Intel Core 5 120UL vs Intel Core i9-14901KE Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 5 120UL and Intel Core i9-14901KE occupy very different positions in the database. The Core 5 120UL is a 10-core, 12-thread Raptor Lake-PS part with a 15 W TDP, while the Core i9-14901KE is an 8-core, 16-thread Raptor Lake Refresh part with a 125 W TDP. The recorded benchmark data contains full results for the Core 5 120UL but no benchmark scores for the Core i9-14901KE. The Core 5 120UL sits at the 68th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 13594. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100F at 13494 (0.7% behind), the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 (0.8% behind), the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 (1.1% behind), and the Intel Core 3 304 at 13745 (1.1% ahead). The Core i9-14901KE has a percentile of 50 and an average benchmark score of 0, with no rivals listed. The data indicates that the Core 5 120UL has measured performance, while the Core i9-14901KE has none in this database. Users seeking a processor with verified benchmark results should consider the Core 5 120UL. Users seeking the higher core clock and larger cache of the Core i9-14901KE must rely on specification data alone, as no performance measurements exist for it.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores. The Core 5 120UL also has 12 threads, whereas the Core i9-14901KE has 16 threads.

Q: What is the base clock difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has a base clock of 1.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has a base clock of 3.80 GHz. The boost clock for the Core 5 120UL is 4.60 GHz, and for the Core i9-14901KE it is 5.80 GHz.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The L2 cache also differs: the Core 5 120UL has 1.25 MB per core, and the Core i9-14901KE has 2 MB per core.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. Neither has a recorded memory bandwidth figure in the database.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has a TDP of 125 W, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has a TDP of 15 W. This is a substantial difference in power envelope.

Q: Is the integrated graphics different between the two?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 120UL uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE uses UHD Graphics 770. The Core i9-14901KE also supports ECC memory, which the Core 5 120UL does not.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture family, but they belong to different subfamilies. The Intel Core 5 120UL is based on Raptor Lake-PS with a codename of Raptor Lake-PS, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE is based on Raptor Lake Refresh with a codename of Raptor Lake-R. Both use a 10 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel. The Core 5 120UL has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, whereas the Core i9-14901KE also has 80 KB per core. The L2 cache per core differs: 1.25 MB for the Core 5 120UL versus 2 MB for the Core i9-14901KE. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the Core 5 120UL and 36 MB shared on the Core i9-14901KE. The Core i9-14901KE has a die size of 257 mm², while the Core 5 120UL has no recorded die size. Neither processor has a recorded transistor count or v-cache. The Core i9-14901KE has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 120UL does not. PCIe support also differs: the Core 5 120UL has Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), and the Core i9-14901KE has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics units are different as noted above. The Core i9-14901KE supports ECC memory, the Core 5 120UL does not. The Core 5 120UL was released on 2024-04-07, and the Core i9-14901KE was released on 2024-06-30.

Specification Differences

The specification table between the two processors shows clear differences in several fields. The core count is 10 for the Core 5 120UL versus 8 for the Core i9-14901KE. Thread count is 12 versus 16. Base clock is 1.30 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. Boost clock is 4.60 GHz versus 5.80 GHz. TDP is 15 W versus 125 W. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is 12 MB versus 36 MB. The PCIe configuration is Gen 4, 8 lanes versus Gen 5, 16 lanes. ECC memory support is false versus true. The multiplier is locked versus unlocked. The part number for the Core i9-14901KE is Q49DSRNJC, while the Core 5 120UL has an unknown part number. The integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU versus UHD Graphics 770. The codename is Raptor Lake-PS versus Raptor Lake-R. The generation is Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS) versus Core i9 (Raptor Lake Refresh). The die size is not recorded for the Core 5 120UL, but the Core i9-14901KE has a die size of 257 mm². The release dates differ by months, with the Core 5 120UL releasing earlier. The production status for both is Active. Both use Intel Socket 1700, DDR4 and DDR5 memory, and a dual-channel memory bus. Neither has a recorded memory bandwidth or launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results between the Intel Core 5 120UL and the Intel Core i9-14901KE. The head-to-head benchmark array is empty, and the wins count is 0 for both processors. However, the Core 5 120UL has a full suite of benchmark scores across multiple tests. The Core i9-14901KE has no benchmark scores at all, with an empty benchmarks array and an average benchmark score of 0. The Core 5 120UL scores 904 in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 127 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3769 multi-core and 531 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 8974 multi-core and 1266 single-core. Passmark tests show a data compression score of 109090, data encryption of 7685, extended instructions of 5203, find prime numbers of 47, floating point math of 26311, integer math of 38060, multithread of 10558, physics of 807, random string sorting of 13610, and single thread of 2080. The average benchmark score for the Core 5 120UL is 13594. The Core i9-14901KE does not have comparable numbers, so any direct comparison of measured performance is impossible from the recorded data. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 120UL provide context: the Intel Core i3-12100F has an average score of 13494, a delta of 0.7% behind the Core 5 120UL. The Intel Core 3 N355 scores 13492, a delta of 0.8% behind. The Intel Core i5-9500 scores 13452, a delta of 1.1% behind. The Intel Core 3 304 scores 13745, a delta of -1.1%, meaning it is 1.1% ahead of the Core 5 120UL. These figures place the Core 5 120UL in a tight performance band around the 13500 mark. The percentile of 68 indicates it outperforms most CPUs in the database. The Core i9-14901KE has a percentile of 50, which is lower, but this is based on no benchmark data and an average score of 0, so the percentile likely reflects the lack of measurements rather than actual performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120UL wins in measured performance territory. It has a complete set of benchmark results, placing it at the 68th percentile among all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 13594 puts it slightly ahead of the Intel Core i3-12100F by 0.7% and the Intel Core 3 N355 by 0.8%, and 1.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500. It trails the Intel Core 3 304 by 1.1%. The Core 5 120UL also has a lower TDP of 15 W versus 125 W, which makes it a more power-efficient option based on the recorded specifications. Its 10 cores and 12 threads provide a higher core count, though the thread count is lower than the Core i9-14901KE. The Core 5 120UL uses Gen 4 PCIe with 8 lanes, which is an older generation but sufficient for many desktop workloads. It has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which is lower than the Core i9-14901KE but still substantial. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics 80EU provides a specific graphics solution.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE wins in raw specification advantage. It has a much higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost clock of 5.80 GHz. Its 16 threads exceed the 12 threads of the Core 5 120UL. The L3 cache of 36 MB is three times larger than the 12 MB on the Core 5 120UL. The L2 cache per core is 2 MB versus 1.25 MB. The Core i9-14901KE has ECC memory support, which the Core 5 120UL lacks. It has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the Core 5 120UL is locked. The PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes offers a newer and wider interface compared to Gen 4 with 8 lanes. The die size of 257 mm² is recorded for the Core i9-14901KE, while the Core 5 120UL has no die size data. The Core i9-14901KE also has a higher TDP, which indicates a higher power ceiling for sustained performance, though no benchmark data confirms this in the database. The Core i9-14901KE has a part number of Q49DSRNJC, which suggests it is a specific engineering sample or variant. The UHD Graphics 770 is the integrated solution for the Core i9-14901KE.

The use-case split from the data is clear. For workloads that rely on measured multi-core and single-core performance, the Core 5 120UL is the only processor with verified scores. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 8974 and single-core score of 1266 give concrete reference points. Passmark integer math at 38060 and floating point math at 26311 indicate strong computational throughput for its class. For workloads that demand higher clock speeds, larger cache, ECC support, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, the Core i9-14901KE offers those features on paper. The 5.80 GHz boost clock is the highest recorded in this comparison. The 36 MB L3 cache is the largest in this comparison. The 125 W TDP suggests a part designed for higher sustained loads, though the database does not include any benchmark results to confirm this behavior. The Core 5 120UL, with its 15 W TDP, is positioned as a low-power desktop processor. The Core i9-14901KE, with its 125 W TDP, is positioned as a high-performance desktop processor. Neither processor has a launch MSRP recorded, so no pricing information is available. The production status for both is Active, meaning both are currently available. The release dates show the Core 5 120UL came first in April 2024, followed by the Core i9-14901KE in June 2024. The data does not provide any head-to-head benchmark comparisons, so the relative performance between the two cannot be quantified from direct measurements. The nearest rivals for the Core 5 120UL show a tight cluster around the 13500 average score mark, indicating that the Core 5 120UL performs in a specific band. The Core i9-14901KE has no rivals listed, so its competitive position remains undefined in the database. The percentile of 50 for the Core i9-14901KE is below the 68th percentile of the Core 5 120UL, but given the absence of benchmark data, this percentile should not be interpreted as a performance ranking. It likely reflects the incomplete data record. The Core 5 120UL has a single-thread Passmark score of 2080, which is recorded twice in the database under different test names, confirming consistency. The physics score of 807 and random string sorting score of 13610 provide additional reference points. The data compression score of 109090 is particularly high compared to other Passmark metrics. The extended instructions score of 5203 and data encryption score of 7685 round out the measured workload profile. The find prime numbers score of 47 is low, which may reflect the specific workload characteristics of this processor. The multithread score of 10558 aligns with the 12-thread configuration. These numbers give a complete picture of the Core 5 120UL's measured capabilities. For the Core i9-14901KE, no such picture exists in the database. Any user choosing between these two processors must weigh the verified performance of the Core 5 120UL against the unverified but specification-strong Core i9-14901KE. The Core 5 120UL delivers confirmed results across a wide range of tests, while the Core i9-14901KE offers higher clock speeds, more cache, ECC support, and an unlocked multiplier, but no measured scores to back those features. The data does not allow a definitive performance winner. It allows a definitive data availability winner, which is the Core 5 120UL.