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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records 15 head-to-head comparisons between the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Intel Core 5 120UL, and the AMD processor wins every single one. The margin of victory varies by workload, but the pattern is consistent: the Ryzen 7 9850X3D delivers leadership performance across single-threaded, multi-threaded, and specialized instruction tests.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark's find prime numbers test. The AMD part scores 435 against Intel's 47, a delta of 825.5%. Extended instructions show a similar story, with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 39,272 versus 5,203 for the Core 5 120UL, a 654.8% advantage. These two results indicate that the AMD processor handles integer-heavy and specialized instruction workloads with dramatically higher throughput.

Physics simulation also heavily favors AMD. The PassMark physics score for the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is 4,171, while the Intel part manages 807, a 416.9% difference. This suggests the AMD chip processes physics calculations at over five times the rate of the Intel processor.

Data compression results follow the same pattern. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 474,501 in PassMark data compression, compared to 109,090 for the Intel Core 5 120UL, a 335% delta. Floating point math shows a 211.6% advantage (81,998 versus 26,311), and integer math shows a 223.5% advantage (123,140 versus 38,060). These results indicate the AMD processor handles both numeric and data-throughput workloads with substantially higher performance.

Multi-threaded rendering benchmarks confirm the gap. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 22,807 against 8,974 for the Intel Core 5 120UL, a 154.1% delta. Cinebench R15 multicore shows an even larger relative gap at 292.8% (3,551 versus 904). PassMark multithread demonstrates a 291.3% difference (41,318 versus 10,558).

Single-threaded performance is closer in percentage terms but still firmly in AMD's favor. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,228 versus 1,266, a 76% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 343 versus 127, a 170.1% delta. PassMark single-thread shows 4,704 versus 2,080, a 126.2% delta. The recorded data indicates the AMD processor leads by a wide margin even when only one core is active.

Data encryption and random string sorting round out the results. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 22,856 in PassMark data encryption versus 7,685 for Intel, a 197.4% delta. Random string sorting shows 49,764 versus 13,610, a 265.6% delta.

The average benchmark score in the database places the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 58,386, with a 92nd percentile ranking among all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 120UL averages 13,594, ranking in the 68th percentile. The AMD part's nearest rivals by average score include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (58,323, 0.1% behind), the Intel Xeon w5-2545 (58,504, 0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i9-14900 (58,115, 0.5% behind), and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 (58,826, 0.7% ahead). The Intel Core 5 120UL's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100F (13,494, 0.7% behind), the Intel Core 3 N355 (13,492, 0.8% behind), the Intel Core i5-9500 (13,452, 1.1% behind), and the Intel Core 3 304 (13,745, 1.1% ahead).

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The smallest margin is 76% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and the largest is 825.5% in PassMark find prime numbers. No workload category in the database favors the Intel Core 5 120UL.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D sits in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 58,386. Its nearest rivals are high-end server and desktop parts, with deltas under 1% in either direction. The Intel Core 5 120UL sits in the 68th percentile, with an average score of 13,594, placing it among entry-level desktop parts like the Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Core i5-9500.

For workloads measured in this database, the AMD processor is the clear choice. It delivers at least 76% higher performance in the closest test and exceeds 800% in the most favorable test. The data shows no scenario within these benchmarks where the Intel part closes the gap.

The Intel Core 5 120UL may still be relevant for specific use cases such as low-power systems, but the recorded benchmarks do not show any performance advantage. Its 15-watt TDP and 10-core, 12-thread configuration place it in a different performance class entirely.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins in every recorded benchmark category. The largest relative advantages appear in integer-heavy and specialized workloads: find prime numbers (825.5%), extended instructions (654.8%), and physics (416.9%). These tests indicate the AMD processor is particularly strong in scientific computing, simulation, and instruction-heavy code paths.

Data and storage workloads also favor AMD decisively. Data compression shows a 335% delta, random string sorting shows 265.6%, and data encryption shows 197.4%. The AMD part's large shared L3 cache of 96 MB likely contributes to these results, as compression and sorting tasks benefit from high-capacity, low-latency cache.

Floating point and integer math tests show 211.6% and 223.5% deltas respectively, indicating strong general arithmetic throughput. Multithreaded rendering workloads show 154.1% (Cinebench R23) and 292.8% (Cinebench R15) deltas, confirming the AMD processor handles multi-core rendering tasks with substantial headroom.

Single-threaded performance is the closest category, with deltas ranging from 76% to 170.1%. Even here, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D maintains a comfortable lead. The Intel Core 5 120UL does not win any category, so there is no workload in the database where the Intel part is the better performer.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Intel Core 5 120UL?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58,386, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has an average score of 13,594. The AMD processor ranks in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part ranks in the 68th percentile.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2,228 versus 1,266 for the Intel Core 5 120UL, a 76% delta. In PassMark single-thread, the scores are 4,704 versus 2,080, a 126.2% delta.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D leads by 154.1% in Cinebench R23 multicore (22,807 versus 8,974) and by 292.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore (3,551 versus 904). PassMark multithread shows a 291.3% delta (41,318 versus 10,558).

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 435 and the Intel Core 5 120UL scores 47, an 825.5% delta. Extended instructions show the second-largest gap at 654.8% (39,272 versus 5,203).

Q: Which processors are closest to each model in average score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (0.1% behind), Intel Xeon w5-2545 (0.2% ahead), Intel Core i9-14900 (0.5% behind), and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 (0.7% ahead). The Intel Core 5 120UL's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-12100F (0.7% behind), Intel Core 3 N355 (0.8% behind), Intel Core i5-9500 (1.1% behind), and Intel Core 3 304 (1.1% ahead).

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

A: No. The Intel Core 5 120UL loses all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins every test, with deltas ranging from 76% to 825.5%.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 8,315 million transistors and a 70.6 mm² die size. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The processor has a 120-watt TDP and supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported. PCIe connectivity uses Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics. The processor uses AMD Socket AM5 and has an unlocked multiplier. It was released on January 28, 2026, with a launch MSRP of $499.

The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture on the Raptor Lake-PS codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It features 10 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The processor has a 15-watt TDP and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The processor uses Intel Socket 1700 and has a locked multiplier. It was released on April 7, 2024.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 cache per core and 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor's 96 MB L3 cache is eight times larger than the Intel part's 12 MB, which aligns with the large deltas seen in cache-sensitive workloads like data compression and random string sorting.

The core and thread counts differ by design. The Intel Core 5 120UL has more physical cores (10 versus 8) but fewer threads (12 versus 16) because the AMD processor supports simultaneous multithreading on all cores. The Intel part's lower base clock of 1.30 GHz and 15-watt TDP indicate a power-constrained design, while the AMD part's 4.70 GHz base clock and 120-watt TDP indicate a performance-oriented design. The boost clocks are closer at 4.60 GHz for Intel and 5.60 GHz for AMD.

The manufacturing process difference is notable: 4 nm at TSMC for AMD versus 10 nm at Intel. The AMD processor uses a smaller process node, which contributes to higher clock speeds and lower power per transistor. The Intel part's higher core count does not compensate for its lower clocks and smaller cache, as the benchmark results show.

Memory support differs in flexibility. The Intel Core 5 120UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D supports only DDR5. The AMD part supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. The AMD processor's memory bandwidth is recorded at 89.6 GB/s, while no memory bandwidth figure is recorded for the Intel part.

Both processors are desktop parts in active production. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has a known part number (100-000001973) and an unlocked multiplier, making it suitable for overclocking. The Intel Core 5 120UL has a locked multiplier and an unknown part number.