AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database presents a decisive outcome: the AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 wins 15 of 15 head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 120U. The AMD part delivers a 59% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a 49.8% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core, and a 70.2% margin in PassMark extended instructions. The Intel chip does not record a single win in any shared test. The Ryzen AI 7 445 also sits at the 79th percentile among all CPUs, while the Core 5 120U sits at the 72nd percentile. For mobile workloads requiring sustained multi-threaded throughput, the AMD processor is the clear choice based on recorded measurements. The Intel part, with its lower 15W TDP, may appeal to designs prioritizing power efficiency, but the performance data does not favor it in any measured category.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen AI 7 445 uses AMD's Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Gorgon Point, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-U, on Intel's 10 nm process. These are fundamentally different designs: AMD offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel offers 10 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part posts higher multi-threaded scores, indicating superior per-core efficiency.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both processors share 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 per core and 4 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the Intel side does not translate into benchmark wins. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel bus and no listed bandwidth figure. AMD also supports ECC memory; Intel does not. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD pairs with Radeon 840M, Intel with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD part is built on a 4 nm node versus Intel's 10 nm node, which aligns with its higher performance density.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD part scores 15,826 against Intel's 9,299, a 70.2% advantage. This indicates a substantial lead in SIMD and specialized instruction throughput. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows AMD at 10,590 versus Intel at 6,659, a 59% gap. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar pattern: AMD at 1,723, Intel at 1,150.5, a 49.8% lead. These multi-threaded results are the most significant differentiators.

PassMark data compression favors AMD at 215,812 versus 166,432, a 29.7% margin. PassMark random string sorting shows AMD at 23,488 versus 19,060, a 23.2% lead. PassMark multi-thread scores 18,115 for AMD against 15,042 for Intel, a 20.4% advantage. PassMark integer math delivers 58,332 for AMD versus 52,280 for Intel, an 11.6% lead. PassMark floating-point math records 39,362 for AMD and 36,026 for Intel, a 9.3% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers shows 56 versus 53, a 5.7% lead. PassMark physics records 976 versus 937, a 4.2% margin.

Single-threaded results are closer. Cinebench R23 single-core gives AMD 1,806 versus Intel 1,756.5, a 2.8% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core gives AMD 254 versus 245, a 3.7% lead. PassMark single-thread shows AMD at 3,591 versus Intel at 3,479, a 3.2% margin. PassMark data encryption is nearly tied: 10,519 versus 10,453, a 0.6% lead for AMD. The single-core differences are modest, but AMD still wins every measured test. The data confirms that AMD's advantage grows as workload parallelism increases.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across multiple specification fields. Core count: AMD has 6, Intel has 10. Threads are equal at 12. Base clock: AMD runs at 2.00 GHz, Intel at 1.40 GHz. Boost clock: AMD reaches 4.60 GHz, Intel reaches 5.00 GHz. TDP: AMD is rated at 28W, Intel at 15W. Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket FP8, Intel uses Intel BGA 1744. Process node: AMD uses 4 nm, Intel uses 10 nm. Foundry: AMD uses TSMC, Intel uses Intel. L2 cache per core: AMD has 1 MB, Intel has 1.25 MB. L3 cache: AMD has 4 MB, Intel has 12 MB shared. Memory support: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth: AMD lists 89.6 GB/s, Intel has none listed. ECC memory: AMD supports it, Intel does not. PCIe lanes: AMD has 14 Gen 4 lanes, Intel has 8 Gen 4 lanes. Integrated graphics: AMD uses Radeon 840M, Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Release date: AMD launched on 2026-01-04, Intel on 2024-01-07. Part number: AMD is 100-000001935, Intel is SRM7P. Both are locked multipliers and active production mobile parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 10,590 versus Intel's 6,659, a 59% advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1,723 versus 1,150.5, a 49.8% lead.

Q: Are the single-core scores meaningfully different?

A: The AMD part leads, but by small margins. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1,806 versus 1,756.5, a 2.8% difference. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 254 versus 245, a 3.7% difference. PassMark single-thread shows 3,591 versus 3,479, a 3.2% difference.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Both have equal thread counts, but AMD achieves higher multi-threaded scores with fewer cores.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The AMD part is rated at 28W, while the Intel part is rated at 15W. Intel's lower TDP suggests lower power draw, but the benchmark data does not include power consumption measurements.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120U does not list ECC support.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: AMD lists 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Intel does not have a bandwidth figure listed in the database. Both support dual-channel memory, with AMD supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X, and Intel supporting DDR4 and DDR5.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 wins every benchmark category recorded in the database. Its strongest margins appear in multi-threaded and instruction-heavy workloads: extended instructions (70.2% lead), Cinebench R23 multi-core (59% lead), Cinebench R15 multi-core (49.8% lead), data compression (29.7% lead), and random string sorting (23.2% lead). These results make it the appropriate choice for content creation, compilation, data processing, and any workload that scales across threads. The 79th percentile ranking among all CPUs reinforces its position as a high-performance mobile processor.

The Intel Core 5 120U does not win any measured test, but its 15W TDP and 10-core configuration may suit low-power designs where thermal and energy constraints outweigh raw performance. Its 72nd percentile ranking still places it above the majority of CPUs, and its 5.00 GHz boost clock is the highest of the two, which could benefit lightly threaded tasks in short bursts. However, the recorded data shows no benchmark where Intel outperforms AMD, so any selection of the Intel part must rest on unmeasured factors such as platform cost, availability, or specific motherboard requirements. The database verdict is unambiguous: for performance, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 delivers the superior result across all 15 head-to-head comparisons.