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

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G and Intel Core 5 120 are two desktop processors aimed at different performance strata, and the benchmark data shows a clear and consistent separation between them. The Ryzen AI 7 450G claims victory in every single head-to-head test recorded in the database, 11 wins to zero, establishing it as the dominant performer in this comparison. The Intel Core 5 120, while a competent processor in its own right based on its absolute scores, is outclassed in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The data indicates that the primary differentiator is not a single architectural feature but a combination of core count, process technology, and memory bandwidth that collectively favor the AMD part.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen AI 7 450G wins in every category measured, but the margin of victory varies significantly by workload type, which reveals where each processor’s strengths lie. The AMD chip’s largest advantages come in memory and cache-sensitive tasks. In random string sorting, it scores 42663 against Intel’s 21499, a delta of 98.4 percent. This suggests superior memory subsystem performance and cache handling. Data compression shows a similar story, with AMD at 402831 versus 219535, an 83.5 percent advantage. These are workloads that rely heavily on data throughput and efficient memory access.

The Intel Core 5 120 does not have a single winning benchmark, but its closest performance comes in the physics test, where it scores 1333 against AMD’s 1440, a delta of only 8 percent. This indicates that in this specific simulated physics workload, the Intel chip is nearly competitive. The gap widens considerably in pure compute tasks. In integer math, AMD scores 99732 versus 60462, a 64.9 percent lead, and in floating point math, AMD scores 63683 versus 45383, a 40.3 percent lead. The extended instructions test shows a 97.9 percent delta, with AMD at 28223 and Intel at 14264, indicating a massive difference in SIMD and vectorized workload performance.

For single-threaded performance, the Ryzen AI 7 450G delivers a score of 4309 compared to Intel’s 3595, a 19.9 percent advantage. This is a substantial lead for a single-thread test and indicates that the AMD processor has a higher effective IPC and clock speed advantage in lightly threaded applications. The Intel chip’s higher base clock of 2.50 GHz compared to AMD’s 2.00 GHz does not translate into a win, as the AMD part’s boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus 4.50 GHz, combined with its newer architecture, overcomes the base clock deficit.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different platforms. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI 400 generation, which combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It is fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 195 mm². The Intel Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, and is part of the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. Intel builds this chip on its own 10 nm process, with a die size of 163 mm². The process node difference is significant, as the smaller 4 nm node allows AMD to pack more transistors into a similar thermal envelope.

Core configuration differs notably. The AMD part has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel part has 6 cores and 12 threads. This two-core advantage for AMD directly contributes to its multi-threaded performance lead. Cache layouts also differ. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but AMD has 1 MB of L2 per core, while Intel has 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is a major differentiator: AMD has 8 MB of L3, while Intel has 18 MB of shared L3. Despite having more than double the L3 cache, Intel still loses in cache-sensitive tests, which points to the efficiency of AMD’s memory controller and overall architecture.

Memory support is another clear split. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 120 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. Platform connectivity differs as well: AMD uses the AM5 socket with PCIe Gen 4 and 12 CPU lanes, while Intel uses the LGA 1700 socket with PCIe Gen 5 and 16 CPU lanes. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel chip is locked.

The integrated graphics solutions are different tiers. AMD includes the Radeon 860M, while Intel includes the UHD Graphics 730. The AMD processor has a higher TDP rating of 65 watts, matching Intel’s 65 watt TDP. The AMD chip was released later, with a release date of 2026-02-28, while the Intel chip was released on 2025-07-30. The Intel Core 5 120 has a launch MSRP of $211, while no MSRP is recorded for the AMD part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results show a consistent pattern of AMD dominance, with the largest margins in memory-heavy and SIMD workloads. The single biggest delta is in random string sorting, where the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G scores 42663 against Intel’s 21499, a 98.4 percent advantage. This test is highly dependent on memory latency and cache efficiency, and the result indicates that the AMD memory subsystem is substantially more capable. The extended instructions test follows closely, with AMD at 28223 and Intel at 14264, a 97.9 percent delta. This suggests that the Zen 5 cores handle AVX-style workloads significantly better than the Raptor Lake cores.

Data compression shows AMD at 402831 versus 219535, an 83.5 percent lead. This workload benefits from both multi-threading and memory bandwidth, and the AMD chip’s 8 cores and higher bandwidth deliver a decisive win. Encryption performance also favors AMD, with a score of 18937 versus 11131, a 70.1 percent delta. The integer math test shows AMD at 99732 versus 60462, a 64.9 percent lead, and the multi-thread test shows AMD at 30422 versus 18597, a 63.6 percent lead. These results confirm that the AMD processor’s additional cores and threads provide a substantial advantage in parallel workloads.

The smallest margins are in the physics test and prime number finding. In physics, AMD scores 1440 against Intel’s 1333, a delta of 8 percent. In prime numbers, AMD scores 87 against Intel’s 77, a 13 percent delta. These tests are less dependent on core count and memory bandwidth, and the results show that the Intel chip is closer to parity in these specific workloads. Floating point math shows AMD at 63683 versus 45383, a 40.3 percent lead, which is a moderate margin compared to the larger deltas seen in integer and memory tests. Single-thread performance shows AMD at 4309 versus 3595, a 19.9 percent lead, confirming that the AMD chip also holds the advantage in lightly threaded applications.

Looking at the broader database context, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G has an average benchmark score of 63331 and sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX with an average score of 63173 and a delta of 0.2 percent, the Intel Core i7-13790F at 63080 with a delta of 0.4 percent, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 at 63765 with a delta of -0.7 percent. The Intel Core 5 120, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of 25362 and sits in the 77th percentile. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D at 25365 with a delta of 0 percent, the Intel Core i7-11700KF at 25423 with a delta of -0.2 percent, and the Intel Core i5-13400F at 25292 with a delta of 0.3 percent. This places the two processors in entirely different performance tiers, with the AMD chip competing against high-end parts while the Intel chip competes with mid-range processors from several generations ago.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G scores 4309 in the passmark single-thread test, while the Intel Core 5 120 scores 3595, giving AMD a 19.9 percent advantage.

Q: How do the processors compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: In the passmark multi-thread test, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G scores 30422, while the Intel Core 5 120 scores 18597, a 63.6 percent lead for AMD.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Intel Core 5 120 supports DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 120 win any benchmark?

A: No, the recorded head-to-head data shows the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G winning all 11 benchmark comparisons, with the Intel Core 5 120 winning zero.

Q: How do the two processors rank among all CPUs in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G is in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 120 is in the 77th percentile.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G is the superior processor in this comparison. It wins all 11 head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 8 percent in physics to 98.4 percent in random string sorting. The AMD chip delivers a 19.9 percent lead in single-thread performance, a 63.6 percent lead in multi-thread performance, and a 64.9 percent lead in integer math. Its average benchmark score of 63331 places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 120’s average score of 25362 places it in the 77th percentile. The two processors are not in the same performance class, as evidenced by the fact that the AMD chip’s nearest rivals include high-end parts like the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390, while the Intel chip’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D and the Intel Core i5-13400F.

For workloads that depend on memory bandwidth, such as data compression and random string sorting, the AMD chip’s advantage is overwhelming, with deltas of 83.5 percent and 98.4 percent respectively. For SIMD and vectorized workloads, the extended instructions test shows a 97.9 percent delta in AMD’s favor. The Intel Core 5 120 does have some redeeming qualities: it offers PCIe Gen 5 connectivity with 16 lanes, which the AMD chip does not match, and it has a larger 18 MB L3 cache. However, these features do not translate into benchmark wins. The Intel chip’s closest performance is in the physics test, where it trails by only 8 percent, and in prime number finding, where it trails by 13 percent. The data shows that the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G is the clear choice for users prioritizing raw performance, while the Intel Core 5 120 may appeal to those requiring PCIe Gen 5 support, but its benchmark results indicate a significantly lower performance ceiling.