AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

The data presents a fascinating contrast: the Intel Core 5 120U, a 15-watt mobile processor, and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, a 95-watt desktop part, land within 0.1% of each other in average benchmark score (17898 vs 17891). This near-parity in overall performance masks a starkly divergent set of strengths and weaknesses that reveal themselves across individual workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT dominates the multi-threaded landscape with decisive victories. The most dramatic gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD scores 15776 against Intel's 6659, a staggering 57.8% advantage. This pattern repeats across other heavily threaded tests: Geekbench multi-core shows AMD ahead by 26.2% (7973 vs 5888), and PassMark multithread gives AMD a 19% lead (18562 vs 15042). The Ryzen's edge in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1590 vs 1150.5, a 27.6% delta) and R20 multi-core (6625 vs 5349, a 19.3% delta) further confirms this trend.

The Intel Core 5 120U fights back in single-threaded and specific math workloads, though with smaller margins. PassMark single-thread is Intel's biggest win: 3479 vs 2752, a 26.4% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core also goes Intel's way (245 vs 224, a 9.4% delta), as does Geekbench single-core (1727 vs 1667, a 3.6% delta). Intel also wins PassMark floating-point math by 19.5% (36026 vs 30149) and squeaks by in integer math with a 1.7% edge (52280 vs 51416). However, AMD counters even in some single-thread tests: Cinebench R20 single-core goes to AMD by 19.3% (935 vs 755), and R23 single-core favors AMD by 21.1% (2227 vs 1756.5).

The workload-specific PassMark tests paint a mixed but generally AMD-favorable picture. AMD wins data compression by 27.8% (230645 vs 166432), data encryption by 28.4% (14608 vs 10453), extended instructions by 36.2% (14585 vs 9299), find prime numbers by 53.1% (113 vs 53), physics by 22.6% (1210 vs 937), and random string sorting by 23.6% (24960 vs 19060). Of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, AMD wins 13, Intel wins 6.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core 5 120U faster than the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT in any benchmark?

A: Yes. Intel wins 6 of the 19 head-to-head tests, including PassMark single-thread by 26.4%, PassMark floating-point math by 19.5%, and Cinebench R15 single-core by 9.4%.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD leads by 57.8%. Other multi-core deltas range from 19% in PassMark multithread to 27.6% in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has a 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT boosts to 4.50 GHz. Despite this, AMD wins several single-core benchmarks.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of threads?

A: Yes, both have 12 threads. However, Intel uses 10 cores to reach that count while AMD uses 6 cores.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The difference is negligible: Intel's average benchmark score is 17898, and AMD's is 17891, a delta of 0%. Both rank near the 71-72nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Does the AMD processor have integrated graphics?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT has no integrated graphics (null field). The Intel Core 5 120U includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. Intel's Core 5 120U is built on Raptor Lake architecture using a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, while AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT uses Zen 2 architecture on TSMC's 7 nm node. The Intel chip is a Raptor Lake-U codename part, whereas AMD's is Matisse 2.

Core configurations reveal a key divergence: Intel packs 10 cores and 12 threads, while AMD uses 6 cores and 12 threads. This means Intel relies on a mix of performance and efficiency cores to reach its thread count, whereas AMD uses six full cores with simultaneous multithreading. The cache hierarchy differs substantially. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. AMD offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB of shared L3. AMD also lists 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, while Intel does not disclose transistor count or die size.

Memory support marks another split. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD is limited to DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD specifies a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, a figure Intel does not provide. AMD's PCIe implementation is listed simply as "Gen 4," whereas Intel specifies "Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only)." Neither supports ECC memory. Intel includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics 80EU; AMD has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ: Intel has 10 cores versus AMD's 6. Both have 12 threads. Base clocks are far apart, with Intel at 1.40 GHz and AMD at 3.80 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with Intel at 5.00 GHz and AMD at 4.50 GHz. Thermal design power shows the biggest gap: Intel is rated at 15 W, AMD at 95 W.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 1744, AMD uses Socket AM4. Process nodes differ (10 nm vs 7 nm), as do foundries (Intel vs TSMC). Cache configurations vary at every level. Intel's L1 is 80 KB per core versus AMD's 64 KB; Intel's L2 is 1.25 MB per core versus AMD's 512 KB; Intel's L3 is 12 MB shared versus AMD's 32 MB shared. Memory support differs (DDR4/DDR5 vs DDR4 only). AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; Intel does not. AMD has an unlocked multiplier; Intel does not. AMD's launch MSRP was $249; Intel has no listed launch MSRP. Release dates differ: Intel launched on 2024-01-07, AMD on 2019-07-06. Intel's part number is SRM7P; AMD's is 100-100000281. AMD's market segment is Desktop; Intel's is Mobile.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload profile. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT is the stronger choice for multi-threaded productivity, with wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (57.8% ahead), Geekbench multi-core (26.2% ahead), and PassMark multithread (19% ahead). It also dominates in specialized tasks like encryption (28.4% ahead), extended instructions (36.2% ahead), and prime number finding (53.1% ahead). The AMD part's larger 32 MB L3 cache and higher base clock of 3.80 GHz appear to drive these advantages.

The Intel Core 5 120U, despite its 15 W TDP, wins in PassMark single-thread by 26.4% and floating-point math by 19.5%. It also edges out AMD in integer math by 1.7%. However, Intel loses more single-core tests than it wins: AMD takes Cinebench R20 single-core by 19.3% and R23 single-core by 21.1%. The overall win count (13 for AMD, 6 for Intel) and the magnitude of AMD's multi-core victories suggest that for sustained, heavily threaded workloads, the Ryzen 5 3600XT is the data-backed pick. For short single-thread bursts or floating-point-heavy tasks, Intel has measurable advantages.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT wins in: Cinebench R15 multi-core (27.6% ahead), Cinebench R20 multi-core (19.3% ahead), Cinebench R23 multi-core (57.8% ahead), Cinebench R20 single-core (19.3% ahead), Cinebench R23 single-core (21.1% ahead), Geekbench multi-core (26.2% ahead), PassMark data compression (27.8% ahead), PassMark data encryption (28.4% ahead), PassMark extended instructions (36.2% ahead), PassMark find prime numbers (53.1% ahead), PassMark multithread (19% ahead), PassMark physics (22.6% ahead), and PassMark random string sorting (23.6% ahead).

Intel Core 5 120U wins in: Cinebench R15 single-core (9.4% ahead), Geekbench single-core (3.6% ahead), PassMark floating-point math (19.5% ahead), PassMark integer math (1.7% ahead), PassMark single-thread (26.4% ahead), and PassMark singlethread (26.4% ahead).

The use-case split is stark. AMD's wins cluster around rendering, compression, encryption, and physics — workloads that scale with core count and cache. Intel's wins concentrate in lightweight single-thread tasks and math operations that favor its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 7 nm AMD chip's 95 W TDP enables sustained multi-core performance, while the 10 nm Intel chip's 15 W TDP suggests efficiency-focused mobile deployment. For a desktop user running renders or compressing large datasets, the Ryzen 5 3600XT is overwhelmingly favored by the benchmark data. For a laptop user prioritizing responsiveness in single-threaded applications or floating-point calculations, the Core 5 120U holds specific, if narrower, advantages.