These deltas indicate the i9-14901E trades blows with current mid-range and embedded processors, sitting effectively at parity with them within a fraction of a percent.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120HL | Intel Core i9-14901E |

|---|---|---|

| Series | None recorded | Core 14th Gen |

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-PS | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) | Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Die Size | None recorded | 257 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 18 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Release Date | 2024-04-07 | 2024-06-30 |

| Part Number | SRPFR | Q49ESRNJH |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 50 | 86 |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 0 | 37911 |

| Launch MSRP | $279 | None recorded |

The two processors share the same manufacturer, socket (Intel Socket 1700), architecture (Raptor Lake), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (2 MB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), market segment (Desktop), production status (Active), and unlocked multiplier status (false). The i9-14901E records a 65 watt TDP versus 45 watts for the Core 5 120HL, a 20 watt difference that reflects its higher clock ceiling and larger L3 cache. The Core 5 120HL carries a $279 launch MSRP, while the i9-14901E has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.