AMD Ryzen 5 7640U vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U and Intel Core 5 120 are both six-core, twelve-thread processors, yet they target fundamentally different platforms and deliver contrasting performance profiles. Benchmark data reveals a clear split: the Ryzen 5 7640U dominates in data-heavy and encryption workloads, while the Intel Core 5 120 excels in floating-point math, physics, and synthetic single-threaded tests. With 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Intel chip claims 11 wins to the AMD chip's 6, but the magnitude of AMD's victories in specific areas is often larger, creating a nuanced picture for potential buyers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 establishes its advantage across the Cinebench suite, winning all six multi-core and single-core tests by narrow margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 18255 against the Ryzen's 17936, a 1.7% lead; single-core R23 shows a similar 1.7% edge at 2577 versus 2532. These Cinebench wins are consistent but slim, indicating that the Intel part holds a slight overall rendering performance advantage. Beyond Cinebench, the Intel chip also wins PassMark's floating-point math by 9.5% (45383 vs 41093) and physics by 12.3% (1333 vs 1169), suggesting stronger performance in scientific and simulation workloads that rely heavily on FPU throughput. Its single-thread PassMark score of 3595 is 2% higher than the AMD's 3524, reinforcing a pattern of modest single-core superiority.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U, conversely, wins where memory bandwidth and integer operations matter most. Its most dramatic victory is in random-string-sorting, where it scores 29382 against Intel's 21499 — a massive 36.7% lead. Data encryption shows a 34.3% advantage (14954 vs 11131), and data compression follows at 9.3% (240032 vs 219535). The Ryzen also leads in integer math by 16.6% (70483 vs 60462) and in the PassMark multithread score by 13.5% (21115 vs 18597). Extended instructions, a workload sensitive to SIMD and crypto extensions, goes to AMD by 19.3% (17019 vs 14264). These results point to a processor that is particularly efficient at moving and transforming data, likely benefiting from its newer Zen 4 architecture and higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

The Verdict

The data suggests the Intel Core 5 120 is the better choice for users prioritizing general rendering performance, physics simulations, and floating-point-heavy tasks. Its consistent wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 — despite margins under 2% — make it the safer option for content creation workflows that rely on these specific benchmarks. The 12.3% physics lead and 9.5% floating-point advantage further cement its position for engineering and scientific applications. Additionally, its higher single-thread PassMark score of 3595 gives it a slight edge in lightly threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U is the superior processor for data-centric workloads and multi-threaded integer tasks. Its 34.3% encryption lead and 36.7% random-string-sorting advantage indicate that database operations, file compression, and cryptographic tasks will run noticeably faster. The 13.5% multithread score lead over Intel is significant, suggesting better overall throughput in heavily parallel integer workloads despite losing the Cinebench multi-core tests. For users who handle large datasets, run virtual machines, or perform frequent file archiving, the Ryzen 5 7640U offers compelling performance. Its lower 15W TDP, compared to Intel's 65W, also implies greater energy efficiency, though the Intel part runs at a higher 2.50 GHz base clock versus 3.50 GHz for AMD.

Both processors occupy the 77th and 78th percentiles respectively among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores within 0.5% of each other (25485 for AMD vs 25362 for Intel). The choice ultimately depends on workload: rendering and physics favor Intel, data manipulation and encryption favor AMD.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest AMD victories are concentrated in PassMark's data-processing tests. Random-string-sorting shows a 36.7% delta, with AMD at 29382 and Intel at 21499. Data encryption follows closely at 34.3% (14954 vs 11131), a substantial gap that would translate to faster disk encryption or secure communication processing. Extended instructions show a 19.3% lead (17019 vs 14264), and integer math is 16.6% ahead (70483 vs 60462). The PassMark multithread score, which aggregates many workloads, favors AMD by 13.5% (21115 vs 18597), while data compression is 9.3% higher (240032 vs 219535).

Intel's wins are generally smaller but cover more categories. The most notable is physics, where Intel leads by 12.3% (1333 vs 1169). Floating-point math gives Intel a 9.5% edge (45383 vs 41093). The Cinebench results are all within 1.8% — for instance, R15 multi-core (1840 vs 1807), R20 multi-core (7667 vs 7533), and R23 multi-core (18255 vs 17936). Single-core Cinebench tests show similar 1.5-1.8% leads for Intel. The find-prime-numbers test goes to Intel by 3.9% (77 vs 74), and single-thread PassMark shows a 2% lead (3595 vs 3524). The narrow Cinebench margins suggest that AMD's Zen 4 architecture is nearly competitive in rendering, but the broader PassMark suite reveals where each architecture's strengths truly lie.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins with a score of 18255, which is 1.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U's 17936.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip at data encryption?

A: The Ryzen 5 7640U scores 14954 in PassMark data encryption, which is 34.3% higher than Intel's 11131.

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-thread PassMark score?

A: Intel leads with 3595, a 2% advantage over AMD's 3524.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U has an average score of 25485, while the Intel Core 5 120 averages 25362, a difference of 0.5% in AMD's favor.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any multi-core tests?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 7640U wins the PassMark multithread test with 21115, beating Intel's 18597 by 13.5%. It also wins integer math (70483 vs 60462) and data compression (240032 vs 219535).

Q: Which processor has a larger lead in its strongest benchmark?

A: AMD's 36.7% lead in random-string-sorting is the largest margin of any test, exceeding Intel's biggest win of 12.3% in physics.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 178 mm² and 25,000 million transistors. It is built on the Phoenix codename and uses the AMD Socket FP8. In contrast, the Intel Core 5 120 is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a 163 mm² die size. The manufacturing difference is significant: TSMC's 4 nm node is substantially more advanced than Intel's 10 nm, which likely explains the AMD chip's lower 15W TDP despite a higher 3.50 GHz base clock.

Cache configurations differ notably. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel's layout uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 18 MB of shared L3. The extra L3 cache on Intel (18 MB vs 16 MB) may contribute to its Cinebench wins, while AMD's smaller but more efficient cache hierarchy appears better suited for data-compression tasks. Memory support also splits: AMD supports only DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, though its memory bandwidth is not listed. AMD includes ECC memory support, which Intel lacks, making the Ryzen more suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

The integrated graphics differ as well, with AMD featuring the Radeon 760M and Intel the UHD Graphics 730. PCIe connectivity varies: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The AMD part is classified as a mobile processor, while Intel is a desktop chip, explaining the TDP disparity (15W vs 65W) and socket differences (FP8 vs Socket 1700).

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical at 6 cores and 12 threads, but clock speeds diverge. AMD's base clock is 3.50 GHz with a 4.90 GHz boost, while Intel runs at 2.50 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. The higher boost clock on AMD (4.90 vs 4.50) does not translate to single-thread wins, suggesting Intel's architecture extracts more performance per clock in those tests. TDP is a major differentiator: AMD draws 15W versus Intel's 65W, making the Ryzen substantially more power-efficient for sustained workloads.

Memory support is a key split, with AMD limited to DDR5 and Intel offering both DDR4 and DDR5 compatibility. AMD's memory bandwidth is specified at 89.6 GB/s, while Intel's is not listed; AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. PCIe generation favors Intel at Gen 5, though AMD has more lanes (20 vs 16). The process node difference is stark: 4 nm for AMD versus 10 nm for Intel. Cache sizes differ per core, with Intel having larger L1 (80 KB vs 64 KB) and L2 (1.25 MB vs 1 MB) allocations, and a larger total L3 (18 MB vs 16 MB). The integrated GPU is Radeon 760M on AMD and UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. Release dates differ significantly: AMD launched on May 2, 2023, while Intel's launch date is July 30, 2025. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $211, while AMD's is not listed. Production status is active for both.