CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 230 and Intel Core 5 120 are both six-core, twelve-thread processors, but they target different platform realities. The Ryzen 5 230 is a mobile-first chip on AMD Socket FP8 with a 28 W TDP, while the Core 5 120 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP. Benchmark data shows the Intel part wins the majority of the head-to-head tests, 12 out of 17, but the AMD chip counters with decisive wins in several specialized workloads. The overall database percentile ranking is close, with the Ryzen 5 230 at the 78th percentile and the Core 5 120 at the 77th, and their average benchmark scores sit within 1.6% of each other.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 establishes its lead in general productivity and rendering workloads. Across the full Cinebench suite, from R15 to R23, the Intel part wins every single-core and multi-core test, with a consistent 2.2% to 2.3% margin over the AMD. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel scores 18255 against the AMD's 17857, and in single-core it scores 2577 against 2521. This consistency suggests the Intel chip has a small but reliable edge in applications that scale with raw CPU throughput, such as video encoding and 3D rendering.

The Intel chip also dominates in physics simulation, scoring 1333 in PassMark Physics versus the AMD's 958, a 28.1% advantage. This is the largest single win for the Intel part in the entire comparison. It also leads in floating-point math, scoring 45383 versus 38993, a 14.1% difference, and in prime number finding, scoring 77 versus 66, a 14.3% margin. For workloads that rely on heavy mathematical computation and physics calculations, the Intel Core 5 120 is the stronger choice.

The AMD Ryzen 5 230 wins are fewer but focused in specific areas. Its biggest victory is in PassMark Data Encryption, where it scores 13280 versus the Intel's 11131, a 19.3% advantage. It also wins PassMark Random String Sorting by 21%, scoring 26019 versus 21499, and PassMark Integer Math by 11.2%, scoring 67257 versus 60462. The AMD chip wins PassMark Extended Instructions by 9.5%, scoring 15618 versus 14264, and PassMark Multithread by 4.4%, scoring 19411 versus 18597. These results point toward workloads involving encryption, sorting algorithms, and integer-heavy processing, where the AMD architecture holds a clear edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 120 uses Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 163 mm² die size. The process node difference is substantial, with AMD on the more advanced 4 nm node.

Cache configurations differ notably. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has more cache at every level, which helps explain its consistent lead in rendering and physics workloads.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 supports only DDR5 memory with dual-channel operation and a measured bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, with no specific bandwidth figure recorded. The Intel chip also offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the AMD chip offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the AMD featuring Radeon 760M and the Intel featuring UHD Graphics 730. The AMD part is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel part is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests, with scores of 1840 in R15, 7667 in R20, and 18255 in R23, versus the AMD Ryzen 5 230's 1799, 7499, and 17857 respectively. The margin is 2.2% in each test.

Q: Does the AMD chip win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 230 wins five head-to-head tests: Data Encryption by 19.3%, Random String Sorting by 21%, Integer Math by 11.2%, Extended Instructions by 9.5%, and Multithread by 4.4%.

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

A: The largest difference is in PassMark Physics, where the Intel Core 5 120 scores 1333 versus the AMD's 958, a 28.1% lead for Intel. The largest AMD lead is 21% in Random String Sorting.

Q: How do their overall database rankings compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 230 sits at the 78th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 25782. The Intel Core 5 120 sits at the 77th percentile with an average score of 25362.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 230 has a TDP of 28 W, while the Intel Core 5 120 has a TDP of 65 W. The Intel part draws more power and is a desktop component, while the AMD is a mobile component.

Q: Which chip has better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins every single-core benchmark, including Cinebench R23 single-core with 2577 versus 2521 and PassMark Single Thread with 3595 versus 3558. The margins are 2.2% and 1% respectively.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 230 | Intel Core 5 120 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 6 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 163 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $211 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results tell a clear story of narrow Intel superiority. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel scores 1840 versus 1799, a 2.2% lead. The same 2.2% margin appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with Intel at 7667 and AMD at 7499, and in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with Intel at 18255 and AMD at 17857. Single-core results mirror this pattern exactly, with Intel leading by 2.3% in R15 (259 versus 253) and 2.2% in both R20 (1082 versus 1058) and R23 (2577 versus 2521). This uniformity suggests a consistent architectural advantage for Intel in Cinebench workloads.

The PassMark suite reveals a more split picture. The Intel part wins Data Compression narrowly, 219535 versus 218588, a 0.4% margin. It also wins Floating Point Math by 14.1% (45383 versus 38993), Find Prime Numbers by 14.3% (77 versus 66), and Physics by 28.1% (1333 versus 958). The single-thread PassMark tests go to Intel by 1%, with scores of 3595 versus 3558.

The AMD Ryzen 5 230 wins the remaining PassMark tests by wide margins. Data Encryption favors AMD by 19.3%, with scores of 13280 versus 11131. Random String Sorting favors AMD by 21%, with scores of 26019 versus 21499. Integer Math favors AMD by 11.2%, with scores of 67257 versus 60462. Extended Instructions favors AMD by 9.5%, with scores of 15618 versus 14264. The Multithread test also goes to AMD by 4.4%, with scores of 19411 versus 18597.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database adds context. The AMD Ryzen 5 230 sits within 0.8% of the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, within 0.6% of the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, and within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE. The Intel Core 5 120 sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-13400F and matches the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D exactly. Both chips are effectively equivalent in overall average score, with the AMD at 25782 and the Intel at 25362.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split recommendation. For general-purpose desktop use, rendering, physics simulation, and floating-point heavy tasks, the Intel Core 5 120 is the better pick. It wins every Cinebench test, leads in PassMark Physics by 28.1%, and offers a 65 W desktop TDP with support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. Its launch MSRP is $211, and it is an active desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700.

The AMD Ryzen 5 230 is the better choice for mobile systems and for workloads that involve encryption, integer math, string sorting, and extended instruction sets. It wins Data Encryption by 19.3% and Random String Sorting by 21%, and it does so with a 28 W TDP, making it suitable for power-constrained laptop designs. Its 4 nm process node and 4.90 GHz boost clock contribute to its strong per-watt performance profile.

Benchmark results indicate that neither chip is a dominant overall winner. The Intel part wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head tests, but the AMD part wins the remaining five by margins as large as 21%. The overall percentile rankings differ by just one point, and the average benchmark scores are separated by only 1.6%. The deciding factor should be the specific workload and platform requirements, not raw aggregate performance.