AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G and Intel Core 5 120UL occupy distinct positions in the desktop processor database. The AMD part, built on Gorgon Point with a 4 nm TSMC process, pairs six cores with twelve threads and a 65 W TDP. The Intel part, a Raptor Lake-PS design on Intel's 10 nm node, offers ten cores, twelve threads, and a 15 W TDP. Benchmark data covers the Intel processor extensively, while the AMD processor has no recorded scores in the database. This analysis uses the available measurements for the Intel Core 5 120UL and the architectural and specification details for both processors.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results for these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G has an empty benchmark array, meaning no Cinebench, PassMark, or other test scores are recorded. The Intel Core 5 120UL, however, has a full set of measurements across multiple test suites. Without direct comparison data, the analysis relies on the Intel processor's absolute scores and its position relative to other CPUs in the database.

For the Intel Core 5 120UL, Cinebench R23 multi-core returns 8974 points, while single-core returns 1266 points. Cinebench R20 multi-core scores 3769, and single-core scores 531. Cinebench R15 multi-core scores 904, with single-core at 127. These results show a multi-core advantage consistent with the processor's ten-core configuration, though the boost clock of 4.60 GHz supports the single-core figures.

PassMark tests for the Intel part include integer math at 38060, floating point math at 26311, and extended instructions at 5203. Data compression scores 109090, data encryption scores 7685, and random string sorting scores 13610. The find prime numbers test returns 47, physics scores 807, and multi-threaded performance scores 10558. Single-thread performance is recorded at 2080 in two separate entries, confirming consistency.

The Intel Core 5 120UL holds a 68th percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 13594. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100F with an average score of 13494, a delta of 0.7 percent, the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 with a 0.8 percent delta, the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 with a 1.1 percent delta, and the Intel Core 3 304 at 13745 with a negative 1.1 percent delta. These margins are narrow, all within roughly one percentage point, indicating the Core 5 120UL sits in a tightly clustered performance band.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G has no recorded benchmark scores, so its performance cannot be quantified in the same manner. The database shows a 50th percentile ranking for the AMD part, but with an average benchmark score of zero, this percentile appears provisional. Direct wins and losses between the two processors cannot be established from the recorded data.

Where Each One Wins

For the Intel Core 5 120UL, the benchmark data points to strengths in multi-threaded workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core at 8974 exceeds the single-core score by a factor of roughly seven, and PassMark multi-thread at 10558 aligns with this pattern. The ten-core, twelve-thread configuration, with base clock at 1.30 GHz and boost at 4.60 GHz, supports parallel tasks such as rendering, data compression, and encryption. Data compression at 109090 and integer math at 38060 are the standout PassMark results, suggesting strong throughput in compute-heavy applications.

The Intel part also shows capability in single-threaded tasks, with PassMark single-thread at 2080 and Cinebench R23 single-core at 1266. The boost clock of 4.60 GHz is the highest among the two processors, which helps in latency-sensitive workloads that rely on one or two cores. The 12 MB shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB per-core L2 cache provide a large memory hierarchy for repeated data access.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G, lacking benchmark scores, has no verified wins in the database. Its specifications suggest potential advantages in specific areas, but these cannot be confirmed with measured data. The 65 W TDP, versus 15 W for the Intel part, indicates the AMD processor is designed for higher sustained performance, but the lack of scores prevents any quantitative claim. The L3 cache is only 4 MB, compared to 12 MB on the Intel part, which may affect cache-sensitive workloads, though again this is speculative without test results.

The Intel Core 5 120UL's position relative to its nearest rivals reinforces its balanced profile. It edges out the Core i3-12100F by 0.7 percent, the Core 3 N355 by 0.8 percent, and the Core i5-9500 by 1.1 percent, while trailing the Core 3 304 by 1.1 percent. These deltas are small, so the Core 5 120UL does not dominate any category by a wide margin. Its wins are consistent but narrow, typical of a processor designed for efficiency over peak performance.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G uses the Gorgon Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 400 generation built on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The process node is 4 nm, manufactured by TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, part of the Core 5 generation, on a 10 nm process from Intel. These nodes represent different manufacturing approaches, with the AMD part using a denser, more advanced process from TSMC, while the Intel part relies on Intel's older 10 nm node.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD processor has six cores and twelve threads, while the Intel processor has ten cores and twelve threads. Both support twelve threads, but the Intel part achieves this with more physical cores, likely using a hybrid arrangement common in Raptor Lake designs, though the database does not specify performance versus efficiency core splits. The AMD part uses Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, indicating a mix of full-performance and compact cores, but the database does not detail the distribution.

Cache architecture diverges. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 120UL has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's L3 cache is three times larger, at 12 MB versus 4 MB, which can improve performance in workloads with large working sets. The AMD part's L2 cache is slightly smaller per core, at 1 MB versus 1.25 MB.

Memory support also differs. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory only, with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. ECC memory is not supported on the Intel part. This gives the AMD processor a memory bandwidth advantage on paper, though the Intel part's flexibility with DDR4 may offer compatibility benefits.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G includes Radeon 840M graphics, while the Intel Core 5 120UL includes Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The database does not provide benchmark scores for either iGPU, so relative graphics performance cannot be assessed.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. Core count: the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G has 6 cores, the Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores. Thread count is identical at 12 for both. Base clock: the AMD part runs at 2.00 GHz, the Intel part at 1.30 GHz. Boost clock: the AMD part reaches 4.50 GHz, the Intel part reaches 4.60 GHz. TDP: the AMD part is rated at 65 W, the Intel part at 15 W. Socket: the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5, the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700.

Process node: the AMD part is on 4 nm from TSMC, the Intel part is on 10 nm from Intel. Foundry: TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel. L2 cache per core: 1 MB for AMD, 1.25 MB for Intel. L3 cache: 4 MB for AMD, 12 MB shared for Intel. Memory support: DDR5 only for AMD, DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel. Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s for AMD, not recorded for Intel. ECC memory: supported on AMD, not supported on Intel. PCIe lanes: the AMD part has Gen 4 with 10 lanes (CPU only), the Intel part has Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Multiplier unlocked: yes for AMD, no for Intel.

Release dates differ as well. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G has a release date of 2026-02-28, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has a release date of 2024-04-07. The Intel part has been available for a longer period, which may explain its presence in the benchmark database. The AMD part's future release date suggests it is a newer design. Production status is active for both processors. The AMD part has a part number of 100-000001158, while the Intel part's part number is listed as unknown.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G has 6 cores. Both processors support 12 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL boosts to 4.60 GHz, which is 0.10 GHz higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G's boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD part supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120UL does not support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types does the Intel Core 5 120UL support?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G supports DDR5 only.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 120UL compare to its nearest rivals in the database?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has an average benchmark score of 13594. It is 0.7 percent ahead of the Intel Core i3-12100F, 0.8 percent ahead of the Intel Core 3 N355, 1.1 percent ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500, and 1.1 percent behind the Intel Core 3 304.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G has 4 MB of L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G has a TDP of 65 W, and the Intel Core 5 120UL has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Are both processors currently active in production?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI 5 435G and the Intel Core 5 120UL are listed with an active production status.