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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head record is lopsided: the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 wins 12 of 15 benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 120 takes only 3. The largest AMD margin comes in PassMark random string sorting, where it scores 32344 against 21499, a 50.4% advantage. That result points to strong memory subsystem handling and integer throughput under unordered workloads. Data compression and encryption both favor AMD by 34.1%, with scores of 294298 versus 219535 and 14925 versus 11131 respectively. Integer math also shows a decisive gap: 86227 versus 60462, a 42.6% edge. Extended instructions, a proxy for SIMD and crypto-heavy code, deliver AMD a 45.7% lead (20778 versus 14264).

The AMD chip also wins the more traditional multithreaded tests. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2457 versus 1840, a 33.5% advantage. PassMark multithread confirms the pattern at 24779 versus 18597, a 33.2% delta. Floating point math goes AMD's way by 16.7% (52971 versus 45383). Even the near-tie in PassMark physics belongs to AMD, 1337 versus 1333, a marginal 0.3% margin. Prime number finding is also an AMD win, 84 versus 77, a 9.1% gap. In single-threaded PassMark, AMD leads 3955 versus 3595, a 10% advantage.

Intel's wins are confined to Cinebench. The Core 5 120 posts a 259 single-core score in Cinebench R15 versus AMD's 220, a 15.1% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel extends that margin to 22%, scoring 2577 against 2010. The Intel chip also takes Cinebench R23 multicore, 18255 versus 16054, a 12.1% advantage. Those three wins share a common thread: Intel's higher base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost of 4.50 GHz appear to translate directly into Cinebench's rendering workload, which responds to clock speed and per-core efficiency. AMD's wins, by contrast, dominate the PassMark suite across math, encryption, compression, and sorting.

The average benchmark score reinforces the split. AMD sits at 37093, with its nearest rival the Intel Core i9-12900T at 37112, a delta of only -0.1%. Intel's Core 5 120 averages 25362, placing it next to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D at 25365, a 0.0% delta. The percentile ranking also separates them: AMD sits at the 85th percentile of all CPUs, Intel at the 77th.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 dominates workloads that stress parallel integer operations, cryptography, compression, and memory-level parallelism. Data encryption and compression both show a 34.1% lead. Random string sorting, which depends heavily on pointer chasing and memory access patterns, shows the largest single advantage at 50.4%. Integer math and extended instructions also fall firmly in AMD's column. For applications that compile code, run databases, handle archives, or process encryption, the data points clearly to AMD.

The Intel Core 5 120 wins in Cinebench, both single-core and multi-core. The R23 single-core margin of 22% is its strongest result, and the R15 single-core margin of 15.1% supports the same conclusion. The R23 multi-core win of 12.1% is notable because AMD has more cores (8 versus 6) and more threads (16 versus 12), yet Intel still pulls ahead in this specific render test. That suggests Intel's Raptor Lake architecture extracts more usable performance per thread in Cinebench's workload, likely due to higher clocks. The Intel chip also holds a small edge in Cinebench R15 single-core, where its score of 259 surpasses AMD's 220.

The split is essentially workload-dependent. Rendering and single-threaded Cinebench tasks favor Intel. Compression, encryption, math, sorting, and general multithreaded PassMark work favor AMD. The AMD chip also edges Intel in PassMark single-thread (3955 versus 3595), so Intel's Cinebench single-core wins do not generalize to all single-threaded tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design schools. AMD uses a Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, codenamed Gorgon Point, part of the Ryzen AI PRO 400 generation that mixes Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. Intel uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm Intel process, codenamed Raptor Lake-R, part of the Core 5 Raptor Lake Refresh generation. The process node difference is significant: 4 nm allows AMD to pack more transistors in a 195 mm² die, while Intel's 163 mm² die uses a less dense process.

Core counts differ. AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads; Intel has 6 cores and 12 threads. Both share a per-core L1 cache of 80 KB and per-core L2, though Intel's L2 is larger at 1.25 MB per core versus AMD's 1 MB. The L3 cache is a major split: AMD has 8 MB total, while Intel has 18 MB shared. That larger L3 likely helps Intel in Cinebench workloads that reuse data, but it does not overcome AMD's advantages in memory bandwidth and compression tasks.

Memory support diverges. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and a rated bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, plus ECC memory support. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory, but the database lists no memory bandwidth figure and no ECC support. That gives AMD a clear platform advantage for error-correcting workloads and high-bandwidth memory configurations.

PCIe generations differ as well. AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes; Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Intel's newer PCIe standard offers more interface bandwidth, but AMD's overall memory bandwidth and ECC support may matter more for sustained compute tasks. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon 860M, Intel uses UHD Graphics 730.

The market segments are distinct. AMD is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP8 with a 28 W TDP. Intel is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP. The TDP gap explains some of the performance differences: Intel consumes more power and runs higher clocks, while AMD achieves its results at a much lower thermal envelope. Release dates also differ, with AMD dated 2026-01-04 and Intel dated 2025-07-30, making Intel the earlier release.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

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

Q: Why does Intel win Cinebench R23 multi-core despite having fewer cores?

A: Intel scores 18255 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus AMD's 16054, a 12.1% lead. Intel's higher base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.50 GHz, combined with 18 MB of shared L3 cache, appear to deliver better per-thread performance in this rendering workload.

Q: Where does AMD show its largest performance advantage?

A: AMD's largest win is in PassMark random string sorting, where it scores 32344 versus Intel's 21499, a 50.4% lead. It also leads by 45.7% in extended instructions and 42.6% in integer math.

Q: What memory features does each processor support?

A: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory, 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC memory. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory, but the database lists no bandwidth figure and no ECC support.

Q: How do the processors compare in overall benchmark percentile?

A: AMD ranks at the 85th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 37093. Intel ranks at the 77th percentile with an average score of 25362.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: AMD has a TDP of 28 W, while Intel has a TDP of 65 W. AMD's lower TDP is notable given its strong multithreaded PassMark results.

The Verdict

The data describes two processors with different strengths. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 wins 12 of 15 head-to-head tests and carries a higher average benchmark score (37093 versus 25362). Its wins span encryption, compression, integer math, floating point, sorting, and PassMark multithread. The 85th percentile ranking places it among higher-performing CPUs overall. For workloads involving data processing, cryptography, archives, or parallel integer tasks, the recorded numbers favor AMD.

The Intel Core 5 120 wins exactly three tests, all in Cinebench, with its R23 single-core margin of 22% being the standout. Its 18 MB L3 cache, higher clocks, and 65 W TDP support rendering performance. Desktop users running Cinebench-style render workloads may see an advantage with Intel. The 77th percentile ranking and proximity to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (delta 0.0%) place it in a different performance class.

The choice depends on the workload. AMD's lower TDP (28 W versus 65 W), ECC memory support, and dominance across the PassMark suite make it the stronger all-around compute processor in the measured data. Intel's Cinebench wins indicate a specific rendering-oriented strength, but those three wins do not offset AMD's 12 wins or its higher average score. The recorded measurements show AMD as the higher-performing part in the majority of tests, with Intel holding a niche in Cinebench rendering and single-core Cinebench tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 | Intel Core 5 120 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Ryzen AI PRO 400 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) | Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die size | 195 mm² | 163 mm² |

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

| L3 cache | 8 MB | 18 MB (shared) |

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

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

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 860M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2026-01-04 | 2025-07-30 |

| Part number | 100-000001865 | SA35V |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $211 |