AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core 5 120HL Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Core 5 120HL are both desktop processors, but the database records them in very different states. The AMD part has a complete benchmark profile and a 92nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Intel part has no benchmark scores and a 50th percentile placement. Their specification sheets also diverge on socket, process node, cache size, memory support, and platform features.

FAQ

Q: Which processor uses which socket?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses AMD Socket AM5. The Intel Core 5 120HL uses Intel Socket 1700.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD part has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD part has 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which memory types are supported?

A: The AMD part supports DDR5 only. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core 5 120HL does not.

Q: What are the boost clock values?

A: The AMD part has a 5.60 boost clock. The Intel part has a 4.70 boost clock.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is built on Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename. The Intel Core 5 120HL uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename. AMD’s process node is 4 nm at TSMC, while Intel’s process node is 10 nm at Intel.

Cache layouts differ in both L2 and L3. Both parts use 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part uses 1 MB of L2 per core and 96 MB of shared L3. The Intel part uses 2 MB of L2 per core and 18 MB of shared L3. That gives AMD a much larger total L3 pool, while Intel has a larger per-core L2 allocation.

Memory support also separates the two. The AMD part supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and ECC memory support. The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, but it has no recorded memory bandwidth value and no ECC support.

Platform connectivity is different as well. The AMD processor exposes PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU. The Intel processor exposes PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ too: the AMD part includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.

The power and socket profiles reinforce the architectural split. The AMD part has a 120 TDP and sits on AMD Socket AM5. The Intel part has a 45 TDP and sits on Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel part is locked.

The Verdict

The recorded data clearly separates the two parts in terms of measured performance. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58386 and sits in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 120HL has no recorded benchmark scores, an average benchmark score of 0, and a 50th percentile placement.

For any measured performance comparison, the AMD part is the only part with data. Its nearest rival list reinforces the level of its average score: Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M at 58323 with a delta of 0.1, Intel Xeon w5-2545 at 58504 with a delta of -0.2, Intel Core i9-14900 at 58115 with a delta of 0.5, and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 at 58826 with a delta of -0.7. These deltas place the AMD part within a narrow band of other desktop and workstation CPUs.

The Intel part is defined by its platform characteristics rather than benchmark results. It has 12 cores, a 45 TDP, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes, and Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part is defined by its 8 cores, 120 TDP, DDR5-only memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes, 96 MB of L3 cache, and AM5 socket. The data does not permit a direct measured performance verdict between the two, because the Intel side has no benchmark entries.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core 5 120HL |

|---|---|---|

| Series | 9000 series | no recorded data |

| Core count | 8 | 12 |

| Thread count | 16 | 16 |

| Base clock | 4.70 | 2.60 |

| Boost clock | 5.60 | 4.70 |

| TDP | 120 | 45 |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Raptor Lake-PS |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 8,315 million | no recorded data |

| Die size | 70.6 mm² | no recorded data |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 96 MB shared | 18 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | no recorded data |

| ECC memory | yes | no |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Release date | 2026-01-28 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $499 | $279 |

| Multiplier | unlocked | locked |

| Part number | 100-000001973 | SRPFR |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data contains no direct head-to-head benchmark runs for this pairing. The win count is zero for both processors. The AMD part carries all of the available benchmark scores in this comparison.

Cinebench results for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D are 3551 in R15 multicore, 343 in R15 single-core, 22807 in R23 multicore, and 2228 in R23 single-core. PassMark results include 41318 in multithread, 4704 in single-thread, 123140 in integer math, 81998 in floating point math, 474501 in data compression, 22856 in data encryption, 39272 in extended instructions, 435 in find prime numbers, 4171 in physics, and 49764 in random string sorting.

The AMD average benchmark score is 58386. Its nearest rival data shows Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M at 58323, Intel Xeon w5-2545 at 58504, Intel Core i9-14900 at 58115, and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 at 58826, with deltas of 0.1, -0.2, 0.5, and -0.7 respectively.

Because the Intel Core 5 120HL has no benchmark entries, there are no Intel-side scores to place against these results. The only measured wins in this comparison belong to the AMD part, and they are standalone scores rather than direct head-to-head margins over this specific Intel processor.