Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i5-14401TE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly along workload type, and the two processors occupy very different positions despite sharing the Raptor Lake architecture. The Intel Core 5 120U is the clear winner in every recorded multi-threaded test, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE has no recorded benchmark scores at all in the database, meaning its wins cannot be quantified directly from measured results.

The Core 5 120U delivers a 1150.5 score in Cinebench R15 multi-core, a 5349 score in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and a 6659 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core. These are substantial numbers for a processor with a 15 watt TDP, indicating the hybrid core configuration is doing meaningful work under sustained load. The single-core scores are equally strong: 245 in Cinebench R15, 755 in Cinebench R20, and 1756.5 in Cinebench R23. That single-core performance places it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The Core i5-14401TE, by contrast, has an empty benchmark array and a 50th percentile rating. The database records no average benchmark score for it, no wins in any head-to-head test, and no rival comparisons. This makes a purely data-driven comparison asymmetrical: the Core 5 120U has measurable wins across every benchmark category, while the Core i5-14401TE exists only as a specification entry.

What the data implies is that the Core 5 120U is the only one of the two with verified performance records, and its wins span integer math, floating point math, encryption, compression, and physics simulations. The Passmark integer math score of 52280, floating point score of 36026, and data encryption score of 10453 all point to a processor that handles diverse compute tasks with consistent output. The Core i5-14401TE may have theoretical advantages from its specification sheet, but the database contains no measured evidence of those advantages.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's Raptor Lake architecture and a 10 nm process node from Intel's own foundry, but they diverge sharply in core topology and platform positioning. The Core 5 120U is a Raptor Lake-U part with 10 cores and 12 threads, a hybrid configuration typical of mobile processors. The Core i5-14401TE is a Raptor Lake-R part with 6 cores and 12 threads, a desktop-oriented design that uses hyper-threading to reach the same thread count from fewer physical cores.

The cache hierarchy shows a meaningful difference in shared resources. The Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i5-14401TE has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, so the L3 delta is the primary cache advantage for the desktop part. That 8 MB difference could matter in workloads with large working sets, though no benchmark data confirms it.

The sockets are entirely different: the Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile socket, while the Core i5-14401TE uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The mobile part is not upgradeable, while the desktop part fits into standard LGA 1700 motherboards. The Core i5-14401TE also has a 215 mm² die size, a figure not recorded for the Core 5 120U.

Memory support is shared: both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. ECC memory support differs, with the Core i5-14401TE supporting ECC and the Core 5 120U not. PCIe connectivity also diverges: the Core 5 120U offers Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Core i5-14401TE offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. That doubles the lane count and moves to a newer generation, which matters for desktop expansion cards and high-speed storage.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 120U carries Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, a capable integrated solution for a mobile part. The Core i5-14401TE uses UHD Graphics 730, a more modest desktop integrated GPU. The mobile part's graphics hardware is significantly more robust in execution unit count.

The clock speeds tell a story of different design goals. The Core 5 120U has a 1.40 GHz base clock and a 5.00 GHz boost clock, with a 15 watt TDP. The Core i5-14401TE has a 2.00 GHz base clock and a 4.50 GHz boost clock, with a 45 watt TDP. The mobile part boosts higher but starts lower, while the desktop part maintains a higher base frequency at triple the power envelope.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records no head-to-head benchmark results between these two processors, and the wins count is zero for both. This is a notable gap: the Core 5 120U has an extensive benchmark suite, while the Core i5-14401TE has none. The absence of direct comparison data means the analysis relies on the Core 5 120U's absolute scores and the Core i5-14401TE's specification sheet.

Looking at the Core 5 120U's recorded performance, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6659 sits well above the R15 score of 1150.5, showing scaling across Cinebench versions. The Geekbench scores of 5888 multi-core and 1727 single-core reinforce the multi-threaded strength. The Passmark suite adds granularity: data compression at 166432, random string sorting at 19060, and extended instructions at 9299 all indicate strong throughput in specialized tasks.

The Core 5 120U's nearest rivals in the database are instructive. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT has an average score of 17891, a 0% delta from the Core 5 120U's 17898 average. The Intel Core 5 221TE scores 17860, a 0.2% delta. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17994, a -0.5% delta. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17779, a 0.7% delta. These are all extremely close margins, placing the Core 5 120U in a tight performance cluster with older desktop parts despite its mobile positioning.

The data suggests the Core 5 120U is competitive with desktop processors from a few generations back, which is notable for a 15 watt mobile chip. The Ryzen 5 3600XT comparison is particularly telling: a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor from AMD matches the Core 5 120U's average score almost exactly. The Core 5 120U achieves this with 10 cores and a much lower power envelope.

For the Core i5-14401TE, the lack of benchmark data means no such comparisons exist. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with a 45 watt TDP and 4.50 GHz boost clock suggests it should perform competitively in multi-threaded workloads, but the database does not confirm this. The specification sheet shows a higher base clock and larger L3 cache, but without measurements, those advantages remain theoretical.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads. Both support 12 threads, but the Core 5 120U uses more physical cores.

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

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The desktop part holds an 8 MB advantage in shared cache.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-14401TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120U does not. This makes the desktop part suitable for memory-sensitive applications.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE boosts to 4.50 GHz. The mobile part has a 500 MHz higher boost clock despite its lower base clock of 1.40 GHz versus 2.00 GHz.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The desktop part supports twice the lanes at a newer generation.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401TE has a 45 watt TDP, while the Intel Core 5 120U has a 15 watt TDP. The desktop part consumes three times the power budget.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload and platform. The Intel Core 5 120U is the only one of the two with recorded benchmark performance, and its scores are strong across the board. Its 72nd percentile rating among all CPUs, combined with a 17898 average benchmark score, places it in a competitive position. The nearest rival data shows it trading blows with desktop parts like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the Intel Core 5 221TE, with deltas under 1% in all cases. For mobile workloads, this is compelling evidence of capable multi-threaded and single-threaded performance in a 15 watt envelope.

The Intel Core i5-14401TE has no benchmark data, no percentile-based performance rating beyond the 50th percentile baseline, and no rival comparisons. Its specification sheet suggests a different use case: a desktop processor with ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, and a 45 watt TDP. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with a 2.00 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost clock indicates a processor designed for sustained desktop workloads rather than mobile efficiency. The 20 MB L3 cache and larger die size of 215 mm² point to a more expansive memory hierarchy.

The verdict from the data is that the Core 5 120U wins on measured performance and efficiency, while the Core i5-14401TE wins on platform features. The mobile part has verified scores across Cinebench, Geekbench, and Passmark suites, making it the safer choice for workloads where performance is known and documented. The desktop part offers ECC support, more PCIe lanes, and a newer PCIe generation, which matter for specific professional and server-like applications. The absence of benchmark data for the Core i5-14401TE means its performance claims cannot be validated from the database, leaving the Core 5 120U as the only one with empirical support.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded fields:

| Field | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core i5-14401TE |

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

| Series | null | Core 14th Gen |

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) | Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Die Size | null | 215 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 20 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 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2024-06-30 |

| Part Number | SRM7P | Q4T4SRNJP |

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture, Intel's 10 nm process node, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 80 KB L1 cache per core, and 1.25 MB L2 cache per core. Both are active production parts, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither has a recorded launch MSRP.