AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 records an average benchmark score of 19617, while the Intel Core 5 120UL scores 13594. The AMD part sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Intel part's 68th percentile.

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 uses 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120UL uses 10 cores and 12 threads. Despite the Intel chip having more cores, the AMD chip wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120UL boosts to 4.60 GHz. The Intel part has a 0.10 GHz higher boost clock, but the AMD part still leads in single-thread performance.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120UL does not. Both processors use a dual-channel memory bus, with the AMD part supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X and the Intel part supporting DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 has 4 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip also has a larger L2 cache per core at 1.25 MB versus 1 MB on the AMD chip.

Q: What process nodes do the two chips use?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core 5 120UL uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The AMD chip is built on the Gorgon Point codename with Zen 5 / Zen 5c cores, whereas the Intel chip uses Raptor Lake-PS.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 dominates the majority of measured workloads. Its largest head-to-head advantages come in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it beats the Intel Core 5 120UL by 111.8%, and in PassMark extended instructions, where it leads by 120.2%. The AMD chip also wins decisively in PassMark single-thread performance with a 77.1% lead, in data compression by 45.7%, and in Cinebench R23 single-core by 41.9%. These results indicate the AMD processor is the stronger choice for lightly threaded tasks, instruction-heavy workloads, and general responsiveness.

The Intel Core 5 120UL takes a different set of wins. It leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 9.4%, which is notable given that the AMD chip wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 32.2%. The Intel part also wins PassMark physics by 10%, PassMark find prime numbers by 6.4%, and PassMark data encryption by 1.2%. These are narrower margins compared to the AMD chip's larger leads. The Intel processor appears better suited for workloads that scale with its higher core count, such as physics simulation and prime number calculation.

The split between the two is clear: AMD wins 11 benchmarks, Intel wins 4. The AMD chip's wins are frequently by wide margins, while the Intel chip's wins are mostly narrow. The AMD processor also holds a significant edge in average benchmark score, 19617 versus 13594, which places it in a higher performance tier despite having fewer cores.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI 400 generation built on Zen 5 / Zen 5c cores. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake-PS codename, belongs to the Core 5 generation, and is built on Raptor Lake architecture at Intel's 10 nm process. These are fundamentally different designs from different foundries.

The core configurations diverge significantly. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel chip has 10 cores and 12 threads. The Intel chip's core count advantage is substantial, but the AMD chip compensates with a higher base clock of 2.00 GHz versus 1.30 GHz on the Intel part. The boost clocks are close, with the Intel chip at 4.60 GHz and the AMD chip at 4.50 GHz.

Cache layouts differ in both size and organization. The AMD chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of L3. The Intel chip also has 80 KB of L1 per core but has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's larger L3 cache and per-core L2 should help in workloads with larger working sets, though the benchmark data shows the AMD chip still leads in most tests.

Memory support separates the two as well. The AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 with no memory bandwidth figure recorded. The AMD chip supports ECC memory; the Intel chip does not. The AMD chip offers 14 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip offers 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The AMD chip integrates Radeon 840M graphics, while the Intel chip integrates Iris Xe Graphics 80EU.

The market segments also differ. The AMD part is classified as a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel part is classified as a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip was released in early 2026, while the Intel chip was released in early 2024. Both parts are currently listed as active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ as well, with the AMD chip at 2.00 GHz and the Intel chip at 1.30 GHz. Boost clocks are nearly identical, 4.50 GHz for AMD and 4.60 GHz for Intel. The thermal design power differs, with the AMD chip rated at 28 and the Intel chip rated at 15.

The process nodes diverge: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 10 nm from its own foundry. Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3: the AMD chip has 1 MB of L2 per core and 4 MB of L3, while the Intel chip has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core.

Memory support differs. The AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 with no bandwidth figure recorded. ECC support is present on the AMD chip but absent on the Intel chip. PCIe lane counts differ: 14 Gen 4 lanes for AMD versus 8 Gen 4 lanes for Intel. The integrated graphics differ, with Radeon 840M on the AMD chip and Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the Intel chip.

Sockets and market segments differ. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP8 and is mobile, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700 and is desktop. Release dates differ, with the AMD chip released in early 2026 and the Intel chip released in early 2024. Both parts are active in production, both are locked multipliers, and neither has a recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 records its largest win in PassMark extended instructions, scoring 11455 against the Intel Core 5 120UL's 5203, a 120.2% lead. This is followed by a 111.8% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD chip scores 269 versus 127. The AMD chip also leads in PassMark single-thread performance, 3683 versus 2080, a 77.1% margin, and in PassMark data compression, 158912 versus 109090, a 45.7% lead.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 1797 against 1266, a 41.9% advantage. The AMD chip also wins PassMark multithread by 26.2% with a score of 13320 versus 10558, and PassMark random string sorting by 22.1% with 16623 versus 13610. Cinebench R15 multi-core goes to the AMD chip by 32.2%, with scores of 1195 versus 904. Smaller AMD wins include PassMark integer math at 4.1% (39637 versus 38060) and PassMark floating point math at 3.4% (27193 versus 26311).

The Intel Core 5 120UL wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 9.4%, scoring 8974 against 8130. This is the Intel chip's largest win and its only multi-core Cinebench victory. The Intel part also wins PassMark physics by 10%, with 807 versus 726, PassMark find prime numbers by 6.4% with 47 versus 44, and PassMark data encryption by 1.2% with 7685 versus 7591.

The overall head-to-head tally favors the AMD chip at 11 wins against 4 for the Intel chip. The AMD chip's average benchmark score of 19617 places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 5500, which scores 19593 with a delta of 0.1%, and the Intel Core i5-12500, which scores 19668 with a delta of -0.3%. The Intel Core 5 120UL's average score of 13594 places it near the Intel Core i3-12100F, which scores 13494 with a delta of 0.7%, and the Intel Core 3 N355, which scores 13492 with a delta of 0.8%. The data shows a clear performance gap between the two processors, with the AMD chip leading in most workloads and by wider margins overall.