Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core i5-14501E Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 5 120UL and Intel Core i5-14501E are both Raptor Lake desktop parts on Socket 1700, but they target different performance envelopes. The data shows the Core 5 120UL is the only one with recorded benchmark scores in the database, holding a 68th percentile ranking among all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 13594. The Core i5-14501E has no recorded benchmarks and sits at the 50th percentile by default, which is a placeholder position rather than a measured result.

The Core 5 120UL is the choice for low-power desktop systems. Its 15 W TDP and 10-core configuration with 12 threads deliver measured performance that places it within 1.1% of the Intel Core i5-9500 and within 0.7% of the Intel Core i3-12100F. The Core i5-14501E, with its 65 W TDP, 6 cores, and 12 threads, is designed for higher sustained workloads, but the database contains no benchmark verification of that advantage.

The Core i5-14501E does offer structural advantages on paper: a 5.20 GHz boost clock versus 4.60 GHz, 24 MB of shared L3 cache versus 12 MB, ECC memory support, and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes versus Gen 4 with 8 lanes. However, with zero recorded benchmark scores, its actual performance cannot be confirmed from the data. The Core 5 120UL is the verified performer; the Core i5-14501E is the specification sheet contender.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture and the Intel 10 nm process node, with Intel as the foundry for each. The Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS codename, a derivative aimed at power-sensitive desktop use, while the Core i5-14501E uses the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 14th Gen refresh lineup.

The core configurations diverge significantly. The Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement with fewer performance threads than physical cores suggest. The Core i5-14501E has 6 cores and 12 threads, a configuration where every core is hyper-threaded. The Core 5 120UL carries a 15 W TDP, while the Core i5-14501E carries a 65 W TDP, a 50 W difference that reflects the intended thermal and power envelope.

Cache hierarchies start identically at 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core for both parts. The shared L3 cache differs: 12 MB on the Core 5 120UL versus 24 MB on the Core i5-14501E. The Core i5-14501E also has a recorded die size of 215 mm², while the Core 5 120UL has no die size listed in the database.

Memory support is the same on both: DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus. ECC memory is absent on the Core 5 120UL and present on the Core i5-14501E. PCIe capabilities differ, with the Core 5 120UL offering Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes and the Core i5-14501E offering Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 120UL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Core i5-14501E uses UHD Graphics 770.

The release dates place the Core 5 120UL on 2024-04-07 and the Core i5-14501E on 2024-06-30, roughly three months apart. Both are active production parts, both are desktop market segments, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i5-14501E has a part number of Q49HSRNJM; the Core 5 120UL has an unknown part number.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14501E boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120UL boosts to 4.60 GHz, a 0.60 GHz advantage for the i5-14501E.

Q: Does the Core 5 120UL support ECC memory?

A: No, the Core 5 120UL does not support ECC memory. The Core i5-14501E does support ECC memory.

Q: How does the Core 5 120UL compare to the Intel Core i3-12100F in average benchmark score?

A: The Core 5 120UL has an average benchmark score of 13594, which is 0.7% higher than the Intel Core i3-12100F's average score of 13494.

Q: What PCIe generation does each processor support?

A: The Core 5 120UL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU-only lanes. The Core i5-14501E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Core i5-14501E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 12 MB of shared L3 cache on the Core 5 120UL.

Q: Are both processors on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700 and are based on the Raptor Lake architecture on the Intel 10 nm process node.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded fields. Core count: 10 on the Core 5 120UL versus 6 on the Core i5-14501E. Thread count is identical at 12. Base clock: 1.30 GHz on the Core 5 120UL versus 3.30 GHz on the Core i5-14501E. Boost clock: 4.60 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP: 15 W versus 65 W. Codename: Raptor Lake-PS versus Raptor Lake-R. Generation: Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) versus Core i5 (Raptor Lake Refresh). Die size: not listed versus 215 mm². L3 cache: 12 MB shared versus 24 MB shared. ECC memory: false versus true. PCIe: Gen 4 with 8 lanes versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU versus UHD Graphics 770. Release date: 2024-04-07 versus 2024-06-30. Part number: unknown versus Q49HSRNJM.

Fields that are the same: architecture (Raptor Lake), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (1.25 MB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (dual-channel), market segment (Desktop), production status (Active), multiplier unlocked (false), and manufacturer (Intel).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark array in the database is empty, so no direct comparison scores exist between the Core 5 120UL and the Core i5-14501E. The Core 5 120UL has 17 individual benchmark records; the Core i5-14501E has none.

For the Core 5 120UL, the recorded data shows a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 8974 and a single-core score of 1266. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3769 multicore and 531 single-core. Cinebench R15 results are 904 multicore and 127 single-core. PassMark results include a multithread score of 10558, a single-thread score of 2080, integer math at 38060, floating point math at 26311, data compression at 109090, data encryption at 7685, extended instructions at 5203, find prime numbers at 47, physics at 807, and random string sorting at 13610.

The nearest rival data for the Core 5 120UL places it in a tight cluster. The Intel Core i3-12100F averages 13494, which is 0.7% lower than the Core 5 120UL's 13594. The Intel Core 3 N355 averages 13492, 0.8% lower. The Intel Core i5-9500 averages 13452, 1.1% lower. The Intel Core 3 304 averages 13745, which is 1.1% higher than the Core 5 120UL. These deltas indicate the Core 5 120UL sits comfortably among established desktop processors, slightly ahead of three rivals and slightly behind one.

The Core i5-14501E has no benchmark records to compare. Its 50th percentile ranking is an unmeasured default, not a verified result. Without scores, the database cannot confirm whether its higher clocks and larger cache translate into actual performance wins over the Core 5 120UL.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 5 120UL wins on verified performance data. Its average benchmark score of 13594 places it at the 68th percentile among all CPUs, and it outperforms the Intel Core i3-12100F by 0.7%, the Intel Core 3 N355 by 0.8%, and the Intel Core i5-9500 by 1.1% in average score. It also wins on power efficiency with a 15 W TDP, which is 50 W lower than the Core i5-14501E's 65 W TDP. The Core 5 120UL has more physical cores (10 versus 6), which supports parallel workloads, and it was released earlier on 2024-04-07.

The Core i5-14501E wins on raw specification headroom. Its boost clock of 5.20 GHz is 0.60 GHz higher, its base clock of 3.30 GHz is 2.00 GHz higher, and its 24 MB of L3 cache doubles the Core 5 120UL's 12 MB. It adds ECC memory support, which the Core 5 120UL lacks. It provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, a generation and lane advantage over the Core 5 120UL's Gen 4 with 8 lanes. Its die size of 215 mm² is recorded, and its integrated UHD Graphics 770 differs from the Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the Core 5 120UL. The Core i5-14501E also has a documented part number, Q49HSRNJM, while the Core 5 120UL's is unknown.

The use-case split follows the data. For systems where measured performance, low power draw, and a verified benchmark profile matter, the Core 5 120UL is the supported choice. For systems where higher clocks, larger cache, ECC support, and newer PCIe connectivity are required, the Core i5-14501E offers the specification advantages, but the database has no benchmark evidence to confirm how those advantages translate into real-world scores.