AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D and Intel Core 5 120 are desktop processors that both sit at the 77th percentile in the database, yet they reach that position through different designs. The Ryzen 7 5700X3D is an 8-core, 16-thread Zen 3 part with a 96 MB L3 cache, while the Core 5 120 is a 6-core, 12-thread Raptor Lake part with an 18 MB L3 cache and a higher 4.50 GHz boost clock. The AMD chip averages 24709 across all recorded benchmarks, while the Intel chip averages 25362. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Ryzen 5 7600X3D at 24728 (0.1% difference) and the Ryzen 9 5900HX at 24822 (0.5% difference). The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Ryzen 5 5600X3D at 25365 (0% difference) and the Core i7-11700KF at 25423 (0.2% difference). Head-to-head, the AMD chip wins 15 recorded tests while the Intel chip wins 2.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D dominates multi-threaded and cache-sensitive workloads. It wins every Cinebench test in the database, including R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multi-core variants, with margins between 22.5% and 22.8%. It also wins all but one PassMark test. The largest AMD advantages appear in prime number finding (190.9% ahead), physics simulation (101.5% ahead), and data encryption (68.8% ahead). These results point to a processor that excels when the workload can use all 8 cores and 16 threads, or when the 96 MB L3 cache reduces memory traffic. The data compression test also favors AMD heavily at 39.9% ahead, and integer math goes to AMD by 34.4%.

The Intel Core 5 120 wins exactly one unique test: PassMark single-thread, where it scores 3595 versus 2970, a 17.4% advantage. This is a meaningful result for applications that depend on a single thread, but it is the only recorded area of Intel superiority. The Intel chip also carries integrated UHD Graphics 730, which the AMD chip lacks, so systems built around the Intel part do not require a discrete GPU for basic display output. The Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.10 GHz is the likely driver of its single-thread win.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and design generations. The AMD chip uses Zen 3 on a 7 nm TSMC process, with 8,850 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The Intel chip uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm Intel process, with a 163 mm² die and no recorded transistor count. The smaller process node and die size give the AMD chip a density advantage, though the Intel chip compensates with a higher boost clock.

Cache architecture is the most striking difference. The AMD chip has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus 96 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, plus 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's 96 MB L3 is far larger than the Intel chip's 18 MB L3, which explains its strong showing in cache-sensitive workloads like data compression and prime number finding. The Intel chip's larger per-core L1 and L2 help its single-thread performance, but the smaller L3 limits its ability to keep large working sets on-die.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD chip supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though its bandwidth is not recorded. ECC memory is supported on the AMD chip but not on the Intel chip. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD chip provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Intel chip provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Intel chip's Gen 5 support offers higher bandwidth per lane, but the AMD chip has more total lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 22366 versus 18255, a 22.5% lead. In R23 single-core, it scores 3157 versus 2577, also 22.5%. The pattern repeats in R20 (9393 vs 7667, 22.5%) and R15 (2254 vs 1840, 22.5% multi-core; 318 vs 259, 22.8% single-core). The AMD chip is faster in every Cinebench test, and the margin is nearly identical across the board, suggesting a consistent architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark results show a wider spread. The AMD chip leads by 39.9% in data compression (307237 vs 219535), 68.8% in data encryption (18788 vs 11131), 48.6% in extended instructions (21202 vs 14264), 34.4% in integer math (81257 vs 60462), and 41.5% in multithread (26318 vs 18597). The physics test shows a 101.5% lead (2686 vs 1333), and prime number finding shows a 190.9% lead (224 vs 77). Floating point math is the closest AMD win at 2.4% (46492 vs 45383). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 46.5% (31492 vs 21499).

The single Intel win is PassMark single-thread, where the Core 5 120 scores 3595 versus 2970, a 17.4% advantage. This is the only test where the Intel chip's higher boost clock translates into a win, and it is recorded twice in the database under slightly different test names. The magnitude of the Intel single-thread win is notable, but it does not offset the AMD chip's broad lead across the other 15 tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for AMD and 2.50 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks are 4.10 GHz for AMD and 4.50 GHz for Intel. TDP is 105 W for AMD and 65 W for Intel.

Sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket AM4, Intel uses Socket 1700. The AMD chip is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, the Intel chip on a 10 nm process at Intel. Die size is 74 mm² for AMD and 163 mm² for Intel. Transistor count is recorded only for AMD at 8,850 million.

Cache layouts differ: AMD has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 96 MB shared L3; Intel has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core with 18 MB shared L3. Memory support: AMD is DDR4-only with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth; Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with no recorded bandwidth. ECC is supported on AMD only. PCIe: AMD has Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: none on AMD, UHD Graphics 730 on Intel.

Release dates differ: the AMD chip launched on 2024-01-07, the Intel chip on 2025-07-30. Both have locked multipliers. The AMD launch MSRP was $249, the Intel launch MSRP was $211.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D wins every multi-threaded test in the database. It leads by 22.5% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (22366 vs 18255) and by 41.5% in PassMark multithread (26318 vs 18597).

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 120 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3595 versus 2970, a 17.4% advantage. That is its only recorded win.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The AMD chip has 96 MB shared L3, while the Intel chip has 18 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has 512 KB L2 per core versus 1.25 MB L2 per core on Intel, and 64 KB L1 per core versus 80 KB L1 per core.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 120 supports DDR5, along with DDR4. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D supports DDR4 only.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do the two compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 25362, versus 24709 for the AMD chip. Both sit at the 77th percentile among all CPUs.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D is the stronger processor for almost every recorded workload. It wins 15 head-to-head tests while the Intel chip wins 2, with margins ranging from 2.4% in floating point math to 190.9% in prime number finding. Its 96 MB L3 cache and 8-core, 16-thread configuration make it the pick for multi-threaded productivity, content creation, and cache-sensitive tasks. The AMD chip's nearest rivals in the database, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and Ryzen 9 5900HX, sit within 0.5% of its average score, confirming it is competitive within its own ecosystem.

The Intel Core 5 120 is the choice only if single-threaded PassMark performance is the priority, where it leads by 17.4%. It also offers DDR5 support, integrated graphics, and a lower 65 W TDP, which may matter for certain builds. Its average benchmark score is slightly higher (25362 vs 24709), but that is driven by the single-thread win and does not reflect the overall workload coverage. The Intel chip's nearest rivals, the Ryzen 5 5600X3D and Core i7-11700KF, sit within 0.2% of its average score.

For most builders, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D is the better choice based on the recorded data. The Intel chip makes sense for a system that needs an iGPU, DDR5, or maximum single-thread PassMark performance.