AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, which wins 14 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons. The single exception is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core 5 120 posts a 13.5% higher score (2577 versus 2228). That win is notable, but it is the only time the Intel part leads in the recorded tests.

The largest margins come in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark's find prime numbers test, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 435 against 77 for the Intel Core 5 120, a 464.9% advantage. PassMark extended instructions shows a 175.3% lead (39272 versus 14264), and PassMark physics shows a 212.9% lead (4171 versus 1333). These are not narrow wins; the AMD processor is operating in a different performance class for these tasks.

Multi-threaded performance heavily favors the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D. Cinebench R23 multicore results show 22807 versus 18255, a 24.9% delta. The older Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a 93% delta (3551 versus 1840), and PassMark multithread shows a 122.2% delta (41318 versus 18597). The AMD part also leads PassMark integer math by 103.7% (123140 versus 60462) and floating-point math by 80.7% (81998 versus 45383).

Memory-related and data-intensive tests follow the same pattern. PassMark data compression shows 474501 versus 219535, a 116.1% delta. PassMark data encryption shows 22856 versus 11131, a 105.3% delta. PassMark random string sorting shows 49764 versus 21499, a 131.5% delta.

Single-thread performance is closer in most metrics. PassMark single-thread shows 4704 versus 3595, a 30.8% delta for the AMD part. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 343 versus 259, a 32.4% delta. The only single-thread test where Intel wins is Cinebench R23 single-core, which is an anomaly in an otherwise consistent pattern of AMD dominance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins in every workload category except one. It is the clear choice for heavily multithreaded applications, with Cinebench R23 multicore, Cinebench R15 multicore, and PassMark multithread all showing substantial leads. It also dominates data processing tasks: compression, encryption, and random string sorting all show triple-digit percentage advantages.

The AMD part's strongest showing is in extended instruction workloads, where it scores 39272 versus 14264, a 175.3% gap. This suggests the Zen 5 architecture handles AVX-class instructions with far greater efficiency than the Raptor Lake design in the Intel Core 5 120. Physics simulation also favors AMD heavily, with a 212.9% delta.

The Intel Core 5 120 wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core. That score of 2577 is 13.5% higher than the AMD part's 2228. This indicates that for a narrow set of lightly threaded, single-core rendering tasks, the Intel processor has an advantage. However, this is the only benchmark in the entire dataset where the Intel part takes the lead.

For integer math, floating-point math, and prime number finding, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D delivers between 80.7% and 464.9% higher scores. The scale of these wins means the AMD part is not just faster, it is categorically more capable in compute-intensive scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58386, while the Intel Core 5 120 has an average of 25362.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 22807, which is 24.9% higher than the Intel Core 5 120's 18255.

Q: In which test does the Intel Core 5 120 outperform the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 2577 versus 2228, a 13.5% advantage.

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D ranks in the 92nd percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 120 ranks in the 77th percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark delta between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D leads by 464.9% (435 versus 77).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 4.70 GHz for the AMD part and 2.50 GHz for the Intel part. Boost clocks are 5.60 GHz and 4.50 GHz, respectively.

Thermal design power differs significantly: the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has a TDP of 120, while the Intel Core 5 120 has a TDP of 65. The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part is multiplier-unlocked, while the Intel part is locked.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both have 80 KB L1 cache per core, but the AMD part has 1 MB L2 per core and 96 MB shared L3, while the Intel part has 1.25 MB L2 per core and 18 MB shared L3.

Memory support also differs. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D supports DDR5 only with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC memory support. The Intel Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, no ECC support, and no listed memory bandwidth figure.

PCIe lanes differ as well: the AMD part offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the AMD part has Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part has UHD Graphics 730.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename from the 9000 series. The Intel Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename from the Core 5 generation.

Manufacturing processes differ. The AMD part is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel part is built on a 10 nm process at Intel. Die size reflects this: the AMD part measures 70.6 mm², while the Intel part measures 163 mm². The AMD part has 8,315 million transistors; no transistor count is recorded for the Intel part.

The L3 cache difference is the most striking architectural gap. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 96 MB shared L3, which is more than five times the 18 MB shared L3 on the Intel Core 5 120. L2 cache per core is slightly larger on the Intel part (1.25 MB versus 1 MB), but the total cache footprint heavily favors AMD.

Release dates differ: the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D was released on 2026-01-28, while the Intel Core 5 120 was released on 2025-07-30. The AMD part's launch MSRP is $499, while the Intel part's launch MSRP is $211.

The AMD part uses TSMC as the foundry, while the Intel part uses Intel's own foundry. The AMD part also has a different part number (100-000001973) versus the Intel part's SA35V.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the stronger processor in 14 of 15 benchmark comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 58386 versus 25362 for the Intel Core 5 120. The AMD part sits in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits in the 77th percentile.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the choice for anyone running multithreaded workloads, data compression or encryption, physics simulations, or compute-heavy instruction sets. Its 96 MB L3 cache, 8 cores, and 16 threads provide a foundation for performance that the Intel Core 5 120 cannot match in most tests.

The Intel Core 5 120 has one genuine advantage: Cinebench R23 single-core. That 13.5% lead suggests that for certain lightly threaded rendering tasks, the Intel part can outperform the AMD part. It also draws less power, with a 65 TDP versus 120, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

Users who prioritize single-core Cinebench R23 performance or want a lower-power, dual-memory-support platform should consider the Intel Core 5 120. Users who need the highest multi-threaded throughput, the largest cache, or the broadest benchmark dominance should select the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D. The recorded data shows the AMD part winning by margins that range from 24.9% to 464.9%, which is a decisive performance gap.