AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive performance gap between the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D and the Intel Core 5 120UL. Across the eleven head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the AMD processor wins all eleven. The largest margin appears in the prime number search test, where the Ryzen 5 7500X3D scores 221 against 47 for the Intel part, a 370.2% advantage. Extended instruction workloads follow closely, with the AMD chip at 20455 versus 5203, a 293.1% lead. Physics simulation results show a 244.4% difference, with scores of 2779 and 807 respectively.

The multithreaded PassMark score places the Ryzen 5 7500X3D at 25047, which is 137.2% ahead of the Intel Core 5 120UL's 10558. Data compression performance follows a similar pattern: 271649 for AMD against 109090 for Intel, a 149% delta. Random string sorting shows a 142.5% gap, with scores of 32999 and 13610. The encryption test records 15797 for the AMD chip versus 7685 for the Intel chip, a 105.6% difference.

Integer math workloads produce a 70774 score for the AMD processor and 38060 for the Intel processor, an 86% gap. Floating point math shows a smaller but still substantial 65.7% difference, with 43594 against 26311. The single-thread score for the AMD processor is 3494, which is 68% above the Intel processor's 2080. This single-thread result is particularly important because the Intel chip has a higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz compared to 4.50 GHz for the AMD chip, yet the AMD architecture still delivers a large per-thread advantage in the recorded data.

The average benchmark score in the database places the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D at 44573, while the Intel Core 5 120UL averages 13594. The AMD chip sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits at the 68th percentile. The AMD processor's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H at 44466 (0.2% behind), the Intel Core i9-13950HX at 44342 (0.5% behind), the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 at 44309 (0.6% behind), and the Intel Core i5-14600 at 44889 (0.7% ahead). The Intel Core 5 120UL, by contrast, competes with the Intel Core i3-12100F at 13494 (0.7% ahead), the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 (0.8% ahead), the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 (1.1% ahead), and the Intel Core 3 304 at 13745 (1.1% behind). These rival placements confirm that the two processors occupy entirely different performance tiers in the database.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is the stronger processor in every measured workload. The benchmark results show no category where the Intel Core 5 120UL records a win. The AMD chip leads by double-digit percentages in all shared tests, and in several tests the margin exceeds 200%. The average benchmark score of 44573 for the AMD processor is more than three times the 13594 recorded for the Intel processor. The AMD chip also holds a higher percentile ranking at 89 compared to 68 for the Intel part.

The Intel Core 5 120UL does have advantages in the specification sheet, although these do not translate into benchmark wins. It uses a 10 nm process node from Intel, while the AMD chip uses a 5 nm node from TSMC. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the AMD chip only supports DDR5. The Intel chip has a lower TDP of 15 watts against 65 watts for the AMD chip, and its boost clock is slightly higher at 4.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. These differences are real, but the recorded performance data does not show any corresponding benefit for the Intel processor in the benchmark suite.

For a buyer choosing strictly from the data, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is the clear pick for any workload represented in the benchmark set. The Intel Core 5 120UL may appeal in scenarios where its lower power envelope matters, but the database contains no benchmark result that favors it.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D wins in every benchmark category recorded in the head-to-head comparison. The largest margins appear in compute-heavy tasks: prime number search (370.2%), extended instructions (293.1%), and physics (244.4%). These results suggest the AMD architecture handles complex mathematical and scientific workloads with particular efficiency. The multithreaded score of 25047 versus 10558 reinforces that the AMD chip is better suited for parallel workloads. The single-thread score of 3494 versus 2080 indicates the AMD chip also leads in lightly threaded applications.

The Intel Core 5 120UL does not win any benchmark category in the database. Its specification sheet shows a lower TDP of 15 watts, which is 50 watts below the AMD part. This makes the Intel chip the lower-power option on paper. The Intel part also supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, which could matter for platform compatibility. However, the recorded data provides no benchmark-based use case where the Intel processor comes out ahead.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D delivers a 68% single-thread advantage and a 137.2% multithreaded advantage. Both figures point to the same conclusion: the AMD processor is the better choice for general computing, content creation, and any workload that scales with CPU throughput. The Intel processor's role in the database is as a lower-power alternative, but its performance metrics place it in a different class.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D in multithreaded workloads?

A: The AMD chip scores 25047 in the PassMark multithread test, which is 137.2% higher than the Intel Core 5 120UL's 10558.

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D records a single-thread score of 3494, which is 68% above the Intel Core 5 120UL's 2080.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has an average benchmark score of 44573, while the Intel Core 5 120UL averages 13594.

Q: How do the two processors compare in data compression?

A: The AMD chip scores 271649 in the PassMark data compression test, which is 149% higher than the Intel chip's 109090.

Q: Which processor has the larger cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename, while the Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename. The AMD chip uses a 5 nm process node from TSMC, and the Intel chip uses a 10 nm node from Intel. The AMD processor has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel processor has 10 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD chip wins all benchmarks, which indicates that its per-core efficiency and large cache are significant factors.

The cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 120UL has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip's 96 MB L3 cache is eight times larger than the Intel chip's 12 MB L3 cache. This difference likely contributes to the AMD processor's large leads in memory-sensitive workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D uses the AMD Socket AM5 platform and supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. The AMD processor provides PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel processor provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The AMD chip includes integrated Radeon Graphics, and the Intel chip includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD processor has a launch MSRP of $269.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120UL has a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The AMD chip has a TDP of 65 watts, and the Intel chip has a TDP of 15 watts. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket AM5, and the Intel processor uses the Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip is from the 7000 series with the Raphael codename, and the Intel chip uses the Raptor Lake-PS codename. The AMD processor is manufactured by AMD using a 5 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel processor is manufactured by Intel using a 10 nm process.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D supports DDR5 memory exclusively, while the Intel Core 5 120UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, and the Intel chip does not. The AMD processor provides PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes, and the Intel processor provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. The AMD chip's integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics, and the Intel chip's integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD processor was released on 2025-11-11, and the Intel processor was released on 2024-04-07. The AMD part number is 100-000001904, and the Intel part number is unknown. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.