AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the two processors. The Intel Core 5 120 wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE takes 5. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this: the AMD part records 25880 points against 25362 for Intel, a narrow margin that masks the very different strengths each chip shows in individual workloads.

The most lopsided results come from Cinebench. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Core 5 120 leads by a consistent 15.1% to 15.2%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel chip scores 18255 against 15504 for the AMD part, a 15.1% deficit. Single-core results follow the same pattern: Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 2577 for Intel versus 2188 for AMD, again a 15.1% gap. The R15 and R20 runs are equally uniform, with the Intel processor ahead by 15.1% in both multicore and singlecore variants. This consistency suggests a fundamental per-clock advantage for the Intel design rather than workload-specific behavior.

PassMark Physics is the single largest delta in the entire comparison. The Intel Core 5 120 scores 1333 against 648 for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE, a 51.4% advantage. This is the only test where the gap exceeds 50%. Prime number finding also goes decisively to Intel: 77 versus 49, a 36.4% lead. Floating point math favors Intel by 15.8% (45383 versus 38204), and the multithread PassMark test shows a smaller Intel edge of 2.9% (18597 versus 18057). PassMark single thread puts Intel ahead by 9.9% at 3595 versus 3240.

The AMD processor, however, posts decisive wins in several data-oriented workloads. Data encryption is its best result: 14509 versus 11131, a 30.3% lead. Integer math goes to AMD by 11.8% (67582 versus 60462). Random string sorting favors AMD by 10.6% (23769 versus 21499), and extended instructions by 10.2% (15714 versus 14264). Data compression is the closest AMD win at 3.9% (228037 versus 219535). These are not marginal victories; the encryption and integer math deltas are substantial and point to architectural efficiency in specific instruction paths.

The average benchmark scores place both chips near the 50th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE sits at the 78th percentile, while the Intel Core 5 120 sits at the 77th. The nearest rivals in the database confirm this tight grouping: the AMD part trades within 0.5% of the Intel Core i7-11700K, the AMD Ryzen 5 230, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, and the Intel Core i7-14701TE. The Intel Core 5 120 sits within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D, the Intel Core i7-11700KF, the Intel Core i5-13400F, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U. Both processors are firmly in the same performance tier, but they achieve that tier through very different means.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 dominates rendering and physics-style workloads. Every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, singlecore and multicore, goes to Intel with the same 15.1% to 15.2% margin. The PassMark physics result is the standout: 51.4% ahead. Prime number finding is another clear Intel strength at 36.4% ahead. Floating point math adds to the Intel column with a 15.8% lead. For users running CPU-bound rendering, physics simulation, or floating point heavy calculations, the recorded data points firmly toward the Intel chip. The multithread PassMark score, while closer at 2.9%, still favors Intel, so even general multithreaded throughput leans slightly in its direction.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE wins where data manipulation and cryptography are involved. Data encryption shows a 30.3% advantage, the largest AMD win in the entire table. Integer math is strong at 11.8% ahead, and random string sorting adds 10.6%. Extended instructions, a category that covers SIMD-style workloads, goes to AMD by 10.2%. Data compression, the closest AMD win, still shows a 3.9% edge. These results suggest the AMD architecture handles integer heavy, encryption heavy, and string manipulation tasks with greater efficiency than the Intel chip, even though the Intel part wins the overall multithread score.

The single-thread picture also favors Intel. PassMark single thread shows 3595 versus 3240, a 9.9% lead. The Cinebench singlecore results repeat that advantage at roughly 15.1%. This means the Intel Core 5 120 has a clear edge in lightly threaded applications and everyday responsiveness metrics, while the AMD processor counters with specialized throughput in specific data workloads. Users should weigh which workload category matters more to them, since the two chips rarely trade blows within the same benchmark family; they win in distinct clusters.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward selection based on workload. The Intel Core 5 120 is the better choice for Cinebench style rendering, physics simulation, prime number searching, and floating point math. Its 15.1% lead across the entire Cinebench suite, combined with a 51.4% physics advantage and a 36.4% prime number edge, makes it the stronger all-round performer for compute-heavy desktop tasks. The multithread PassMark win, though modest at 2.9%, reinforces the Intel advantage in general throughput.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is the pick for encryption, integer math, and data processing workloads. Its 30.3% encryption lead and 11.8% integer math advantage are substantial. Random string sorting and extended instructions also favor AMD by roughly 10%. The data compression win, while smaller at 3.9%, still adds to a pattern where the AMD chip excels at moving and transforming data rather than raw number crunching.

For buyers who prioritize single-thread performance, the Intel part is ahead by 9.9% in PassMark single thread and by roughly 15.1% in Cinebench singlecore. For buyers who prioritize encryption or integer throughput, the AMD part is the clear winner. The average scores are close enough that neither chip is a universal recommendation; the correct choice depends entirely on the intended workload. The Intel Core 5 120 has a launch MSRP of $211, but the database shows the AMD part is no less competitive in its winning categories.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255 versus 15504 for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE, a 15.1% lead for Intel.

Q: Where does the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE have its biggest advantage?

A: In PassMark data encryption, where it scores 14509 against 11131 for Intel, a 30.3% lead.

Q: How do the two compare in PassMark single thread?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 scores 3595 versus 3240 for AMD, a 9.9% lead.

Q: Which processor has the larger overall benchmark average?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE records an average benchmark score of 25880, while the Intel Core 5 120 records 25362.

Q: Is the Intel Core 5 120 faster in physics workloads?

A: Yes, significantly. It scores 1333 in PassMark physics versus 648 for AMD, a 51.4% advantage.

Q: How many tests does each processor win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins 12 tests, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE wins 5 tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design lineages. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses the Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 120 uses Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 163 mm² die size. The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ notably. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the Intel part is a significant structural difference, doubling its L2 capacity per core compared to the AMD design.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD processor supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, though its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. ECC memory is supported on the AMD chip but not on the Intel chip. Both processors are locked, with no unlocked multiplier.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The AMD chip provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are present on both: the AMD part uses Radeon Vega 7, and the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730.

Specification Differences

The two processors share a core and thread count: both have 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clocks differ, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE running at 3.40 GHz and the Intel Core 5 120 at 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks are nearly identical, with the AMD chip at 4.40 GHz and the Intel chip at 4.50 GHz. Both have a 65 TDP.

The sockets are incompatible. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700. The process nodes differ: 7 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The AMD chip is a 5000 series part from the Ryzen 5 generation, while the Intel chip carries the Core 5 label from the Raptor Lake Refresh generation. The AMD part was released on 2024-05-06, and the Intel part on 2025-07-30. The AMD part has a part number of 100-000001514, and the Intel part is SA35V. The Intel processor has a launch MSRP of $211, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part.