Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a one-sided comparison. Across all 17 recorded tests, the Intel Core i5-14490F finishes ahead of the Intel Core 5 120U. The most decisive margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-14490F scores 23000 against 6659 for the Core 5 120U, a 71% advantage. This gap reflects the desktop processor's ability to sustain heavy multi-threaded workloads far beyond what the mobile chip can deliver.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the margins are tighter. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-14490F leads by 45.9%, scoring 3247 versus 1756.5. The PassMark single-thread test shows the smallest difference of any benchmark, with the i5-14490F ahead by only 10.2% (3873 versus 3479). This indicates that the mobile chip's boost behavior is competitive in lightly threaded tasks, but the gap widens considerably as workload intensity grows.

The Cinebench R15 and R20 runs follow the same pattern. In R15 multi-core, the i5-14490F scores 2318 against 1150.5, a 50.4% lead. The R20 multi-core result shows a 44.6% advantage (9660 versus 5349). Interestingly, the R20 single-core delta matches the multi-core delta exactly at 44.6%, with scores of 1363 and 755. The R15 single-core gap is smaller at 25.1%, with the i5-14490F scoring 327 versus 245.

PassMark workloads reinforce the desktop chip's dominance. Data compression favors the i5-14490F by 51.1%, with scores of 340026 and 166432. Extended instructions show a 57.2% gap (21731 versus 9299), while physics performance is 55.2% higher on the i5-14490F (2093 versus 937). Floating point math delivers 66558 against 36026, a 45.9% difference. Integer math is 40.5% higher at 87844 versus 52280. Random string sorting shows a 46.5% margin (35608 versus 19060), and data encryption lands at 42.6% (18225 versus 10453). The find prime numbers test reveals a 56.6% gap, with the i5-14490F scoring 122 against 53.

The average benchmark score for the i5-14490F is 38149, placing it at the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 5 120U averages 17898, which puts it at the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip confirm their respective tiers. The i5-14490F sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T, the Intel Core i5-13600KF, the AMD Ryzen 7 250, and the Intel Core i5-13600HX. The Core 5 120U is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0% delta), within 0.2% of the Intel Core 5 221TE, and within 0.7% of the Intel Core 7 350.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's Raptor Lake architecture and are built on the same 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The similarities end there. The Core 5 120U carries the Raptor Lake-U codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation, while the i5-14490F is part of the Raptor Lake Refresh family under the Core 14th Gen series. The mobile chip uses the Raptor Lake-U variant, and the desktop chip uses the Raptor Lake-R variant.

Core and thread counts are close but not identical. Both have 10 physical cores, but the i5-14490F supports 16 threads against 12 for the Core 5 120U. The extra threads come from a different core configuration, which directly contributes to the large multi-threaded performance gap. The base clock differs significantly: the Core 5 120U runs at 1.40 GHz, while the i5-14490F starts at 2.50 GHz. Both reach the same 5.00 GHz boost clock, which explains why single-thread scores are closer than multi-thread scores.

Cache allocation is another key divider. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, and L2 is the same at 1.25 MB per core. The shared L3 cache, however, doubles from 12 MB on the Core 5 120U to 24 MB on the i5-14490F. That extra L3 capacity helps the desktop chip keep more working data close to the cores, which benefits sustained workloads.

The socket and platform targets are completely different. The Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile socket, while the i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop builds. This difference dictates the market segment: the Core 5 120U is a mobile processor, and the i5-14490F is a desktop processor. The desktop chip also has a larger die at 215 mm², though the mobile chip's die size is not recorded.

PCIe support separates the two as well. The Core 5 120U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-14490F offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. That gives the desktop chip twice the lane count and a newer generation for high-bandwidth peripherals. Integrated graphics are present on the Core 5 120U in the form of Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, which is typical for the F-series desktop parts.

Memory support is the same on paper: both accept DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. Neither supports ECC memory. The TDP figures differ substantially, with the mobile chip rated at 15 W and the desktop chip at 65 W. That power envelope difference explains much of the performance spread. The release dates are close, with the i5-14490F appearing on 2023-12-31 and the Core 5 120U on 2024-01-07. Both are currently active in production. The Core 5 120U uses the SRM7P part number, and the i5-14490F uses SRN35. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F has 16 threads versus 12 for the Intel Core 5 120U, even though both have 10 cores.

Q: Do both processors reach the same boost clock?

A: Yes, both are rated for a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The base clocks differ, with the i5-14490F at 2.50 GHz and the Core 5 120U at 1.40 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i5-14490F has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 12 MB found on the Core 5 120U. L1 and L2 cache are identical at 80 KB per core and 1.25 MB per core respectively.

Q: Does the Core 5 120U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The i5-14490F has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: What is the performance gap in the heaviest multi-threaded test?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-14490F scores 23000 against 6659 for the Core 5 120U, which is a 71% advantage for the desktop chip.

Q: Which processor has the higher percentile ranking?

A: The i5-14490F sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 120U sits at the 72nd percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 38149 and 17898 respectively.

The Verdict

The data makes the choice straightforward for most scenarios. The Intel Core i5-14490F wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with margins ranging from 10.2% in PassMark single-thread to 71% in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its average benchmark score of 38149 is more than double the 17898 average of the Core 5 120U. The percentile rankings reinforce this, with the i5-14490F at 86% versus 72% for the mobile chip.

The Core 5 120U has no benchmark wins to point to. Its closest showing is in single-thread workloads, where the 10.2% gap in PassMark single-thread suggests its 5.00 GHz boost clock keeps it within striking distance in lightly threaded tasks. But even that advantage for the i5-14490F is consistent across every recorded test.

For desktop builders, the i5-14490F is the clear pick based on raw performance. It delivers roughly double the multi-threaded throughput of the Core 5 120U, which matters for rendering, compilation, and other parallel workloads. The single-thread results also favor the desktop chip, so there is no workload category where the Core 5 120U comes out ahead.

The Core 5 120U makes sense only in its intended mobile context. Its 15 W TDP and BGA 1744 socket are designed for laptops and compact portable systems, not for desktop replacement duties. The i5-14490F, with its 65 W TDP and Socket 1700, is a desktop part through and through. Users who need a socketed, upgradeable platform with strong multi-core performance should choose the i5-14490F. Users who require an integrated GPU and low power consumption in a mobile form factor must use the Core 5 120U, accepting the significant performance compromise.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120U | Intel Core i5-14490F |

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

| Series | None | Core 14th Gen |

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

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

| Core Count | 10 | 10 |

| Thread Count | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 215 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | N/A |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2023-12-31 |

| Part Number | SRM7P | SRN35 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| ECC Memory | No | No |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

Both chips share the same L1 cache (80 KB per core) and L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), so those fields are omitted from the table above.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins in every measurable category from the recorded data. It dominates multi-threaded workloads such as Cinebench R23 multi-core, where its 23000 score represents a 71% lead over the Core 5 120U's 6659. This makes it the appropriate choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and any other task that can use 16 threads and a 24 MB L3 cache. The desktop chip also leads in data compression (340026 versus 166432), integer math (87844 versus 52280), and floating point math (66558 versus 36026), which covers a broad range of scientific and productivity applications.

The i5-14490F also wins in single-thread performance, though by a smaller margin. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3873 is 10.2% ahead of the Core 5 120U's 3479. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the lead is 45.9% (3247 versus 1756.5). This means the desktop chip is faster even in lightly threaded applications like web browsing, office productivity, and older games that rely on one or two cores.

The Core 5 120U has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its strengths are contextual rather than performance-based. The 15 W TDP makes it suitable for fanless or low-power mobile designs where the i5-14490F's 65 W TDP would be impractical. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units provides display output without a discrete GPU, which is essential for laptops. The BGA 1744 socket and mobile market segment confirm it is built for portability, not raw throughput.

For use cases that prioritize battery life, compact form factors, and integrated display capabilities, the Core 5 120U is the only viable option between the two because the i5-14490F cannot be installed in such systems. For any desktop workload where performance is the primary metric, the i5-14490F is the winner across all 17 head-to-head tests, with an average benchmark score of 38149 that doubles the Core 5 120U's 17898. The choice depends entirely on form factor and power constraints, not on benchmark results.