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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark submissions for the Intel Core 5 120HL and the Intel Core i9-14901KE. Both processors hold identical percentile rankings in the global database, each sitting at the 50th percentile against all CPUs tracked. Their average benchmark scores are also equal at zero, meaning neither part has accumulated enough tested workload data for a statistically meaningful comparison in our measurements. With no wins recorded for either side, the wins tally sits at zero for both.

Given the absence of empirical test results, the comparison must rely entirely on the architectural and specification data present in the database. The Core i9-14901KE carries a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, which is 1.10 GHz higher than the Core 5 120HL's 4.70 GHz boost. That 23.4 percent clock advantage on the peak frequency is the single largest measured gap between the two parts. Base clocks also favor the i9, with 3.80 GHz versus 2.60 GHz, a 1.20 GHz difference.

The Core 5 120HL counters with a core count advantage. It packs 12 cores against the i9's 8 cores, a 50 percent increase in physical core count. Thread counts are identical at 16 threads each, so the 120HL's extra four cores do not translate into additional thread parallelism. The thermal design power figures reflect the divergent design philosophy: the 120HL is rated at 45 W while the i9-14901KE is rated at 125 W, a 2.78x difference in power envelope.

Cache allocation also diverges sharply. The i9-14901KE holds 36 MB of shared L3 cache, exactly double the 18 MB found on the Core 5 120HL. Per-core L1 and L2 cache allocations are identical at 80 KB and 2 MB per core respectively, meaning the i9's larger shared pool is the only cache hierarchy difference. The i9 also enables ECC memory support while the 120HL does not, and the i9 exposes PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes versus the 120HL's PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

Without recorded benchmark outputs, the case for each processor rests on the configuration data. The Core i9-14901KE is positioned for workloads that scale with single-thread frequency and memory integrity. Its 5.80 GHz boost clock is the highest peak frequency in this pairing, which favors lightly threaded applications where one or two cores dominate execution. The 36 MB L3 cache provides a larger working set for data-heavy tasks that exhibit locality, potentially reducing repeated memory fetches. ECC memory support makes the i9 suitable for error-sensitive compute environments where data corruption is unacceptable. The 125 W TDP indicates sustained power delivery for prolonged all-core loads, and the unlocked multiplier allows frequency adjustment beyond stock settings.

The Core 5 120HL is oriented toward power-constrained scenarios. Its 45 W TDP is 64 percent lower than the i9's rating, which suggests suitability for compact systems with limited cooling capacity. The 12-core layout with 16 threads delivers more physical cores per watt, which can benefit parallel workloads that are core-count sensitive rather than frequency sensitive. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics 80EU provides a more capable iGPU than the i9's UHD Graphics 770, based purely on the execution unit count. The 120HL also carries a launch MSRP of $279, a figure that appears once in the database for this processor.

The 120HL's 2.60 GHz base clock and 4.70 GHz boost clock place it below the i9 in raw frequency at every point. The i9's 3.80 GHz base clock means even its idle sustained speed exceeds the 120HL's turbo ceiling by 0.90 GHz. For workloads that never exceed a few threads, the i9 holds a theoretical advantage. For workloads that spread across many cores and must respect a strict power budget, the 120HL presents the more efficient physical design.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture and fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The Core 5 120HL uses the Raptor Lake-PS codename while the Core i9-14901KE uses Raptor Lake-R, reflecting the refresh iteration of the 14th Gen Core i9 series. Both use the Intel Socket 1700 platform and support dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

The core configurations differ in total core count but match in thread count. The 120HL provides 12 cores and 16 threads, a configuration that implies some cores do not carry Hyper-Threading. The i9-14901KE provides 8 cores and 16 threads, which aligns with a fully threaded design where every core adds two threads. The i9's die size is recorded at 257 mm²; no die size is listed for the 120HL.

Cache hierarchy is identical at the L1 and L2 levels, with 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core on both processors. The shared L3 differs substantially: 18 MB on the 120HL versus 36 MB on the i9-14901KE. This means the i9 offers double the last-level cache while using fewer physical cores, giving each core a larger average share of the shared pool.

PCIe capabilities split by generation and lane count. The 120HL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the i9-14901KE supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. This gives the i9 both a newer interconnect standard and double the lane count for expansion devices. Integrated graphics differ as well: the 120HL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, and the i9 uses UHD Graphics 770.

Power delivery requirements diverge significantly. The 120HL is rated at 45 W TDP, while the i9-14901KE is rated at 125 W TDP. The i9 also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the 120HL is locked. ECC memory support is present on the i9 but absent on the 120HL. Both parts are listed as Active in production status, and both were released in 2024, with the 120HL dated April 7, 2024, and the i9 dated June 30, 2024.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

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

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE boosts to 5.80 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120HL boosts to 4.70 GHz. That is a 1.10 GHz difference in favor of the i9.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. However, the i9-14901KE adds ECC memory support, which the Core 5 120HL does not offer.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

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

Q: Are both CPUs on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700. They also share the same Raptor Lake architecture and are built on Intel's 10 nm process node.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120HL is rated at 45 W TDP. The Intel Core i9-14901KE is rated at 125 W TDP.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

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

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

| Die Size | Not listed | 257 mm² |

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

| ECC Memory | Not supported | Supported |

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

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

| Launch MSRP | $279 | Not listed |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRPFR | Q49DSRNJC |

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

The remaining specifications are identical between the two processors. Both use the Intel Socket 1700, Raptor Lake architecture, Intel's 10 nm process node, Intel as the foundry, 80 KB L1 cache per core, 2 MB L2 cache per core, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, and the Desktop market segment. Both are listed as Active in production status. The 120HL holds a 50th percentile ranking in the global database, and the i9-14901KE also holds a 50th percentile ranking; their average benchmark scores are both zero, and neither has recorded head-to-head wins.