AMD Ryzen 5 2600E vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E and Intel Core 5 120U are two active processors that sit at the same 72nd percentile in the database. The AMD part posts an average benchmark score of 18230, while the Intel part posts 17898. In head-to-head testing, Intel wins 13 of 17 tests, but AMD wins four, including a decisive Cinebench R23 multi-core result. The data shows two very different design approaches: a 2018 desktop chip with a 65 W TDP and a 2024 mobile chip with a 15 W TDP. This analysis walks through the architecture, benchmark deltas, and specification differences.

The Verdict

Based strictly on recorded benchmarks, the Intel Core 5 120U is the stronger all-around performer. It wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, including every single-thread test and most multi-thread tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is the better choice only for workloads that resemble Cinebench R23 multi-core, data compression, data encryption, and random string sorting. For general desktop use, especially single-thread and floating-point tasks, the Intel part leads.

The overall performance gap is modest. Both processors sit at the 72nd percentile, and the AMD part has a slightly higher average benchmark score (18230 vs 17898). In the database, the AMD part's average score places it near the Intel Core i7-8700 (18223, 0% delta) and the Intel Core 5 315 (18188, 0.2% delta). The Intel part's average score places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, 0% delta) and the Intel Core 5 221TE (17860, 0.2% delta). The Intel part also includes integrated graphics and a much lower TDP, which may matter for system design, but those are not benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design eras. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E uses the Zen architecture on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm process from Intel. AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads; Intel has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.10 GHz for AMD and 1.40 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 4.00 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively. TDP differs sharply: 65 W for AMD, 15 W for Intel.

Cache layouts differ. AMD has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD supports DDR4 memory only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. AMD uses Socket AM4; Intel uses BGA 1744. AMD has no integrated graphics; Intel includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. AMD is a desktop part, Intel is mobile. AMD was released in 2018, Intel in 2024. AMD has 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die; Intel does not list transistor or die size in the database. Intel lists PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only); AMD does not list PCIe. Both have dual-channel memory, no ECC support, and locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel part dominates the head-to-head list. Its largest win is in Passmark floating point math, where it scores 36026 against AMD's 20970, a 41.8% lead. It also leads by 39.6% in find prime numbers (53 vs 32) and by 39.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (245 vs 149). Passmark single-thread shows a 34% lead (3479 vs 2297). Extended instructions go to Intel by 30% (9299 vs 6509). Integer math is 23.9% higher (52280 vs 39781). Physics is 19.7% higher (937 vs 752). Passmark multithread is 17.9% higher (15042 vs 12346). Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core both show Intel ahead by 17.6% (5349 vs 4407 and 755 vs 622). Cinebench R23 single-core is 15.7% higher (1756.5 vs 1481). Cinebench R15 multi-core is 8.1% higher (1150.5 vs 1057).

The AMD part wins four tests. Its biggest win is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 10494 against Intel's 6659, a 57.6% lead. It also leads in data encryption by 16.2% (12146 vs 10453), random string sorting by 9.7% (20918 vs 19060), and data compression by 4.3% (173653 vs 166432). Notably, AMD wins Cinebench R23 multi-core despite losing Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, which suggests the workload scaling differs between the two processors.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 2600E | Intel Core 5 120U |

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

| Series | 2000 series | Not listed |

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Base clock | 3.10 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.00 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Zen | Raptor Lake-U |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge)) | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) |

| Process node | 12 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 192 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 16 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Integrated graphics | None | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2018-09-18 | 2024-01-07 |

| Part number | Not listed | SRM7P |

| PCIe | Not listed | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U. In Passmark single-thread, it scores 3479 vs 2297, a 34% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1756.5 vs 1481, a 15.7% lead.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 6 cores. Both have 12 threads.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E supports DDR4 only.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E does not list integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor wins Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E wins by 57.6%, scoring 10494 vs 6659.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has a 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has a 4.00 GHz boost clock.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark wins, the Intel Core 5 120U is the pick for single-thread-heavy applications, floating-point math, integer math, extended instruction workloads, and physics simulations. It also leads in Passmark multithread and Cinebench R15/R20 multi-core, so it handles most general multi-threaded tasks better. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is the pick for Cinebench R23 multi-core rendering, data compression, data encryption, and random string sorting. Its 57.6% margin in R23 multi-core is the largest single win in the comparison.

For system builders, the Intel part's integrated graphics and 15 W TDP make it suitable for compact or mobile designs, while the AMD part's 65 W TDP and desktop socket target traditional desktop builds. These are specification differences, not benchmark results, but they align with the performance split. The data shows a clear trade-off: Intel wins the majority of tests, but AMD's wins are concentrated in specific data-oriented and long-running multi-core workloads.