AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX and Intel Core 5 120 represent two distinct approaches to processor design, one a mobile-first Zen 3 part and the other a desktop-focused Raptor Lake Refresh chip. The recorded data shows a near-even split in benchmark victories, with the AMD part taking 8 wins and the Intel part taking 7. This balance masks a clear divergence in workload character, with each processor dominating in entirely different categories of performance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX establishes its dominance in multi-threaded and data-heavy workloads that leverage its 8 cores and 16 threads. The PassMark suite provides the clearest evidence: the AMD chip wins integer math by 43.5%, data encryption by 63.4%, and random string sorting by 39.7%. It also takes data compression by 31.1% and extended instructions by 36.6%. These are not marginal victories; they represent substantial leads in tasks that stress parallel execution and memory throughput.

The Intel Core 5 120, despite having fewer cores (6 versus 8), claims victory in single-threaded performance and specific compute tasks. The single-core results are decisive: a 42.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 7.3% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, and an 11.6% lead in PassMark single-thread. The Intel chip also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 29.6%, a surprising result given its core deficit, and takes PassMark physics by 31.8% and find prime numbers by 31.2%.

The use-case split is clear. The AMD processor is the choice for encryption, compression, sorting, and integer-heavy parallel workloads. The Intel processor is the choice for lightly threaded applications, physics simulation, and the specific Cinebench rendering workloads where its architecture excels.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing generations and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, 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 the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake Refresh, built on a 10 nm process at Intel with a 163 mm² die.

Core configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the AMD part has 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the Intel chip likely contributes to its single-thread advantage.

Platform support reveals their different market positions. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX uses AMD Socket FP6, supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel access, and provides 68.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It uses PCIe Gen 3 and integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The Intel Core 5 120 uses Intel Socket 1700, supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, and provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. It integrates UHD Graphics 730.

Power characteristics also differ. The AMD chip has a 45 W TDP and is classified as a mobile part, while the Intel chip has a 65 W TDP and is classified as a desktop part. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, the Intel multiplier is not. The AMD part launched in January 2021, the Intel part in July 2025.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward selection based on workload. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX should be chosen for tasks involving data encryption, where it leads by 63.4%, integer math, where it leads by 43.5%, and random string sorting, where it leads by 39.7%. It also wins data compression by 31.1% and extended instructions by 36.6%. For users processing large datasets, performing cryptographic operations, or running parallel integer workloads, the AMD chip is the stronger option.

The Intel Core 5 120 should be chosen for single-threaded performance and specific rendering workloads. Its 42.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the largest margin in the entire comparison. It also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 29.6%, which is notable given its 6-core configuration. Physics simulation and prime number finding also favor the Intel chip, with leads of 31.8% and 31.2% respectively.

The average benchmark scores place the Intel chip slightly ahead, with an average score of 25362 versus 24822 for the AMD chip. Both processors sit at the 77th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip are the Intel Core 5 210H, which scores nearly identically, and the Intel Core i7-13620H. The nearest rivals for the Intel chip include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D, which matches its score exactly, and the Intel Core i7-11700KF.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins all single-thread comparisons. It leads by 42.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 7.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and 11.6% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: Which processor is better for data encryption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX leads by 63.4% in PassMark data encryption, the largest margin in any benchmark in the comparison.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX supports DDR4 memory. The Intel Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX uses a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120 uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is the most striking outcome in the comparison. The Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255 against the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX's 12845, a 29.6% lead despite having 2 fewer cores and 4 fewer threads. This suggests the Intel architecture extracts significantly more performance per core in this rendering workload. The Cinebench R23 single-core result reinforces this, with the Intel chip scoring 2577 against 1488, a 42.3% lead.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX responds in the PassMark suite. The data encryption test shows the AMD chip at 18188 versus 11131, a 63.4% lead. Integer math shows 86735 versus 60462, a 43.5% lead. Random string sorting shows 30042 versus 21499, a 39.7% lead. Data compression shows 287793 versus 219535, a 31.1% lead. Extended instructions show 19488 versus 14264, a 36.6% lead.

The remaining tests are closer. PassMark floating point math goes to the AMD chip by 4.8%, with 47556 against 45383. PassMark multithread goes to the AMD chip by 20.1%, with 22326 against 18597. Cinebench R15 multi-core goes to the AMD chip by 14.5%, with 2106 against 1840.

The Intel chip wins the remaining tests. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to Intel by 7.3%, with 259 against 240. PassMark physics goes to Intel by 31.8%, with 1333 against 909. Find prime numbers goes to Intel by 31.2%, with 77 against 53. PassMark single-thread goes to Intel by 11.6%, with 3595 against 3178.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: 8 cores and 16 threads for the AMD chip, 6 cores and 12 threads for the Intel chip. Base clocks differ, with the AMD chip at 3.30 GHz and the Intel chip at 2.50 GHz. Boost clocks are close, with the AMD chip at 4.60 GHz and the Intel chip at 4.50 GHz. TDP differs substantially: 45 W for the AMD chip, 65 W for the Intel chip.

The cache configurations differ in structure. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3.

Memory support differs: the AMD chip supports only DDR4, while the Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD chip has a specified memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the Intel chip. PCIe support differs: Gen 3 for the AMD chip, Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Intel chip.

Integrated graphics differ: Radeon Vega 8 for the AMD chip, UHD Graphics 730 for the Intel chip. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP6 and is a mobile part, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop part. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel chip does not. The process nodes differ: 7 nm at TSMC for the AMD chip, 10 nm at Intel for the Intel chip. The die sizes are 180 mm² for the AMD chip and 163 mm² for the Intel chip. The AMD chip contains 10,700 million transistors, while no transistor count is recorded for the Intel chip. The Intel Core 5 120 has a launch MSRP of $211.