AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in the Cinebench R23 test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS scores 12342 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 85.3% higher than the Intel Core 5 120U's 6659. This is the largest performance gap between the two processors in any benchmark.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 120U compare in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U wins every single-core comparison. It leads by 28.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (245 vs. 175), by 21.2% in PassMark single-thread (3479 vs. 2740), and by 0.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1756.5 vs. 1742).

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS has an average benchmark score of 19364, while the Intel Core 5 120U averages 17898. The AMD chip sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, and the Intel chip sits at the 72nd percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores versus 6 cores for the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS, though both have 12 threads. The Intel chip also has a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz versus 4.40 GHz for the AMD part.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS uses the Radeon 660M, while the Intel Core 5 120U features Iris Xe Graphics with 80EU. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS wins 5. However, the AMD wins include the dominant Cinebench R23 multi-core result.

The Verdict

The data separates these two mobile processors into distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS delivers substantially stronger sustained multi-core throughput in the most demanding rendering workload, with the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12342 representing an 85.3% advantage. This makes it the clear choice for workloads that stress all cores simultaneously over longer durations.

The Intel Core 5 120U counters with superior single-thread performance across every measured test, including a 28.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and a 21.2% lead in PassMark single-thread. Its lower 15 W TDP against the AMD's 35 W also positions it as the more power-efficient option for lighter tasks.

Users prioritizing maximum multi-core rendering performance should select the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS. Users who need faster single-thread response, higher clock speeds, and lower power draw should select the Intel Core 5 120U. The overall average benchmark scores place the AMD part slightly higher at 19364 versus 17898, but the Intel chip wins more individual tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single benchmark victory belongs to the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 12342 against the Intel Core 5 120U's 6659, a margin of 85.3%. This result indicates the AMD processor's 6-core, 12-thread configuration with Zen 3+ architecture handles heavily threaded rendering workloads with far greater efficiency.

The Intel Core 5 120U establishes its dominance in single-threaded tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel chip scores 245 versus 175 for the AMD, a 28.6% advantage. PassMark single-thread shows a 21.2% gap in favor of Intel at 3479 versus 2740. The Cinebench R20 single-core result is closer, with Intel ahead by 3.2% (755 vs. 731), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel ahead by just 0.8% (1756.5 vs. 1742).

Floating-point math performance favors Intel significantly. The PassMark floating-point math test shows Intel at 36026 versus AMD's 27800, a 22.8% difference. Intel also wins PassMark physics by 12.4% (937 vs. 821) and PassMark random string sorting by 7.3% (19060 vs. 17669).

The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS wins several specialized PassMark tests despite losing the overall count. Extended instructions show AMD ahead by 20.6% (11219 vs. 9299). Data encryption favors AMD by 2.5% (10718 vs. 10453), and data compression favors AMD by 1.4% (168692 vs. 166432).

Cinebench R20 multi-core is one of the few tests where Intel wins a multi-threaded workload, scoring 5349 versus AMD's 5183, a 3.1% margin. PassMark multithread also goes to Intel at 15042 versus 14520, a 3.5% difference. PassMark integer math shows Intel ahead by 2.8% (52280 vs. 50800), and PassMark find prime numbers shows Intel ahead by 9.4% (53 vs. 48).

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their core configurations. The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120U uses 10 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part matches the thread count due to simultaneous multithreading.

Clock speeds differ notably. The AMD processor has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel processor has a much lower base clock of 1.40 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Power consumption varies substantially. The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS has a TDP of 35 W, while the Intel Core 5 120U operates at 15 W. This makes the Intel chip the lower-power option by a wide margin.

Socket compatibility separates the two entirely. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel processor uses Intel BGA 1744. Neither is socket-compatible with the other.

Memory support differs in scope. The AMD chip supports DDR5 only, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The AMD processor lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel processor does not have a listed bandwidth figure.

PCIe lane counts differ. The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel Core 5 120U provides 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS belongs to the 7000 series and uses the Zen 3+ architecture under the Rembrandt-R codename. It is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 208 mm². The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel.

Cache hierarchies differ in both capacity and allocation. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

The release timeline shows the Intel Core 5 120U launched on January 7, 2024, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS launched on August 31, 2024. Both processors remain in active production. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The AMD processor's part numbers are 100-000001632 (FP7) and 100-000001634 (FP7r2), while the Intel processor uses part number SRM7P.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS wins in scenarios that demand heavy multi-core rendering. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12342, which is 85.3% higher than the Intel competitor's, makes it the stronger option for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other workloads that scale across all cores for extended periods. The AMD chip also wins data compression, data encryption, and extended instruction workloads, suggesting advantages in security-related processing and SIMD-heavy tasks.

The Intel Core 5 120U wins in single-threaded and lightly threaded applications. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock and 28.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate faster response in everyday tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and application launch times. The PassMark single-thread score of 3479 confirms this advantage. The Intel chip also wins floating-point math by 22.8%, physics by 12.4%, and random string sorting by 7.3%, making it the better choice for scientific calculations, physics simulations, and data sorting operations.

The Intel Core 5 120U additionally wins the PassMark multithread test at 15042 versus 14520, and Cinebench R20 multi-core at 5349 versus 5183, showing that its 10-core configuration can outperform the AMD part in certain multi-threaded workloads despite losing decisively in Cinebench R23. The Intel chip's 15 W TDP also gives it a power efficiency advantage for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal management take priority.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS has the higher overall average benchmark score at 19364 compared to 17898 for the Intel chip, and sits at the 73rd percentile versus the 72nd percentile for the Intel part. Users needing maximum multi-core rendering performance should choose the AMD processor. Users needing faster single-thread performance and lower power consumption should choose the Intel processor.