AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data in this comparison is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 wins every single head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database, 11 wins to 0. The Intel Core 5 120UL does not win a single test. For any workload captured by these PassMark metrics, the AMD part is the faster processor.

The Ryzen AI Embedded P132 sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 120UL sits at the 68th percentile. That gap in percentile ranking reflects the substantial performance delta between the two. The AMD processor's average benchmark score is 37,804, while the Intel processor averages 13,594. That is a 178% advantage for the AMD chip in aggregate scoring.

The Core 5 120UL has a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz) and more physical cores (10 versus 6), but the data shows that does not translate into better results. The AMD part uses a newer process node (4 nm versus 10 nm), a newer architecture generation (Zen 5 / Zen 5c versus Raptor Lake), and a higher TDP envelope (28 W versus 15 W). The combination of newer architecture and higher power budget delivers a decisive performance advantage in every measured category.

The verdict for system integrators and embedded designers is straightforward. If the workload requires maximum CPU performance per the PassMark suite, the Ryzen AI Embedded P132 is the correct choice. The Intel Core 5 120UL offers a lower power envelope and a desktop-oriented socket, but the performance data shows it trailing by margins ranging from 21.3% to 217.5% across tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 has an average benchmark score of 37,804, compared to 13,594 for the Intel Core 5 120UL. The AMD part also ranks at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part ranks at the 68th percentile.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 120UL win any benchmark tests?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows 11 wins for the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 and 0 wins for the Intel Core 5 120UL. The closest margin is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where AMD leads by 21.3% (57 versus 47).

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having 4 fewer physical cores, the AMD processor delivers higher scores in every multithreaded test in the database.

Q: What are the power requirements of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 has a TDP of 28 W. The Intel Core 5 120UL has a TDP of 15 W. The Intel part requires less power, but the benchmark data shows it also delivers significantly lower performance.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 has 4 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has three times the L3 capacity, yet still trails in all benchmark results.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 120UL supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure for it.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation built on Zen 5 / Zen 5c cores. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename.

The manufacturing process differs substantially. AMD fabricates the P132 at TSMC on a 4 nm process. Intel fabricates the 120UL at its own foundry on a 10 nm process. The smaller process node gives AMD a transistor density and efficiency advantage that shows up in the performance metrics.

Cache organization differs between the two. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part uses 1 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel part uses 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache structure is fundamentally different: AMD uses a 4 MB L3 pool, while Intel uses 12 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the Intel side does not compensate for the architectural advantages of the AMD design.

Memory support diverges as well. The AMD processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel configuration and a measured bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, but no bandwidth figure is recorded. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

Integrated graphics differ. AMD pairs the P132 with the Radeon 840M. Intel pairs the 120UL with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the comparison here is limited to the CPU-side test suite.

PCIe lane counts favor AMD. The P132 provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). The 120UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). For embedded systems that need expandability, the AMD part has more available lanes.

The market segments differ: AMD positions the P132 for mobile, while Intel positions the 120UL for desktop. That explains the socket difference: AMD Socket FP8 for the P132 versus Intel Socket 1700 for the 120UL.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show a clear split between the two parts. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 uses 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses 10 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Power draw is a major differentiator. The AMD part has a TDP of 28 W. The Intel part has a TDP of 15 W. The Intel processor consumes less power but also produces less performance in every benchmark.

The process node favors AMD at 4 nm from TSMC, versus Intel at 10 nm from its own foundry. The release dates differ by almost two years: the Intel part was released in April 2024, while the AMD part was released in March 2026. Both are listed as active production parts.

L2 cache per core favors Intel at 1.25 MB versus 1 MB for AMD. L3 cache favors Intel at 12 MB shared versus 4 MB for AMD. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core.

Memory support differs as noted: AMD offers DDR5 and LPDDR5X with ECC support and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel offers DDR4 and DDR5 without ECC support and no recorded bandwidth figure. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

PCIe connectivity favors AMD with 14 Gen 4 lanes versus Intel's 8 Gen 4 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 840M on the AMD side, Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the Intel side. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 dominates the head-to-head benchmark table. The largest margin comes in PassMark extended instructions, where AMD scores 16,520 against Intel's 5,203, a 217.5% advantage. This test likely reflects the newer Zen 5 instruction set implementation, which handles extended workloads far more efficiently than the older Raptor Lake design.

Data compression shows a 111.2% delta. AMD scores 230,437 versus Intel's 109,090. That is more than double the throughput. Random string sorting follows with an 85% delta, AMD at 25,181 versus Intel at 13,610. These tests indicate the AMD memory subsystem and core efficiency handle data reorganization tasks with significantly higher throughput.

Multithread performance favors AMD by 82.4%. The P132 scores 19,262 in PassMark multithread, while the 120UL scores 10,558. Despite having 4 fewer physical cores, the AMD part's higher clocks and newer architecture produce a substantial lead in parallel workloads. The single-thread tests show a 78.5% delta, with AMD at 3,713 versus Intel at 2,080. The boost clock advantage for Intel (4.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz) does not overcome the per-core efficiency of the Zen 5 design.

Integer math shows AMD at 62,249 versus Intel at 38,060, a 63.6% delta. Floating point math follows at 60.6%, AMD at 42,248 versus Intel at 26,311. These arithmetic tests indicate the AMD ALUs and FPUs process more operations per clock cycle.

Data encryption shows a 48.9% delta, AMD at 11,444 versus Intel at 7,685. This suggests the AMD part has stronger cryptographic instruction throughput. Physics simulation shows a 26.6% delta, AMD at 1,022 versus Intel at 807. The smallest margin is in find prime numbers, where AMD leads by 21.3% at 57 versus 47.

The average benchmark scores in the database confirm the pattern. AMD's 37,804 average places it among the 86th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core 5 211E (37,829, a 0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 (37,762, a 0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (37,904, a 0.3% delta), and the Intel Core i9-14901E (37,911, a 0.3% delta). The P132 sits within a narrow band of similarly performing processors.

The Intel Core 5 120UL's average of 13,594 places it in a much lower performance tier. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-12100F (13,494, a 0.7% delta), the Intel Core 3 N355 (13,492, a 0.8% delta), the Intel Core i5-9500 (13,452, a 1.1% delta), and the Intel Core 3 304 (13,745, a 1.1% delta). The 120UL competes with older and lower-tier processors, not with the AMD embedded part in this comparison.

The benchmark data leaves no ambiguity. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 outperforms the Intel Core 5 120UL in every recorded test, with margins from 21.3% to 217.5%. The Intel part's advantages in core count, L3 cache size, and boost clock do not translate into better results. The AMD part's advantages in process node, architecture generation, and memory bandwidth produce a decisive performance victory across the entire benchmark suite.