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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database records 17 direct comparisons between the Intel Core 5 120U and the Intel Core i7-14701TE. The i7-14701TE dominates with 14 wins, while the Core 5 120U takes 3. The largest margin belongs to the i7-14701TE in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 17035 against 6659, a delta of -60.9%. That is more than two and a half times the output. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i7-14701TE posts 1716 versus 1150.5, a 33% gap. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 7154 against 5349, a 25.2% difference.

The i7-14701TE also wins in PassMark physics with 1860 versus 937, a 49.6% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers shows 143 versus 53, a 62.9% delta. PassMark extended instructions favors the i7-14701TE at 14354 versus 9299, a 35.2% gap. PassMark floating point math scores 50219 versus 36026, a 28.3% lead. PassMark data compression records 220520 versus 166432, a 24.5% margin. PassMark multithread lands at 20042 versus 15042, a 24.9% difference. PassMark integer math shows 65792 versus 52280, a 20.5% gap. PassMark random string sorting gives 22760 versus 19060, a 16.3% edge. PassMark data encryption shows 11699 versus 10453, a 10.7% difference.

The Core 5 120U wins in single-threaded tests. PassMark single thread scores 3479 versus 2637, a 31.9% advantage. The identical PassMark singlethread test confirms the same numbers. Cinebench R15 singlecore is close, with the Core 5 120U at 245 versus 242, a 1.2% margin. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the i7-14701TE takes the win at 1010 versus 755, a 25.2% delta. Cinebench R23 singlecore also favors the i7-14701TE at 2405 versus 1756.5, a 27% gap.

Looking at overall averages, the i7-14701TE has an average benchmark score of 26013, while the Core 5 120U sits at 17898. The i7-14701TE ranks in the 78th percentile of all CPUs, the Core 5 120U in the 72nd. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 120U include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891 (0% delta), the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17860 (0.2% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (-0.5% delta), and the Intel Core 7 350 at 17779 (0.7% delta). For the i7-14701TE, the nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 at 25981 (0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS at 26106 (-0.4% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE at 25880 (0.5% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 8540U at 26187 (-0.7% delta).

Where Each One Wins

The i7-14701TE wins in every multicore rendering workload recorded. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore all show substantial leads, with the R23 delta reaching 60.9%. This indicates strong sustained performance across threaded workloads. The PassMark suite reinforces this: compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting all go to the i7-14701TE. The physics test is especially telling, with a 49.6% gap, suggesting the i7-14701TE handles simulation-style loads far better.

The Core 5 120U wins in single-threaded PassMark performance, with a 31.9% lead. That is a decisive margin for tasks that rely on a single core. The Cinebench R15 singlecore result also goes to the Core 5 120U, though narrowly at 1.2%. The i7-14701TE takes the other two singlecore tests, R20 and R23, with 25.2% and 27% margins respectively. So the single-thread picture is mixed: the Core 5 120U leads in PassMark single thread, but the i7-14701TE leads in the newer Cinebench singlecore versions.

For use-case splitting, the data suggests the i7-14701TE is the choice for heavily threaded applications, video encoding, physics simulations, and data processing. The Core 5 120U holds an edge in lighter single-threaded tasks, particularly those that scale with PassMark single-thread performance. The Core 5 120U also has a lower TDP of 15 versus 45, and the database records it as a mobile segment part, while the i7-14701TE is desktop. That difference alone points to different usage environments, with the Core 5 120U suited to portable systems and the i7-14701TE to stationary desktops.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's Raptor Lake architecture and are fabricated on the same 10 nm process node at Intel. The Core 5 120U carries the Raptor Lake-U codename, while the i7-14701TE uses Raptor Lake-R, part of the Core 14th Gen series with a Raptor Lake Refresh generation label. The Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-14701TE has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite fewer cores, the i7-14701TE's higher thread count and larger cache help explain its multicore dominance.

Cache configurations differ notably. The Core 5 120U has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The i7-14701TE also has 80 KB of L1 per core, but doubles L2 to 2 MB per core and offers 33 MB of shared L3. That larger L3 cache likely contributes to the i7-14701TE's strength in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption.

Clock speeds also separate the two. The Core 5 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The i7-14701TE starts higher at 2.10 GHz base and boosts to 5.20 GHz. The i7-14701TE has a TDP of 45, while the Core 5 120U is rated at 15. The i7-14701TE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core 5 120U uses Intel BGA 1744. The die size for the i7-14701TE is 257 mm², while the Core 5 120U does not have a recorded die size.

Memory support is identical in type, with both supporting DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. ECC memory is available on the i7-14701TE but not on the Core 5 120U. PCIe connectivity differs significantly: the i7-14701TE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 120U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with the Core 5 120U using Iris Xe Graphics 80EU and the i7-14701TE using UHD Graphics 770.

Release dates show the Core 5 120U launched in January 2024, while the i7-14701TE arrived in June 2024. Both are Active in production status. The Core 5 120U part number is SRM7P, while the i7-14701TE part number is Q49GSRNJL. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP. Both have locked multipliers, meaning no overclocking via multiplier adjustment.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the Intel Core i7-14701TE as the stronger processor in the majority of benchmarks, winning 14 of 17 direct comparisons. Its multicore results are consistently ahead, with Cinebench R23 multicore showing a 60.9% lead and PassMark physics a 49.6% lead. The i7-14701TE also holds advantages in singlecore Cinebench R20 and R23, with 25.2% and 27% margins respectively. Its average benchmark score of 26013 sits in the 78th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Core 5 120U's 17898 and 72nd percentile.

The Intel Core 5 120U wins in PassMark single thread with a 31.9% margin and narrowly in Cinebench R15 singlecore. That makes it the better option for workloads that depend on single-core PassMark performance. Its 15 TDP and mobile market segment also indicate suitability for portable devices where power draw matters. The i7-14701TE, with a 45 TDP and desktop segment, targets static systems that can supply more power.

For a desktop user who runs threaded applications, rendering, or physics simulations, the i7-14701TE is the clear pick from the data. For a mobile user prioritizing single-threaded tasks and lower power consumption, the Core 5 120U holds the advantage. The i7-14701TE also offers ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, which the Core 5 120U lacks. The Core 5 120U uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Both use the same 10 nm process and Raptor Lake architecture, but the i7-14701TE has more L3 cache and a higher thread count, which the benchmark results confirm as decisive.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i7-14701TE has 8 cores. However, the i7-14701TE has 16 threads versus 12 for the Core 5 120U.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the i7-14701TE scores 17035 against 6659, a 60.9% difference. PassMark find prime numbers also shows a 62.9% gap, with 143 versus 53.

Q: Does the Core 5 120U win any tests?

A: Yes, it wins 3 tests: PassMark single thread (3479 versus 2637, a 31.9% lead), the duplicate PassMark singlethread test, and Cinebench R15 singlecore (245 versus 242, a 1.2% margin).

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Core 5 120U has a TDP of 15, while the i7-14701TE has a TDP of 45. The i7-14701TE also has a higher base clock of 2.10 GHz versus 1.40 GHz for the Core 5 120U.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, only the i7-14701TE supports ECC memory. The Core 5 120U does not have ECC support. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-14701TE has an average benchmark score of 26013, placing it in the 78th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 120U has an average score of 17898, placing it in the 72nd percentile.