AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two processors into a clear pattern: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 wins 14 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 120 takes a single victory. That one win, however, is significant because it lands in a single-core workload, which tells a distinct story about each chip's strengths.

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 dominates in multi-threaded and parallel workloads. Its largest margins come in passmark_random_string_sorting at 83.5% ahead, passmark_extended_instructions at 76.1% ahead, and passmark_integer_math at 68.4% ahead. These are compute-heavy tasks that scale with core count and thread count, and the AMD part has a structural advantage: 10 cores and 20 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads on the Intel side. The data shows that in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip leads by 2.4%, a modest margin compared to its larger wins in Passmark suites, but still a win.

The Intel Core 5 120 takes its sole victory in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 2577 against AMD's 1992, a 22.7% advantage. This is a meaningful result for lightly threaded applications such as older games or certain productivity tools that rely on a single fast core. The Intel part also posts a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2.00 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 5.00 GHz, though the AMD chip boosts higher in absolute terms.

For users prioritizing spreadsheet-like integer operations, data compression, or encryption tasks, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is the clear choice. The passmark_data_compression test shows AMD at 354510 versus Intel's 219535, a 61.5% gap. Encryption follows with a 64.4% gap. Floating-point math also favors AMD by 38.4%. In contrast, the Intel part's single-core edge suggests it could handle latency-sensitive tasks with fewer threads more responsively, even if the overall multi-threaded throughput is lower.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 233 mm². Its codename is Strix Point, and it belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 generation. The Intel Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process, with a die size of 163 mm², and is part of the Core 5 series under the Raptor Lake Refresh codename.

Core and cache configurations diverge sharply. AMD offers 10 cores and 20 threads with an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 1 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 16 MB. Intel offers 6 cores and 12 threads with an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 18 MB. Despite having fewer cores, the Intel part has a larger L3 cache and a slightly larger per-core L2, which may help its single-core performance.

Memory support also differs. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and a measured memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure. PCIe connectivity is another split: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the Ryzen AI 9 365 with Radeon 880M graphics, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. Both are active production parts, but they target different market segments: AMD is a mobile processor on the FP8 socket, while Intel is a desktop processor on Socket 1700. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $211, which appears once in this analysis as a stated figure; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a consistent pattern of AMD dominance in multi-threaded workloads, with one notable Intel counterpoint in single-core performance. Starting with Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 scores 2842 in multi-core against Intel's 1840, a 54.5% advantage. In single-core R15, AMD leads by a smaller 17% margin, scoring 303 versus 259.

Cinebench R23 tells a slightly different story. In multi-core, the AMD part wins narrowly with 18698 against Intel's 18255, a 2.4% margin. This is the closest multi-threaded race in the dataset, indicating that the Intel chip can hold its own when the workload is more balanced. The single-core R23 result, however, flips decisively to Intel: 2577 versus 1992, a 22.7% advantage for Intel. This is the only test where Intel wins, and it is a substantial one.

Passmark tests amplify the AMD lead across the board. The largest gap appears in random string sorting, where AMD scores 39447 against Intel's 21499, an 83.5% delta. Extended instructions show AMD at 25113 versus 14264, a 76.1% gap. Integer math follows with 101831 versus 60462, a 68.4% gap. Data encryption shows AMD at 18297 versus 11131, a 64.4% gap, while data compression shows 354510 versus 219535, a 61.5% gap.

Multi-threaded Passmark results continue the trend: AMD scores 29467 versus Intel's 18597, a 58.5% gap. Floating-point math favors AMD at 62802 versus 45383, a 38.4% margin. Physics tests show AMD at 1704 versus 1333, a 27.8% gap. Prime number finding has AMD at 117 versus 77, a 51.9% gap. Even in single-thread Passmark, AMD edges ahead with 3841 versus 3595, a 6.8% margin, though this is far smaller than its multi-threaded wins.

The overall benchmark averages reflect this split: AMD's average benchmark score is 40048 versus Intel's 25362. AMD also ranks in the 87th percentile among all CPUs, while Intel sits in the 77th percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081 (a 0.1% difference), the Intel Core 5 221E at 40144 (0.2% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 9 270 at 40246 (0.5% behind). Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D at 25365 (a 0.0% delta), the Intel Core i7-11700KF at 25423 (0.2% ahead of Intel), and the Intel Core i5-13400F at 25292 (0.3% behind Intel).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 wins all multi-core tests in the dataset. It leads Cinebench R15 multi-core by 54.5%, Cinebench R23 multi-core by 2.4%, and passmark_multithread by 58.5%. Its 10 cores and 20 threads outnumber Intel's 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Where does the Intel Core 5 120 outperform the AMD part?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 2577 versus 1992, a 22.7% advantage. This indicates a stronger single-threaded performance in that specific benchmark, despite the AMD chip having a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 4.50 GHz.

Q: How do the cache configurations compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core 5 120 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger L3 and per-core L2 may contribute to its single-core win.

Q: What are the socket and market differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 uses AMD Socket FP8 and targets the mobile segment, while the Intel Core 5 120 uses Intel Socket 1700 and targets the desktop segment. This affects upgrade paths and system compatibility, as they are not interchangeable.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 includes Radeon 880M graphics, while the Intel Core 5 120 includes UHD Graphics 730. The database does not provide benchmark scores for these iGPUs, so a direct performance comparison is not possible from the recorded data.

Q: How do the two parts compare in overall benchmark average?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has an average benchmark score of 40048, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 120 has an average of 25362, placing it in the 77th percentile. AMD's nearest rivals are within a 0.7% delta, while Intel's nearest rivals are within a 0.3% delta.

The Verdict

The data directs different users toward different chips, but the overall balance leans heavily toward AMD. The Ryzen AI 9 365 wins 14 of 15 head-to-head tests, with an average benchmark score roughly 58% higher than the Intel part. For any workload that scales with cores and threads, including data compression, encryption, integer math, or multi-threaded rendering, the AMD chip is the stronger choice by a wide margin. Its 10-core, 20-thread configuration and 4 nm process deliver consistently higher throughput across Passmark and Cinebench suites.

The Intel Core 5 120 serves a narrower purpose. Its single-core Cinebench R23 score is 22.7% higher than AMD's, which suggests it may handle certain lightly threaded tasks with lower latency. Its larger L3 cache at 18 MB and higher base clock at 2.50 GHz support this profile. But in every other recorded benchmark, Intel trails, often by double-digit percentages. The Intel part also draws a higher TDP at 65 watts versus 28 watts, though the database does not list power efficiency or thermal data beyond these figures.

For a desktop builder focused on single-threaded responsiveness in a specific application, the Intel Core 5 120 has a documented edge. For nearly any other use case, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 delivers more measured performance. The 87th percentile placement for AMD versus the 77th for Intel reinforces that ranking. The choice comes down to whether that one single-core win matters more than the 14 wins on the AMD side.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several specification fields. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for AMD and 2.50 GHz for Intel; boost clocks are 5.00 GHz for AMD and 4.50 GHz for Intel. TDP is 28 watts for AMD and 65 watts for Intel.

Sockets differ: AMD uses AMD Socket FP8, Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. Architecture and process node also diverge: AMD uses Zen 5 on a 4 nm TSMC process, Intel uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm Intel process. Die size is 233 mm² for AMD and 163 mm² for Intel. L2 cache is 1 MB per core for AMD and 1.25 MB per core for Intel; L3 cache is 16 MB shared for AMD and 18 MB shared for Intel.

Memory support differs, with AMD supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X and Intel supporting DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is listed at 89.6 GB/s for AMD, with no figure for Intel. PCIe generation differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 880M for AMD and UHD Graphics 730 for Intel. Market segments are mobile for AMD and desktop for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $211; AMD has no launch MSRP recorded.