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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 wins all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 120UL, with no benchmark favoring the Intel part. The magnitude of these victories varies considerably across workload types, revealing distinct performance characteristics for each processor.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD processor scores 18,698 against Intel's 8,974, a 108.4% advantage. This more than doubles the multi-threaded rendering output. The single-core gap is narrower but still substantial: the AMD part delivers 1,992 points versus 1,266, a 57.3% lead. The older Cinebench R15 test shows an even larger multi-core disparity at 214.4% (2,842 vs 904), while single-core R15 results show a 138.6% gap (303 vs 127).

The PassMark suite reinforces this pattern with even more dramatic spreads. The extended instructions test shows the largest relative difference at 382.7%, with AMD scoring 25,113 versus Intel's 5,203. Data compression follows closely at 225% (354,510 vs 109,090), and random string sorting shows a 189.8% gap (39,447 vs 13,610). Multi-threaded performance in PassMark gives AMD a 179.1% lead (29,467 vs 10,558), while integer math shows a 167.6% advantage (101,831 vs 38,060).

The smaller deltas still favor AMD by wide margins. Prime number finding shows a 148.9% gap (117 vs 47), floating-point math a 138.7% edge (62,802 vs 26,311), and data encryption a 138.1% lead (18,297 vs 7,685). Physics simulation in PassMark gives AMD 1,704 against Intel's 807, a 111.2% difference. Single-thread performance in PassMark shows the narrowest relative gap at 84.7% (3,841 vs 2,080), yet this still represents a commanding lead.

The average benchmark scores underscore the overall separation. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 holds an average score of 40,048 across its benchmark suite, placing it at the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 120UL averages 13,594, sitting at the 68th percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (average 40,081, delta -0.1%), Intel Core 5 221E (40,144, -0.2%), AMD Ryzen 9 270 (40,246, -0.5%), and Intel Core i9-13905H (40,313, -0.7%). The Intel Core 5 120UL's nearest competitors are notably slower: Intel Core i3-12100F (13,494, +0.7%), Intel Core 3 N355 (13,492, +0.8%), Intel Core i5-9500 (13,452, +1.1%), and Intel Core 3 304 (13,745, -1.1%).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 dominates every measured category, but the scale of its advantage points to specific strengths. The largest gaps appear in extended instructions and data compression, suggesting the AMD processor's architecture handles complex instruction sets and compression algorithms with particular efficiency. The 382.7% lead in extended instructions indicates a fundamental throughput advantage in SIMD-heavy or specialized instruction workloads.

Multi-threaded scenarios show AMD's 20 threads versus Intel's 12 threads delivering consistent 108-214% advantages across rendering benchmarks. The Cinebench results confirm that heavily parallel workloads scale effectively on the AMD processor, while the Intel part's hybrid 10-core, 12-thread configuration falls further behind as thread counts increase.

Single-thread performance tells a more nuanced story. The Cinebench R23 single-core gap of 57.3% and PassMark single-thread gap of 84.7% are the smallest relative differences in the entire comparison. This suggests that while the AMD processor still leads decisively in single-threaded tasks, the Intel Core 5 120UL is comparatively less disadvantaged in lightly threaded applications. The Intel part's 4.60 GHz boost clock cannot overcome the AMD processor's 5.00 GHz boost and architectural efficiency.

Memory-sensitive workloads also favor AMD. The data encryption test shows a 138.1% gap, and the AMD processor's 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth (versus no recorded bandwidth figure for Intel) likely contributes to this result. The AMD part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, though the recorded bandwidth advantage sits with AMD.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 outperforms the Intel Core 5 120UL in every single benchmark measurement. The 15-0 win tally, combined with an average benchmark score nearly three times higher (40,048 vs 13,594), positions the AMD processor in a completely different performance tier.

The AMD processor's 87th percentile ranking versus Intel's 68th percentile places them 19 percentile points apart. This gap means the AMD part competes with desktop-class processors like the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and Intel Core i9-13905H, while the Intel part aligns with entry-level desktop chips like the Intel Core i3-12100F and Core i5-9500.

Users requiring multi-threaded rendering, data compression, or encryption throughput should choose the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 without hesitation. The 108.4% Cinebench R23 multi-core lead and 225% data compression advantage represent transformative differences in productivity workloads. Even single-threaded tasks, where the gap is smallest, show the AMD processor delivering 57.3% higher Cinebench R23 single-core scores.

The Intel Core 5 120UL's lower 15 W TDP versus AMD's 28 W TDP suggests a power efficiency trade-off, but the benchmark data shows the AMD processor delivers its performance while consuming only 13 W more. For workloads that can tolerate the higher power envelope, the AMD processor's output justifies the difference. The Intel part's DDR4 support offers broader memory compatibility, but this does not translate into any benchmark advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 scores 18,698 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 8,974 for the Intel Core 5 120UL, a 108.4% advantage.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The AMD processor leads by 57.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1,992 vs 1,266) and by 84.7% in PassMark single-thread (3,841 vs 2,080).

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two?

A: The PassMark extended instructions test shows the biggest gap at 382.7%, with AMD scoring 25,113 versus Intel's 5,203.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 averages 40,048 across its benchmarks and ranks at the 87th percentile, while the Intel Core 5 120UL averages 13,594 and ranks at the 68th percentile.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any benchmark?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head data shows 15 wins for the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 and 0 wins for the Intel Core 5 120UL.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor?

A: The AMD processor's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40,081 average score (0.1% lower). The Intel processor's closest rival is the Intel Core i3-12100F at 13,494 average score (0.7% lower).

Architecture Differences

The two processors implement fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 uses the Zen 5 microarchitecture under the Strix Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 300 generation that combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It is fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 233 mm². The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-PS codename, part of the Core 5 generation, built on Intel's 10 nm process.

Both processors feature 10 cores, but the thread counts differ: the AMD part supports 20 threads through simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel part supports 12 threads. The AMD processor's boost clock reaches 5.00 GHz from a 2.00 GHz base, while the Intel part boosts to 4.60 GHz from a 1.30 GHz base.

Cache configurations show notable differences. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core (though Intel lists 1.25 MB per core). The L3 cache differs substantially: AMD provides 16 MB, while Intel provides 12 MB shared. This 4 MB L3 advantage for AMD likely contributes to its performance lead in cache-sensitive workloads.

The AMD processor integrates Radeon 880M graphics, while the Intel part uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The AMD processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory across a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, but no bandwidth figure is recorded.

PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD processor provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are currently in active production.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 and Intel Core 5 120UL differ across several recorded specifications. The AMD processor has 20 threads versus 12 for Intel, despite both having 10 cores. Base clocks differ by 0.70 GHz (2.00 GHz vs 1.30 GHz), and boost clocks differ by 0.40 GHz (5.00 GHz vs 4.60 GHz). The AMD processor carries a 28 W TDP versus 15 W for Intel.

Process technology separates them by node size: AMD uses 4 nm at TSMC, while Intel uses 10 nm at its own foundry. The AMD processor has a recorded die size of 233 mm², while no die size is recorded for Intel. L2 cache per core shows a slight difference (1 MB vs 1.25 MB), and L3 cache differs by 4 MB (16 MB vs 12 MB). The AMD processor's memory bandwidth is recorded at 89.6 GB/s, while Intel's is not recorded. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. PCIe lane counts differ: AMD provides 16 lanes versus 8 for Intel. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 880M versus Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The market segments differ: AMD targets mobile, while Intel targets desktop. Release dates differ by roughly three months: AMD launched on 2024-06-30, while Intel launched on 2024-04-07.