AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data separates these two mobile processors decisively. AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins 14 of 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while Intel Core 5 120U takes a single win in Cinebench R15 single-core. The AMD part posts an average benchmark score of 39485 against Intel's 17898, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs versus the 72nd percentile for Intel. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 sits within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D in average score, while the Intel Core 5 120U matches the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT almost exactly with a 0% delta. For workloads that scale across cores, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 is the clear choice; its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 18316 versus 6659 represents a 175.1% advantage. The Intel Core 5 120U offers a lower thermal envelope at 15W versus 28W, which suits fanless or ultra-thin designs, but the benchmark data shows it trails substantially in nearly every compute task. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Intel part, making it the more robust option for data-integrity-sensitive mobile workstations.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 uses Zen 5 architecture on a 4nm TSMC process, with the codename Gorgon Point and a Ryzen AI 400 generation designation that includes both Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It integrates 8 cores and 16 threads, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of L3 cache. The die measures 195 mm². The Intel Core 5 120U uses Raptor Lake architecture on Intel's 10nm process, with the Raptor Lake-U codename. It packs 10 cores and 12 threads, with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has no die size recorded in the database.

Memory support differs significantly. The AMD processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the AMD side, while the Intel part lacks ECC support. PCIe connectivity also diverges: the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Intel Core 5 120U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well, with AMD using Radeon 860M and Intel using Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD part sits in AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1744. Both are active mobile parts with locked multipliers, and neither has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120U boosts to 5.00 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 2.00 GHz versus 1.40 GHz.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part wins all multicore benchmarks in the head-to-head data.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part also has slightly more L2 per core at 1.25 MB versus 1 MB.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has a 28W TDP, while the Intel Core 5 120U has a 15W TDP. The Intel part draws less power, which may benefit compact or passively cooled systems.

Q: Do both processors support PCIe Gen 4?

A: Yes, both support PCIe Gen 4, but the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 provides 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Intel Core 5 120U provides 8 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120U does not list ECC support in the database.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 | Intel Core 5 120U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base clock | 2.00 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 28W | 15W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Raptor Lake-U |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die size | 195 mm² | Not recorded |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 8 MB | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 860M | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Release date | 2026-01-04 | 2024-01-07 |

| Part number | 100-000001868 | SRM7P |

Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, dual-channel memory buses, mobile market segments, active production status, and locked multipliers. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 dominates the multicore tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD scores 18316 against Intel's 6659, a 175.1% advantage. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a similar pattern: 2713 versus 1150.5, a 135.8% lead. The PassMark multithread test also favors AMD strongly, with 26350 versus 15042, a 75.2% difference. These results indicate that the AMD processor scales much better across all cores, despite having fewer cores than the Intel part.

The single-core picture is mixed. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 scores 2038 against 1756.5, a 16% advantage. The PassMark single-thread test shows AMD at 3901 versus 3479, a 12.1% lead. However, in Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel Core 5 120U wins with 245 against AMD's 215, a 12.2% margin. This is the only benchmark in the head-to-head set where Intel comes out ahead.

Integer and floating-point workloads strongly favor AMD. PassMark integer math scores 88531 for AMD versus 52280 for Intel, a 69.3% lead. PassMark floating-point math shows 54447 versus 36026, a 51.1% advantage. Extended instructions also lean heavily toward AMD: 22400 versus 9299, a 140.9% gap. Data compression and encryption follow the same trend, with AMD at 315906 versus 166432 in compression (89.8% lead) and 16247 versus 10453 in encryption (55.4% lead).

The remaining PassMark workloads all go to AMD. Physics scores 1578 versus 937, a 68.4% lead. Prime number finding scores 89 versus 53, a 67.9% margin. Random string sorting scores 35648 versus 19060, an 87% advantage. The overall win count stands at 14 for AMD and 1 for Intel, with the AMD part's average benchmark score of 39485 placing it near the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS, which averages 39603 with a delta of -0.3%. The Intel Core 5 120U's average of 17898 lands it alongside the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, which averages 17891 with a delta of 0%. The data consistently shows the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 as the higher-performing mobile processor, though the Intel Core 5 120U retains a single-core Cinebench R15 advantage and a lower 15W TDP.