Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i7-14701E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive victory for the Intel Core i7-14701E across every single recorded test. The Core 5 120U does not win a single head-to-head comparison, with the i7-14701E taking all 17 benchmark wins. The margins are substantial, and the pattern is consistent regardless of workload type.

In multi-core rendering, the gap is largest. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the i7-14701E scoring 22195 against 6659 for the Core 5 120U, a delta of -70%. That is more than three times the output of the mobile chip. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result follows the same trend, with the i7-14701E at 2237 versus 1150.5, a -48.6% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 9321 against 5349, a -42.6% difference.

Single-core performance also favors the desktop part, though by smaller margins. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3133 versus 1756.5, a -43.9% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core is 1315 against 755, also -42.6%. The smallest single-core gap appears in PassMark single-thread, where the i7-14701E scores 4305 and the Core 5 120U scores 3479, a -19.2% delta. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows 315 versus 245, a -22.2% gap.

The PassMark suite reveals where the i7-14701E pulls ahead most strongly. In find prime numbers, the i7-14701E scores 176 against just 53 for the Core 5 120U, a -69.9% delta. Physics testing shows 2399 versus 937, a -60.9% gap. Extended instructions show 18528 against 9299, a -49.8% delta. Data compression shows 282939 versus 166432, a -41.2% difference. Floating point math shows 61873 versus 36026, a -41.8% gap. Integer math shows 81325 against 52280, a -35.7% delta. Random string sorting shows 29158 versus 19060, a -34.6% gap. Data encryption shows 14862 against 10453, a -29.7% delta.

The average benchmark score for the i7-14701E is 33206, placing it at the 83rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 5 120U averages 17898, at the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the i7-14701E include the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H (33201, 0% delta), AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS (33244, -0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX (33091, 0.3%), and Intel Core i7-13650HX (33089, 0.4%). The Core 5 120U sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, 0% delta), Intel Core 5 221TE (17860, 0.2%), AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17994, -0.5%), and Intel Core 7 350 (17779, 0.7%).

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Raptor Lake architecture and are built on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The codenames differ: the Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake-U, while the i7-14701E uses Raptor Lake-R, indicating a refresh of the desktop line.

The core configurations are notably different. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads. The desktop part has fewer physical cores but more threads, which reflects a different mix of performance and efficiency cores.

Cache allocation differs significantly. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the Core 5 120U, while the i7-14701E has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the mobile chip, versus 33 MB shared on the desktop chip.

Clock speeds tell the story of their intended roles. The Core 5 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The i7-14701E has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The desktop part runs higher at both ends of the frequency range.

The power envelope is drastically different. The Core 5 120U has a TDP of 15, while the i7-14701E has a TDP of 65. This explains the performance gap in sustained workloads, as the desktop chip has far more thermal headroom.

Memory support is identical in type, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel memory bus. The i7-14701E adds ECC memory support, which the Core 5 120U lacks. This makes the desktop chip suitable for error-checking workloads.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 5 120U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The i7-14701E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The desktop part offers twice the lane count and a newer generation.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the i7-14701E uses UHD Graphics 770.

The sockets are incompatible. The Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile socket. The i7-14701E uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. This means they cannot be interchanged in the same motherboard.

The die size for the i7-14701E is 257 mm². No die size is recorded for the Core 5 120U.

Release dates differ by about six months. The Core 5 120U was released on 2024-01-07, while the i7-14701E was released on 2024-06-30. Both are listed as Active in production status.

The Verdict

The data tells a clear story: the Intel Core i7-14701E is the far stronger processor in every measurable way. Its 83rd percentile ranking versus the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 120U confirms its higher standing in the database. The average benchmark score of 33206 versus 17898 is roughly an 85% advantage, though the specific deltas vary by workload.

The i7-14701E should be the choice for anyone building a desktop system that prioritizes compute throughput. Its wins span rendering, physics, encryption, compression, and general multi-threaded work. The 70% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the standout result, indicating a processor that can handle demanding content creation tasks with far greater speed.

The Core 5 120U is a mobile part with a 15 TDP, designed for battery-conscious laptops. Its lower base clock of 1.40 GHz and smaller L3 cache of 12 MB reflect its efficiency focus. It is not competitive with the i7-14701E in raw performance, but its role is different.

The socket difference alone makes the choice straightforward for most builders. A BGA 1744 part cannot go into a Socket 1700 motherboard. If the platform requires a desktop socket, the i7-14701E is the only option of the two. If the platform is a laptop, the i7-14701E is not physically installable.

ECC memory support on the i7-14701E adds another reason to select it for workstation or server-adjacent builds. The Core 5 120U lacks this feature entirely.

The i7-14701E also offers better platform expansion with Gen 5 PCIe and 16 lanes. The Core 5 120U is limited to Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: Core 5 120U has 10, i7-14701E has 8
• Threads: Core 5 120U has 12, i7-14701E has 16
• Base clock: 1.40 GHz versus 2.60 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.00 GHz versus 5.40 GHz
• TDP: 15 versus 65
• Socket: Intel BGA 1744 versus Intel Socket 1700
• Codename: Raptor Lake-U versus Raptor Lake-R
• Generation: Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) versus Core i7 (Raptor Lake Refresh)
• Die size: not recorded versus 257 mm²
• L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core versus 2 MB per core
• L3 cache: 12 MB shared versus 33 MB shared
• ECC memory: false versus true
• PCIe: Gen 4, 8 lanes versus Gen 5, 16 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU versus UHD Graphics 770
• Market segment: Mobile versus Desktop
• Release date: 2024-01-07 versus 2024-06-30
• Part number: SRM7P versus Q49FSRNJK

Identical specifications include the L1 cache at 80 KB per core, memory support for DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel memory bus, process node at 10 nm, and Intel as the manufacturer and foundry.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Core 5 120U has 10 cores, while the i7-14701E has 8 cores. However, the i7-14701E has more threads at 16 versus 12.

Q: Is the i7-14701E faster in single-core performance?

A: Yes. The i7-14701E wins every single-core test, with the smallest margin being -19.2% in PassMark single-thread and the largest being -43.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core.

Q: Can the Core 5 120U be installed in a desktop motherboard?

A: No. The Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744, which is a soldered mobile socket. The i7-14701E uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop motherboards.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the i7-14701E supports ECC memory. The Core 5 120U does not have this capability.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7-14701E scores 22195 versus 6659, a delta of -70%. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows a similar -69.9% gap.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-14701E has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Core 5 120U boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14701E wins in every recorded benchmark category. There is no test in the database where the Core 5 120U comes out ahead. The desktop chip's advantages are most pronounced in multi-threaded workloads, where its higher TDP of 65 and larger L3 cache of 33 MB allow sustained performance.

For Cinebench rendering, the i7-14701E delivers massive leads. The R23 multi-core score of 22195 is 70% ahead of the Core 5 120U's 6659. Anyone doing 3D rendering, video encoding, or other CPU-heavy creative work should look at the i7-14701E.

PassMark physics testing shows a 60.9% gap, indicating the i7-14701E handles simulation and physics calculations far better. The find prime numbers test shows a 69.9% gap, relevant for mathematical and cryptographic workloads.

The i7-14701E also leads in memory-intensive tasks. Data compression shows a 41.2% gap, and random string sorting shows a 34.6% gap. Data encryption is 29.7% ahead. These gains come from the combination of more threads, higher clocks, and the 33 MB L3 cache.

The Core 5 120U's role is defined by its mobile segment and 15 TDP. It is designed for laptops where power draw is the primary constraint. Its 10 cores and 12 threads provide reasonable throughput for a mobile chip, and its boost clock of 5.00 GHz is respectable for the class. However, the database shows no scenario where it outperforms the i7-14701E.

For a desktop builder, the choice is clear. The i7-14701E offers Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, ECC memory support, and a 83rd percentile ranking. The Core 5 120U is a laptop part that cannot be used in a desktop socket and trails in every measured test.

The only reason to select the Core 5 120U is if the target system is a mobile device with the BGA 1744 socket. In that context, it is a capable processor for thin-and-light laptops. But against the i7-14701E, the data shows no competition.