AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 and the Intel Core 5 120, with each processor claiming victories in different workload categories. The AMD part wins 8 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while Intel takes 7, but the magnitude of the wins tells a more nuanced story.

The largest gap in the entire comparison appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255 against AMD's 11333, a 37.9% advantage. This is the single most decisive result in the dataset. The Intel processor also leads substantially in Cinebench R23 single-core, posting 2577 versus 1816, a 29.5% margin. These two results establish Intel's dominance in sustained CPU rendering workloads.

AMD fights back in several PassMark tests. The Ryzen AI 5 435 leads in random string sorting by 15.8%, scoring 24891 against 21499. Extended instructions show a 13.6% AMD advantage, with scores of 16197 versus 14264. The AMD chip also wins in single-thread PassMark testing, scoring 3734 against Intel's 3595, a 3.9% margin. Data compression favors AMD by 2.7%, and integer math edges AMD ahead by 0.9%. The PassMark multithread test also goes to AMD, 19000 to 18597, a 2.2% lead.

Intel counters with wins in floating-point math, scoring 45383 against 40627, a 10.5% advantage. Physics testing shows Intel ahead by 19.4%, with scores of 1333 versus 1075. Prime number finding favors Intel by 24.7%, 77 to 58. Data encryption is nearly identical, with Intel winning by just 0.2% (11131 versus 11110). The Cinebench R15 multi-core test goes to Intel by 8.4%, while the R15 single-core test goes to AMD by a razor-thin 0.4%, 260 to 259.

The pattern is consistent: Intel dominates in Cinebench rendering workloads and physics-heavy tasks, while AMD leads in memory-related operations like compression, sorting, and integer math. The aggregate benchmark score reflects this split, with AMD averaging 28128 across all recorded tests against Intel's 25362. AMD sits at the 80th percentile of all CPUs, while Intel ranks at the 77th.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 averages 28128 across all tests, while the Intel Core 5 120 averages 25362. AMD also ranks higher in the overall percentile, sitting at the 80th percentile versus Intel's 77th.

Q: How large is Intel's lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255 in Cinebench R23 multi-core against AMD's 11333, giving Intel a 37.9% advantage. This is the largest performance gap in any recorded test between the two processors.

Q: Does AMD win any multi-threaded tests?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 wins the PassMark multithread test with a score of 19000 against Intel's 18597, a 2.2% margin. AMD also leads in PassMark data compression (225374 versus 219535) and random string sorting (24891 versus 21499).

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread performance?

A: Results are mixed. AMD wins PassMark single-thread testing, 3734 to 3595, a 3.9% edge. Intel wins Cinebench R23 single-core by a much larger margin, 2577 to 1816, a 29.5% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD edges ahead by just 0.4%.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-13490F, Intel Core i5-14500T, AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE, and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G. The Intel Core 5 120 sits within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D, Intel Core i7-11700KF, Intel Core i5-13400F, and AMD Ryzen 7 7840U.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 has 4 MB of L3 cache. Intel also has more L2 cache per core at 1.25 MB versus AMD's 1 MB per core. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. It belongs to the Ryzen AI 400 generation under the codename Gorgon Point. The Intel Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, belonging to the Core 5 generation under the codename Raptor Lake-R.

Both processors feature 6 cores and 12 threads, but their cache hierarchies diverge sharply. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with just 4 MB of L3 cache total. Intel also uses 80 KB of L1 per core but provides 1.25 MB of L2 per core and a much larger 18 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger L3 pool likely contributes to Intel's strong showing in rendering workloads.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and a measured memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, but the database records no memory bandwidth figure for it, and it does not support ECC memory.

The integrated graphics solutions are also different. AMD uses the Radeon 840M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD processor targets the mobile market segment and uses the AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel processor targets the desktop segment and uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip has a 28 W TDP, reflecting its mobile orientation, whereas the Intel chip has a 65 W TDP, typical of a desktop part.

PCIe connectivity differs in both generation and lane count. The AMD processor offers PCIe Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes, while the Intel processor offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Intel also reports a die size of 163 mm², while the database lists no die size for AMD.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications that differ between the two processors are extensive. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and the same 4.50 GHz boost clock. Both have 6 cores and 12 threads.

The TDP figures differ significantly, with AMD at 28 W and Intel at 65 W. The sockets are incompatible, with AMD using Socket FP8 and Intel using Socket 1700. The process nodes differ, with AMD on 4 nm TSMC and Intel on 10 nm Intel. The architectures are Zen 5 versus Raptor Lake, and the codenames are Gorgon Point versus Raptor Lake-R.

Cache specifications differ in L2 and L3. AMD provides 1 MB of L2 per core and 4 MB of L3, while Intel provides 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 18 MB of shared L3. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core.

Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with ECC, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 without ECC. AMD has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while Intel has no recorded memory bandwidth. PCIe support differs, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 14 lanes and Intel offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ, with AMD using Radeon 840M and Intel using UHD Graphics 730. Market segments differ, with AMD classified as mobile and Intel as desktop. The Intel processor has a die size of 163 mm², while no die size is recorded for AMD. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $211. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: these processors serve different purposes, and the choice depends on workload priorities. The Intel Core 5 120 is the stronger rendering processor. Its 37.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 29.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core are decisive margins that outweigh its losses in several PassMark tests. For users who run Cinebench-class workloads that stress sustained CPU rendering, the Intel part is the clear choice.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 delivers a higher aggregate benchmark score of 28128 versus Intel's 25362, and it wins the PassMark multithread test. Its wins in data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, and integer math suggest strengths in data processing tasks. The AMD chip also has a substantially lower TDP at 28 W versus 65 W, which matters for systems where power consumption is a constraint.

The benchmark results show that the Intel part wins the heaviest workloads by large margins, while the AMD part wins more tests overall but by smaller margins. Intel's wins include margins of 37.9%, 29.5%, 24.7%, and 19.4%, while AMD's largest win is 15.8% in random string sorting. The aggregate score favors AMD because the Intel wins, while large, do not fully compensate for the breadth of AMD's narrower victories across the PassMark suite.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 wins in rendering and compute-heavy tasks. Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core results show Intel ahead by 37.9% and 29.5% respectively. Cinebench R15 multi-core also favors Intel by 8.4%. Physics testing goes to Intel by 19.4%, and prime number finding goes to Intel by 24.7%. Floating-point math favors Intel by 10.5%. For workloads that stress raw CPU throughput, sustained rendering, and physics simulation, the Intel processor is the better option.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435 wins in data manipulation and memory-oriented tasks. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 15.8%. Extended instructions favor AMD by 13.6%. Data compression goes to AMD by 2.7%. Integer math edges to AMD by 0.9%. The PassMark multithread test goes to AMD by 2.2%, and PassMark single-thread goes to AMD by 3.9%. The Cinebench R15 single-core test goes to AMD by a minimal 0.4%. The AMD processor also holds advantages in power efficiency, with a 28 W TDP against Intel's 65 W, and offers ECC memory support, which Intel lacks.

The aggregate benchmark score of 28128 for AMD against 25362 for Intel places the AMD chip at the 80th percentile of all CPUs, three points ahead of Intel's 77th percentile. The AMD processor's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-13490F and Intel Core i5-14500T, while the Intel processor's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D and Intel Core i5-13400F. These proximity data points confirm that both processors sit in a competitive mid-range cluster, but the AMD chip edges ahead in overall standing.