AMD Ryzen 5 7500F vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

The Intel Core 5 120 and AMD Ryzen 5 7500F are both 6-core, 12-thread desktop processors with a 65W TDP. The database records 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons between them, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F wins all 17. This analysis walks through those results, the specification differences, and the architectural choices that separate the two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel scores 1840 against the AMD's 2298, a delta of -19.9%. The single-core result is similar: 259 versus 324, a -20.1% gap. Cinebench R20 repeats the trend, with the AMD leading 9575 to 7667 in multicore (-19.9%) and 1351 to 1082 in single-core (-19.9%). Cinebench R23 follows exactly the same margin: 22799 versus 18255 in multicore and 3218 versus 2577 in single-core, both at -19.9%. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F holds a roughly 20% advantage in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering workloads.

The Passmark results widen the gap in several areas. In data compression, the AMD scores 305925 against the Intel's 219535, a -28.2% difference. Data encryption shows a larger margin: 17510 versus 11131, or -36.4%. Extended instructions follow with 22776 versus 14264, a -37.4% gap. The most extreme difference appears in find prime numbers, where the AMD records 199 versus the Intel's 77, a -61.3% delta. Integer math also favors the AMD heavily: 79108 versus 60462, a -23.6% gap. Multithread performance shows a -30.7% difference (26825 versus 18597), and physics testing gives a -25.4% margin (1788 versus 1333). Random string sorting is another large gap: 36191 versus 21499, or -40.6%.

Two Passmark tests show smaller but still decisive leads for the AMD. Floating point math sees the AMD at 47176 versus 45383, a -3.8% delta, and single-thread performance is 3841 versus 3595, a -6.4% gap. The database also lists 3DMark scores for the AMD (including 16-thread, 2-thread, 4-thread, 8-thread, max-thread, and single-thread results), but no corresponding Intel scores are present, so those are not part of the head-to-head comparison.

The overall picture is clear: the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F outperforms the Intel Core 5 120 in every common benchmark. The largest margins occur in integer-heavy and encryption tasks, while the smallest are in floating point and single-thread workloads. The Intel part does not win a single comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 18 MB.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F supports only DDR5.

Q: Which CPU includes an integrated GPU?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core 5 120 does not.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120 does not.

Where Each One Wins

In every head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F outperforms the Intel Core 5 120. The AMD part leads by margins ranging from 3.8% in floating point math to 61.3% in prime number finding. The Intel part does not win any of the 17 comparisons. However, the Intel Core 5 120 offers features that may be decisive for certain use cases: it includes an integrated GPU, supports DDR4 memory, and has a launch MSRP of $211, while the AMD has a launch MSRP of $179. The AMD, in turn, provides an unlocked multiplier and ECC memory support, which are not available on the Intel.

For workloads that rely on the integrated GPU or require DDR4 compatibility, the Intel Core 5 120 may be the only option among the two. For all measured performance benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F is the clear winner.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 120 | AMD Ryzen 5 7500F |

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

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.50 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 4 |

| Process node | 10 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 6,570 million |

| Die size | 163 mm² | 71 mm² |

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

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

| L3 cache | 18 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not specified | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | None |

| Release date | 2025-07-30 | 2023-07-21 |

| Launch MSRP | $211 | $179 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SA35V | 100-000000597 |

Both processors share the same core count (6), thread count (12), TDP (65W), market segment (Desktop), and production status (Active). The database also lists an average benchmark score of 25362 for the Intel and 24964 for the AMD, though the head-to-head results show a different picture.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Core 5 120 uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F uses Zen 4, codenamed Raphael, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. This process difference is reflected in the die sizes: the Intel die measures 163 mm², while the AMD die is 71 mm². The AMD also lists 6,570 million transistors, while the Intel does not specify a transistor count.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. The Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while the AMD has 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2. The L3 cache is larger on the AMD: 32 MB shared versus 18 MB shared on the Intel. Memory support also diverges: the Intel accepts both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD is limited to DDR5. The AMD has a specified memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Intel does not list a figure. ECC memory is supported on the AMD but not on the Intel.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Intel provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD provides 24. The Intel includes an integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD has no integrated graphics. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the Intel does not. The release dates also differ: the Intel launched on 2025-07-30, while the AMD launched on 2023-07-21.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons. Its lead is consistent across Cinebench and Passmark, with particularly large margins in integer-heavy and encryption tasks. The Intel Core 5 120, however, brings integrated graphics and DDR4 support, which may be essential for certain system builds. Users who need an iGPU or plan to reuse DDR4 memory should consider the Intel part. Those who prioritize raw performance in the tested workloads should choose the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F. The AMD also offers an unlocked multiplier and ECC memory support, which are additional advantages for overclocking and error-correcting memory configurations.