Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i5-14501TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i5-14501TE has 6 cores.

Q: Do both processors share the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture. The Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake-U codename, and the Core i5-14501TE uses the Raptor Lake-R codename.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-14501TE boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120U boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-14501TE supports ECC memory. The Core 5 120U does not.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-14501TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 12 MB shared L3 cache on the Core 5 120U.

Q: What PCIe generation does each processor use?

A: The Core 5 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Core i5-14501TE uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Architecture Differences

The two processors both use Intel's 10 nm process node and share the Raptor Lake architecture, but their implementations diverge significantly in packaging, market positioning, and feature sets. The Intel Core 5 120U is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1744 socket with a 15 W TDP, designed for compact and power-constrained systems. The Intel Core i5-14501TE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a 45 W TDP, targeting conventional desktop platforms that can supply more power and cooling.

The core topology differs sharply. The Core 5 120U packs 10 cores and 12 threads, suggesting a hybrid arrangement where not all cores contribute equally to threading. The Core i5-14501TE has 6 cores and 12 threads, meaning every core supports two threads. This structural difference influences how workloads scale: the 120U can deploy more physical cores, while the 14501TE relies on symmetric simultaneous multithreading across its six cores.

Cache hierarchies start identically at the lower levels but diverge at L3. Both processors allocate 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is 12 MB on the Core 5 120U and 24 MB on the Core i5-14501TE. The larger L3 pool on the desktop part gives it more room to hold frequently accessed data across all cores, which can benefit workloads with large working sets.

Memory support is similar in type and channel count: both accept DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configurations. The 14501TE adds ECC memory support, a feature absent on the 120U, which matters for reliability-sensitive applications. PCIe connectivity also differs: the mobile part offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes, while the desktop part offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, providing double the lane count and a newer generation for high-throughput peripherals.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Core i5-14501TE uses UHD Graphics 770. The production status for both is Active. The 120U launched on January 7, 2024, and the 14501TE launched on June 30, 2024. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear split between mobile efficiency and desktop capacity. The Intel Core 5 120U, with its 10 cores, 12 MB L3 cache, and 15 W TDP, is positioned for systems where power draw and thermal output are primary constraints. Its benchmark scores, which place it at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, show it can deliver competitive multi-threaded throughput despite its low TDP. The Intel Core i5-14501TE has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so its average benchmark score is zero and its percentile rank is 50. This absence of measured data makes direct performance comparison impossible from the records.

The Core i5-14501TE is the choice when desktop platform features matter: 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, ECC memory support, and a 24 MB L3 cache. These are architectural advantages that the 120U cannot match regardless of core count. The 120U is the choice when the physical platform is a mobile or low-power system, as its BGA 1744 socket and 15 W TDP fit that form factor, while the 14501TE requires a Socket 1700 desktop board and 45 W power delivery.

Benchmark results for the 120U show its nearest rivals in average score include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891, the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17860, the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994, and the Intel Core 7 350 at 17779. The 120U sits within 0.7 percent of these parts, indicating it clusters tightly with mid-range desktop and mobile processors from previous generations. For the 14501TE, no rival data exists, so its competitive position remains unquantified.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. Core count: 10 on the 120U versus 6 on the 14501TE. Thread count is identical at 12. Base clock: 1.40 GHz on the 120U versus 2.20 GHz on the 14501TE. Boost clock: 5.00 GHz versus 5.10 GHz. TDP: 15 W versus 45 W.

Socket: Intel BGA 1744 on the 120U versus Intel Socket 1700 on the 14501TE. Codename: Raptor Lake-U versus Raptor Lake-R. Generation: Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) versus Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh). Process node is the same at 10 nm, and both are fabricated by Intel. Die size is not recorded for the 120U, while the 14501TE has a die size of 215 mm².

L3 cache: 12 MB shared on the 120U versus 24 MB shared on the 14501TE. ECC memory: false on the 120U, true on the 14501TE. PCIe: Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the 120U versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the 14501TE. Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the 120U versus UHD Graphics 770 on the 14501TE. Market segment: Mobile versus Desktop. Release date: January 7, 2024 versus June 30, 2024. Part number: SRM7P versus Q49KSRNJN.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table in the database is empty for these two processors, and the wins count for each is zero. The Core i5-14501TE has no benchmark entries at all, meaning its performance profile is entirely unrecorded. This is a critical gap: any comparison of measured performance must rely solely on the Core 5 120U's individual benchmark results.

For the Core 5 120U, the recorded data shows a processor that performs well in multi-threaded workloads relative to its power class. In Cinebench R23, it scores 6659 multi-core and 1756.5 single-core. In Geekbench, it scores 5888 multi-core and 1727 single-core. PassMark results include a multi-thread score of 15042, a single-thread score of 3479, integer math at 52280, floating point math at 36026, and extended instructions at 9299. Data encryption scores 10453, data compression scores 166432, random string sorting scores 19060, physics scores 937, and finding prime numbers scores 53.

The 120U's average benchmark score is 17898, placing it at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals by average score are the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891 (0 percent delta), the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17860 (0.2 percent delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (-0.5 percent delta), and the Intel Core 7 350 at 17779 (0.7 percent delta). These deltas are all within a single percentage point, indicating that the 120U delivers performance essentially on par with those four processors in aggregate benchmark scoring.

Without benchmark data for the 14501TE, no head-to-head wins can be assigned. The absence of scores does not imply the 14501TE is faster or slower; it simply means the database has no measurements to analyze. Any claim about relative performance between these two specific parts would be unsupported by the records.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120U wins in situations where its recorded benchmark scores indicate competence and where its specifications align with the workload. Its 10-core, 12-thread configuration with a 5.00 GHz boost clock allows it to handle multi-threaded tasks effectively, as shown by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6659 and its PassMark multi-thread score of 15042. Its 72nd percentile ranking and proximity to processors like the Ryzen 5 3600XT and Core 7 350 in average score suggest it can compete with established mid-range parts. Its 15 W TDP makes it the only sensible choice for mobile or ultra-compact systems, as the 14501TE cannot fit that power envelope.

The Intel Core i5-14501TE wins in every category where the database records a specification advantage but no benchmark counterpoint. It offers 24 MB of L3 cache versus 12 MB, 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 8 Gen 4 lanes, ECC memory support versus none, a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus 1.40 GHz, and a slightly higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. It also carries a larger die at 215 mm², which typically indicates more on-die resources. For workloads that stress memory bandwidth, PCIe throughput, or require ECC for data integrity, the 14501TE is the part to select based on its feature set alone.

The desktop form factor of the 14501TE also dictates its wins in platform-level scenarios. Socket 1700 motherboards provide more expansion and power delivery options than BGA 1744 mobile boards. The 45 W TDP, while higher, enables sustained operation in desktop cooling environments. The 120U, by contrast, wins in scenarios where low power consumption and mobile integration are non-negotiable, and its benchmark data confirms it does not sacrifice all performance to achieve that efficiency. The database shows no measured wins for either part in direct comparison, so the practical decision rests on platform requirements and the recorded specifications of each processor.