CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 5 120 and AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS are two very different processors that land in nearly the same performance tier, with average benchmark scores of 25362 and 25284 respectively. The Intel chip is a desktop Raptor Lake part with 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD chip is a mobile Zen 3+ part with 8 cores and 16 threads, yet their overall benchmark averages sit within 0.3% of each other. This head-to-head analysis reveals a processor that wins on raw single-thread performance and another that dominates in multi-threaded throughput and specialized workloads, making the choice highly dependent on the intended use case.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins all single-thread benchmarks, with a 11.1% lead in PassMark single-thread (3595 vs 3237) and a 5.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (259 vs 245). Its advantage grows to 65.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (2577 vs 1554).

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

A: Results are mixed. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 14.9% (2161 vs 1840) and PassMark multi-thread by 19.7% (23152 vs 18597), but the Intel Core 5 120 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a decisive 35.8% (18255 vs 13445).

Q: Which processor is better for data compression and encryption tasks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS dominates in both areas, scoring 292842 in PassMark data compression (25% ahead) and 18303 in data encryption (39.2% ahead). The Intel chip trails significantly with scores of 219535 and 11131 respectively.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD chip also has higher base and boost clocks at 3.30 GHz and 4.90 GHz, versus 2.50 GHz and 4.50 GHz for the Intel.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS features a Radeon 680M integrated GPU, while the Intel Core 5 120 comes with UHD Graphics 730. No benchmark scores are available for either integrated GPU, so direct performance comparison is not possible from this data.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has a TDP of 65 watts, which is nearly double the 35-watt TDP of the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS. This reflects the Intel part's desktop orientation versus the AMD part's mobile design.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core 5 120 is built on the Raptor Lake architecture using Intel's 10 nm process node, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS uses the Zen 3+ architecture on TSMC's 6 nm node. The Intel chip has a smaller die size at 163 mm² compared to the AMD's 208 mm², though both use dual-channel memory and do not support ECC memory.

Cache layouts differ substantially between the two. The Intel Core 5 120 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a shared 18 MB L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS offers 64 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, with a smaller 16 MB shared L3 cache. This gives the Intel part a larger total cache footprint despite having fewer cores.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. The AMD part has a specified memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, whereas no bandwidth figure is listed for the Intel. PCIe connectivity also differs, with the Intel chip offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes and the AMD providing Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

The processors are designed for entirely different sockets and market segments. The Intel Core 5 120 uses Intel Socket 1700 and is classified as a desktop part, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS uses AMD Socket FP7 and is a mobile processor. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a distinguishing feature. The production status for both is listed as active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a picture of two processors with complementary strengths. The Intel Core 5 120 claims victory in 7 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS wins 8. The most dramatic Intel win comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2577 against the AMD's 1554, a 65.8% advantage. This is followed by a 35.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (18255 vs 13445), showing that the Intel chip's efficiency in the newer Cinebench version is substantial.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS counters with strong showings in several PassMark workloads. Its biggest win is in data encryption, where it scores 18303 versus the Intel's 11131, a 39.2% lead. Data compression shows a 25% advantage (292842 vs 219535), and integer math demonstrates a 30.1% edge (86449 vs 60462). The AMD part also wins in extended instructions by 28.7% (20015 vs 14264), random string sorting by 29.6% (30528 vs 21499), and floating-point math by 5.9% (48239 vs 45383).

The Intel Core 5 120 shows particular strength in prime number calculation, scoring 77 versus the AMD's 58, a 32.8% margin. It also wins PassMark physics by 28% (1333 vs 1041) and PassMark single-thread by 11.1% (3595 vs 3237). In Cinebench R15, the results are split, with the AMD winning multi-core by 14.9% (2161 vs 1840) but the Intel winning single-core by 5.7% (259 vs 245). The PassMark multi-thread test favors the AMD at 23152 versus 18597, a 19.7% difference.

Specification Differences

The core specifications reveal how differently these processors are engineered. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS offers 8 cores and 16 threads, compared to 6 cores and 12 threads for the Intel Core 5 120. Clock speeds favor the AMD part, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and boost of 4.90 GHz, versus 2.50 GHz and 4.50 GHz for the Intel.

The TDP difference is stark, with the Intel chip rated at 65 watts and the AMD at just 35 watts. The Intel uses the Raptor Lake architecture with a Raptor Lake-R codename, while the AMD uses Zen 3+ with the Rembrandt codename. The process node differs, with Intel at 10 nm and AMD at 6 nm, and the foundries are also different, with Intel manufacturing its own chip and TSMC producing the AMD.

Cache specifications are distinct, with the Intel providing 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3, while the AMD offers 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support differs, with the Intel accepting both DDR4 and DDR5 while the AMD is DDR5-only. The AMD has a specified memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while no such figure is listed for the Intel.

PCIe capabilities favor the Intel in generation (Gen 5 vs Gen 4) but the AMD in lane count (20 vs 16). The integrated graphics are different, with the Intel featuring UHD Graphics 730 and the AMD featuring Radeon 680M. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $211, while no launch MSRP is listed for the AMD. The market segments are split between desktop for Intel and mobile for AMD, with sockets being Intel Socket 1700 and AMD Socket FP7 respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 is the clear choice for workloads that depend on single-thread performance. Its 65.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 11.1% lead in PassMark single-thread make it superior for applications like gaming, web browsing, and productivity software that rely on one or two fast cores. The 32.8% advantage in prime number calculation and 28% lead in physics simulation further reinforce this strength, suggesting strong performance in scientific computing and physics-based workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS excels in multi-threaded and specialized workloads. Its 39.2% lead in data encryption and 25% advantage in data compression make it ideal for file archiving, encryption tasks, and database operations. The 30.1% edge in integer math and 28.7% lead in extended instructions indicate strong performance in general-purpose computing and cryptographic workloads. The 19.7% advantage in PassMark multi-thread and 14.9% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core show that the extra two cores and four threads provide real benefits in heavily parallelized applications.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core result complicates the picture. The Intel Core 5 120 wins this test by 35.8%, which is surprising given the AMD's core advantage. This suggests that the Intel chip's architectural efficiency in this specific workload outpaces the AMD's additional cores. However, the overall trend shows the AMD winning more benchmark categories, 8 versus 7, and dominating in data-intensive tasks. The choice ultimately depends on whether the user prioritizes single-thread responsiveness and specific Cinebench performance, or multi-threaded throughput across a broader range of PassMark workloads.