Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i9-14901TE Comparison
Intel Core 5 120U
Core i9-14901TE
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core i9-14901TE
FAQ
Q: How do the core and thread counts compare between the Intel Core 5 120U and the Intel Core i9-14901TE?
A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901TE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i9-14901TE offers more threads despite having fewer physical cores.
Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?
A: The Intel Core i9-14901TE boosts to 5.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core 5 120U's boost of 5.00 GHz.
Q: What process node are both processors built on?
A: Both the Intel Core 5 120U and the Intel Core i9-14901TE are built on Intel's 10 nm process node.
Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?
A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. However, the Intel Core i9-14901TE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120U does not.
Q: What is the difference in thermal design power (TDP) between the two?
A: The Intel Core 5 120U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i9-14901TE has a TDP of 45 watts. This reflects the mobile versus desktop market positioning.
Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?
A: The Intel Core 5 120U ranks in the 72nd percentile, while the Intel Core i9-14901TE ranks in the 50th percentile. The database records no benchmark scores for the i9-14901TE, so this ranking is based on available data.
Architecture Differences
The two processors share the same Raptor Lake architecture family but target different market segments. The Intel Core 5 120U uses the Raptor Lake-U codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. It is a mobile processor designed for Intel BGA 1744 sockets. The Intel Core i9-14901TE uses the Raptor Lake-R codename, belongs to the Core 14th Gen series and the Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation, and is a desktop processor for Intel Socket 1700.
The process node is identical at 10 nm, with Intel as the foundry for both. Cache layouts differ substantially. The Core 5 120U carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i9-14901TE also has 80 KB of L1 per core but doubles the L2 to 2 MB per core and triples the shared L3 to 36 MB. The die size for the i9-14901TE is recorded at 257 mm², while no die size is listed for the 120U.
Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Core i9-14901TE uses UHD Graphics 770. The PCIe interfaces also diverge: the 120U supports Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, whereas the i9-14901TE supports Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. ECC memory support is present only on the i9-14901TE. The market segments are clearly split, mobile for the 120U and desktop for the i9-14901TE, and both are listed as active production parts.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core 5 120U is the only processor in this comparison with recorded benchmark scores. Its strengths appear in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23, it scores 6659 in multicore and 1756.5 in singlecore. In Geekbench, it records 5888 for multicore and 1727 for singlecore. PassMark results show a multithread score of 15042 and a single-thread score of 3479.
The i9-14901TE has no benchmark entries in the database, which means the head-to-head comparison cannot be quantified with measured results. The available data therefore gives the 120U the clear win in all recorded tests, not because of architectural superiority but because it is the only part with scores. The i9-14901TE offers a different feature set, including more threads, higher clocks, more L3 cache, and desktop-oriented connectivity, which positions it for different workloads on paper.
The 120U's 15-watt TDP and mobile socket make it suitable for power-constrained systems. The i9-14901TE's 45-watt TDP and desktop socket suggest it is intended for full-size platforms. The i9-14901TE also includes ECC memory support, which the 120U lacks, making it relevant for reliability-focused desktop scenarios.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in multiple specification fields. Core count favors the 120U at 10 cores versus 8 cores for the i9-14901TE. Thread count favors the i9-14901TE at 16 threads versus 12 threads. Base clock speeds differ: the 120U runs at 1.40 GHz, while the i9-14901TE runs at 2.30 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the i9-14901TE reaching 5.50 GHz compared to the 120U's 5.00 GHz.
TDP is a major differentiator: 15 watts for the 120U versus 45 watts for the i9-14901TE. Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1744 for the 120U and Intel Socket 1700 for the i9-14901TE. The codenames differ as Raptor Lake-U versus Raptor Lake-R, and the generations are listed as Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) versus Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh).
L2 and L3 cache capacities differ, as noted above. The i9-14901TE has a die size of 257 mm², while the 120U has no recorded die size. ECC memory support is exclusive to the i9-14901TE. PCIe generation and lane counts differ: Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the 120U versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the i9-14901TE. Integrated graphics differ between Iris Xe Graphics 80EU and UHD Graphics 770. Market segments differ between mobile and desktop. Release dates also differ, with the 120U released on January 7, 2024, and the i9-14901TE released on June 30, 2024.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors, and the Intel Core i9-14901TE has no individual benchmark scores recorded. The Intel Core 5 120U therefore stands as the only part with measurable results. Its Cinebench R15 multicore score is 1150.5, and its singlecore score is 245. In Cinebench R20, it records 5349 multicore and 755 singlecore. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score is 6659, and the singlecore score is 1756.5.
Geekbench results for the 120U show 5888 in multicore and 1727 in singlecore. PassMark tests cover a range of workloads. Data compression scores 166432, data encryption scores 10453, and extended instructions score 9299. Prime number finding scores 53, floating point math scores 36026, and integer math scores 52280. The multithread score is 15042, physics scores 937, and random string sorting scores 19060. Single-thread performance is recorded at 3479.
The average benchmark score for the 120U is 17898, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891 and a delta of 0 percent, the Intel Core 5 221TE with 17860 and a delta of 0.2 percent, the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 with 17994 and a delta of -0.5 percent, and the Intel Core 7 350 with 17779 and a delta of 0.7 percent. These deltas show the 120U sits within about 1 percent of its closest competitors.
Because the i9-14901TE lacks recorded scores, no direct comparison of wins is possible. The 120U wins all recorded benchmark categories by default. The i9-14901TE's specifications, including a 5.50 GHz boost clock, 36 MB of L3 cache, and 16 threads, suggest it could outperform the 120U in multi-threaded desktop workloads, but the database does not contain measurements to confirm this. The data as recorded shows a one-sided picture solely in favor of the Core 5 120U.