AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 records an average benchmark score of 40048, while the Intel Core 5 120U records 17898. This places the AMD part at the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database, versus the 72nd percentile for the Intel part.

Q: Which CPU has the higher core count and thread count?

A: Both processors have 10 cores. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 supports 20 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120U supports 12 threads. The difference in thread count is a direct result of simultaneous multithreading implementation on each architecture.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Both parts reach the same maximum boost frequency, but the AMD processor starts from a higher base.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 rank against its nearest rivals?

A: The database shows the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 sits within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, Intel Core 5 221E, AMD Ryzen 9 270, and Intel Core i9-13905H. Its average score of 40048 is only 0.1% below the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081.

Q: What are the process node and foundry differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120U uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The die size for the AMD part is 233 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor wins the head-to-head benchmark comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core 5 120U. The Intel part does not register a single win in the database comparison.

The Verdict

The recorded data presents an unambiguous outcome for these two mobile processors. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 outperforms the Intel Core 5 120U across every single benchmark in the head-to-head set, with margins ranging from 10.4% to 180.8%. The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 40048 versus 17898, a gap that places the two chips 15 percentile points apart in the database ranking.

For workloads that prioritize multi-threaded throughput, the AMD part is the clear choice. Cinebench R23 multicore shows an 180.8% advantage, and Geekbench multicore shows a 133.7% advantage. The AMD processor also leads in single-thread performance, with a 30.5% Geekbench single-core margin and a 13.4% Cinebench R23 single-core margin. Anyone selecting a processor for sustained rendering, compilation, or data-heavy tasks should look at the Ryzen AI 9 365 based on the benchmark evidence alone.

The Intel Core 5 120U is not without a role, however. Its 15 W TDP is lower than the 28 W TDP of the AMD part, and it is built on a 10 nm Intel process. The data does not include power efficiency benchmarks, so a direct efficiency comparison is not possible from the recorded results. The Intel chip also supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5, which can matter for platform cost and availability. Systems using the Intel part could target more power-constrained chassis designs.

The verdict from the data is direct: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is the stronger processor in every measured benchmark category. The Intel Core 5 120U remains relevant only for scenarios where the lower TDP or DDR4 compatibility outweighs the significant performance deficit.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head table in the database records 17 benchmark comparisons, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 wins all 17. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the AMD part scores 18698 against 6659 for the Intel Core 5 120U, a 180.8% difference. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a similar pattern: 2842 versus 1150.5, a 147% lead.

PassMark extended instructions produce a 170.1% advantage for the AMD processor, with scores of 25113 against 9299. This test measures the performance of advanced instruction set workloads, and the gap indicates a major architectural efficiency difference. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 120.8% lead for AMD, and PassMark data compression shows a 113% lead, with scores of 354510 versus 166432.

Geekbench multicore results confirm the trend: 13760 for AMD versus 5888 for Intel, a 133.7% margin. PassMark multithread scores also favor AMD heavily, 29467 versus 15042, a 95.9% difference. PassMark integer math shows a 94.8% lead, and PassMark physics shows an 81.9% lead with 1704 versus 937.

The smallest margins still favor AMD. PassMark single thread shows 3841 versus 3479, a 10.4% advantage. Cinebench R23 single core shows 1992 versus 1756.5, a 13.4% lead. Cinebench R15 single core shows a 23.7% margin, and Geekbench single core shows a 30.5% margin with 2253 versus 1727.

PassMark floating point math records a 74.3% AMD lead, and PassMark data encryption shows a 75% advantage. PassMark random string sorting completes the set with a 107% AMD lead. Across all tested categories, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 delivers consistently higher throughput, with the largest gaps appearing in multi-threaded and extended instruction workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several core specifications. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has 20 threads from its 10 cores, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 12 threads from its 10 cores. Base clocks differ: 2.00 GHz for AMD versus 1.40 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks match at 5.00 GHz.

TDP is another differentiator. The AMD part is rated at 28 W, and the Intel part is rated at 15 W. This makes the Intel chip the lower-power option on paper, though the database does not include efficiency measurements to quantify the trade-off.

The socket and platform differ completely. AMD uses the AMD Socket FP8, while Intel uses Intel BGA 1744. The AMD processor is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Point codename and the Ryzen AI 300 generation. The Intel processor uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename and the Core 5 generation.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 per core and 16 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core.

Memory support shows a notable split. The AMD processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD part records a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

PCIe lane counts differ. The AMD part provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU-only lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU-only lanes. Process node and foundry also differ: TSMC 4 nm for AMD versus Intel 10 nm for the Intel part.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 uses the Radeon 880M, and the Intel Core 5 120U uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 uses the Zen 5 architecture, which is a newer design than the Raptor Lake architecture in the Intel Core 5 120U. This architectural gap helps explain the benchmark results. Zen 5 is paired with the Strix Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 generation that combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The Intel part uses Raptor Lake-U, a more established design in the Core 5 generation.

The process node advantage belongs to AMD. The Ryzen AI 9 365 is manufactured on a 4 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core 5 120U uses a 10 nm Intel process. The die size for the AMD part is 233 mm², and no die size is recorded for the Intel part. A smaller process node typically allows for better power efficiency and higher transistor density, which aligns with the performance margins observed in the benchmarks.

Threading support is a significant architectural difference. The AMD part supports 20 threads from 10 cores, indicating full simultaneous multithreading across all cores. The Intel part supports 12 threads from 10 cores, indicating a hybrid arrangement where only some cores support multithreading. This directly impacts multi-threaded benchmark results, where the AMD part leads by margins as large as 180.8%.

Cache hierarchy differs in L2 and L3 allocation. The AMD part uses 1 MB of L2 per core and 16 MB of L3. The Intel part uses 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 pool on the AMD side can benefit workloads with high data locality.

The integrated graphics differ by architecture generation. AMD pairs the Zen 5 CPU with Radeon 880M graphics, while Intel pairs Raptor Lake with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the performance relationship between these iGPUs cannot be quantified here.

Memory controller support also reflects the architectural split. The AMD part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5, with no bandwidth figure recorded. The addition of DDR4 support on the Intel side suggests broader platform compatibility with older memory modules.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 wins in every recorded benchmark category, so the use-case split is defined by the magnitude of its advantages rather than by any Intel victories. The largest AMD leads appear in multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads. Cinebench R23 multicore, Cinebench R15 multicore, and PassMark extended instructions all show AMD advantages above 147%. These results indicate that rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing workloads will see the biggest performance gap between the two processors.

The AMD part also leads in data-intensive tasks. PassMark data compression shows a 113% advantage, and PassMark random string sorting shows a 107% advantage. PassMark integer math shows a 94.8% lead, and PassMark floating point math shows a 74.3% lead. For database operations, file compression, and numerical simulation, the AMD processor delivers roughly double the throughput of the Intel part.

Single-threaded workloads still favor AMD, though by smaller margins. Geekbench single core shows a 30.5% advantage, and PassMark single thread shows a 10.4% advantage. Applications that depend on single-core performance, such as older software or lightly threaded interactive tools, will still run faster on the AMD processor, but the gap is narrower than in multi-threaded scenarios.

The Intel Core 5 120U does not win any benchmark category, but its lower 15 W TDP and DDR4 memory support give it a platform-level profile that the AMD part does not match. The database does not include power consumption or efficiency benchmarks, so the practical battery life impact cannot be measured from the recorded data. Systems that require a 15 W processor or that must use DDR4 memory would need to choose the Intel part despite its performance deficit.

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is the appropriate selection for users who prioritize raw compute performance across all measured workloads. The Intel Core 5 120U is the appropriate selection only for system designs that require its specific power envelope or memory compatibility, accepting a substantial performance gap in exchange.