AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core 5 120 is decisively one-sided. Out of 15 shared tests, the AMD processor wins 14, with the Intel chip taking only a single victory. The magnitude of the AMD wins varies from narrow single-thread margins to more than doubling Intel's scores in several workloads.

The most lopsided results come from PassMark's integer-heavy and sorting tests. In random string sorting, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 44552 against Intel's 21499, a 107.2% advantage. Extended instructions follow closely with a 105.2% lead (29269 vs 14264), and integer math shows a 101.4% gap (121754 vs 60462). These are workloads that scale with core count and thread count, and the AMD part has double the cores and threads (12 cores, 24 threads vs 6 cores, 12 threads).

Data compression and encryption also show massive gaps. The AMD chip scores 404918 in data compression versus 219535 for Intel, a 84.4% difference. Data encryption shows an 86.9% lead (20802 vs 11131). This pattern confirms that the AMD processor's advantage grows in parallel, thread-scalable tasks.

Cinebench results tell a more nuanced story. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 3334 against Intel's 1840, an 81.2% lead. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the gap narrows to 19.5% (21812 vs 18255). The R23 suite is more demanding and may not scale as perfectly across the AMD's 12 cores, but the AMD part still holds a clear edge. Single-core results flip: Intel wins Cinebench R23 singlecore by 22.9% (2577 vs 1988), while AMD wins Cinebench R15 singlecore by 16.2% (301 vs 259). The Intel boost clock of 4.50 GHz is lower than AMD's 5.10 GHz, yet Intel's Raptor Lake architecture delivers stronger single-core performance in the newer R23 test.

PassMark single-thread results give AMD a modest 7.6% win (3867 vs 3595), which conflicts with the R23 singlecore result. This suggests the two chips trade blows depending on the exact instruction mix and test methodology. Floating point math shows AMD ahead by 65.6% (75153 vs 45383), and prime number finding shows a 58.4% lead (122 vs 77). Physics simulation in PassMark gives AMD a 36.5% edge (1819 vs 1333). The overall PassMark multithread score places AMD at 32916 versus Intel's 18597, a 77% difference.

The average benchmark score in the database confirms the hierarchy: AMD sits at 46030, Intel at 25362. AMD's percentile ranking is 89 versus Intel's 77. AMD's nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 (delta -0.1%), AMD EPYC 4364P (delta 0.1%), Intel Core i9-13900HX (delta -0.1%), and AMD EPYC 7303 (delta 0.2%). Intel's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (delta 0%), Intel Core i7-11700KF (delta -0.2%), Intel Core i5-13400F (delta 0.3%), and AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (delta -0.3%). Intel's score is essentially tied with that group, while AMD sits in a much higher performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. AMD has exactly double the core and thread count.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Intel starts at a higher base frequency, but AMD boosts higher.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 wins Cinebench R23 singlecore with a score of 2577 versus AMD's 1988, a 22.9% advantage. This is the only test Intel wins in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: How large is the AMD lead in multi-threaded PassMark performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 32916 in PassMark multithread versus Intel's 18597, a 77% advantage. This aligns with the AMD chip having twice the cores and threads.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has a TDP of 28 watts. The Intel Core 5 120 has a TDP of 65 watts. The AMD chip draws less than half the thermal budget while delivering higher multi-thread performance in most tests.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall benchmark average?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has an average benchmark score of 46030, compared to Intel's 25362. AMD's average is roughly 81% higher than Intel's.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 wins 14 of 15 head-to-head tests and carries a much higher average benchmark score (46030 vs 25362). Its 28-watt TDP, compared to Intel's 65 watts, means it achieves this performance at less than half the thermal envelope. The AMD part also holds a higher percentile ranking (89 vs 77).

The Intel Core 5 120 has one meaningful advantage: single-core performance in Cinebench R23, where it leads by 22.9% (2577 vs 1988). It also has a higher base clock (2.50 GHz vs 2.00 GHz) and a lower boost clock (4.50 GHz vs 5.10 GHz). For workloads that favor the R23 single-core metric, Intel is the better choice.

For everything else, the AMD processor is the stronger pick. The benchmark results show AMD dominating multi-threaded, encryption, compression, and math-heavy workloads, often by margins of 60% to over 100%. The AMD chip also supports more threads, has a higher boost clock, and uses a 4 nm process versus Intel's 10 nm node. The choice depends on whether single-core R23 performance or overall multi-thread dominance matters more for the intended use.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 uses 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for AMD and 2.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.10 GHz for AMD and 4.50 GHz for Intel. TDP is 28 watts for AMD versus 65 watts for Intel.

The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP8, while Intel uses Socket 1700. AMD's architecture is Zen 5 with the Strix Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 300 generation (Zen 5 / Zen 5c). Intel uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The process node is 4 nm for AMD (TSMC foundry) versus 10 nm for Intel (Intel foundry). Die size is 233 mm² for AMD and 163 mm² for Intel.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core. L2 is 1 MB per core for AMD and 1.25 MB per core for Intel. L3 cache is 16 MB for AMD and 18 MB (shared) for Intel. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. AMD's memory bandwidth is listed at 89.6 GB/s, while Intel's is not recorded in the database. Neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe support differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are Radeon 890M for AMD and UHD Graphics 730 for Intel. The AMD part targets the mobile segment, while Intel targets desktop. Release dates differ: AMD released on 2024-06-30, Intel on 2025-07-30. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $211; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core 5 120 come from fundamentally different design schools. AMD uses a 4 nm TSMC process with a 233 mm² die, combining Zen 5 performance cores with Zen 5c efficiency cores in the Strix Point package. Intel uses a 10 nm process with a 163 mm² die, built on Raptor Lake Refresh architecture for the Core 5 generation.

Core topology is the biggest architectural split. AMD provides 12 cores and 24 threads, which explains its dominance in parallel workloads like PassMark integer math (121754 vs 60462) and random string sorting (44552 vs 21499). Intel provides 6 cores and 12 threads, a configuration that still delivers competitive single-thread results, as shown by its Cinebench R23 singlecore win (2577 vs 1988). The Intel chip's higher base clock of 2.50 GHz, despite a lower 4.50 GHz boost, may contribute to its single-core strength in certain tests.

Cache design also differs. AMD allocates 1 MB of L2 per core and 16 MB of L3. Intel allocates 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 18 MB of shared L3. With fewer cores, Intel can dedicate more L3 per core, which may help in latency-sensitive single-thread workloads. AMD's larger total thread count, however, gives it more aggregate throughput in heavily threaded tasks.

The memory controllers reflect different target platforms. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, suited for mobile designs. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, with no bandwidth figure recorded, reflecting its desktop orientation. The AMD part is a mobile processor on Socket FP8, while Intel is a desktop processor on Socket 1700. AMD's 28-watt TDP versus Intel's 65-watt TDP underscores the architectural intent: AMD achieves high multi-thread performance at a fraction of the thermal budget, while Intel spends more power for a narrower single-core edge. The Radeon 890M integrated graphics in the AMD chip versus UHD Graphics 730 in the Intel chip also marks a significant difference in on-die capabilities.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 wins in every multi-threaded workload category measured. Cinebench R15 multicore shows an 81.2% lead (3334 vs 1840), and Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 19.5% lead (21812 vs 18255). PassMark multithread gives AMD a 77% advantage (32916 vs 18597). These results point to rendering, video encoding, compilation, and other heavily parallel tasks as clear AMD territory.

The AMD chip also dominates data-heavy workloads. Data compression shows an 84.4% lead (404918 vs 219535), and data encryption shows an 86.9% lead (20802 vs 11131). Extended instructions carry a 105.2% advantage (29269 vs 14264), and integer math is 101.4% ahead (121754 vs 60462). Floating point math is 65.6% ahead (75153 vs 45383), and prime number finding is 58.4% ahead (122 vs 77). Random string sorting is 107.2% ahead (44552 vs 21499), the largest margin in the entire comparison. Physics simulation shows a 36.5% lead (1819 vs 1333). These are workloads common in scientific computing, database operations, and financial modeling.

PassMark single-thread gives AMD a 7.6% edge (3867 vs 3595), so even in lightly threaded scenarios the AMD chip holds a modest advantage in that specific test. Cinebench R15 singlecore also favors AMD by 16.2% (301 vs 259).

The Intel Core 5 120 wins exactly one head-to-head test: Cinebench R23 singlecore, with a score of 2577 versus AMD's 1988, a 22.9% advantage. This is a meaningful result for applications that rely on a single thread and use the R23 instruction patterns. The Intel chip also has a higher base clock (2.50 GHz vs 2.00 GHz) and a lower boost clock (4.50 GHz vs 5.10 GHz), which may translate to better responsiveness in lightly loaded, frequency-driven tasks. Its desktop socket, DDR4 support, and Gen 5 PCIe lanes make it more aligned with traditional desktop builds, while AMD targets mobile platforms with LPDDR5X support and a lower 28-watt TDP.

The overall picture is clear: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is the stronger processor for threaded workloads, data processing, and floating-point math, while the Intel Core 5 120 holds a distinct advantage in a single specific single-core benchmark and offers desktop-oriented platform features.