AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep in the head-to-head passmark comparisons, with the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 winning all 11 recorded test categories. The largest margin appears in integer math, where the AMD part scores 117832 against 60462 for the Intel Core 5 120, a delta of 94.9 percent. This near doubling of performance in integer workloads indicates a substantial throughput advantage that likely stems from the fundamental resource differences between the two processors.

Random string sorting shows the second largest gap, with AMD at 40557 versus Intel at 21499, a delta of 88.6 percent. This test is sensitive to memory latency and cache behavior, and the result suggests the AMD platform manages data movement more efficiently in this workload. Extended instructions follow closely, with AMD scoring 26544 against 14264, a delta of 86.1 percent. The extended instruction test measures SIMD and specialized instruction throughput, where the newer Zen 5 architecture clearly holds an edge.

Data encryption shows AMD at 19612 versus Intel at 11131, a delta of 76.2 percent. Encryption workloads often scale with core count and cryptographic instruction support, and the 12-core AMD processor with 24 threads outmatches the 6-core, 12-thread Intel part. Data compression follows the same pattern: AMD scores 374429, Intel scores 219535, a delta of 70.6 percent. Multithread performance shows a delta of 71.1 percent, with AMD at 31817 and Intel at 18597.

The physics test presents the narrowest victory for AMD at 32.9 percent, with scores of 1772 versus 1333. Physics simulations can be sensitive to clock speed and per-thread efficiency, and while AMD still wins, the margin is less dramatic than in other categories. Single-thread performance shows the smallest delta of all at 10.6 percent: AMD scores 3977, Intel scores 3595. This modest advantage in single-core throughput is notable because the Intel part has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz versus AMD's 2.00 GHz, yet AMD still leads in this metric.

Prime number finding shows AMD at 129 versus Intel at 77, a delta of 67.5 percent. Floating point math shows AMD at 70587 against 45383, a delta of 55.5 percent. Every test in the head-to-head list favors the AMD processor, and the average benchmark score reinforces this picture: AMD's average is 62839, while Intel's is 25362. In percentile terms, AMD sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while Intel sits at the 77th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design schools. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation built on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The Intel Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake-R codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation built on Raptor Lake Refresh architecture. AMD fabricates on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm process at its own foundry. The process node difference likely contributes to the power and efficiency profile, though the database does not record direct efficiency measurements for these two parts.

Core counts differ substantially: AMD provides 12 cores and 24 threads, Intel provides 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD part doubles both counts, which explains much of the multithreaded benchmark gap. Cache layouts also differ. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core, but AMD uses 1 MB of L2 per core while Intel uses 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache differs in structure: AMD has 16 MB total, Intel has 18 MB shared. Despite Intel having more total L3, AMD's benchmark wins suggest the architecture uses its cache more effectively in these workloads.

Die size offers another contrast: AMD's die measures 233 mm², while Intel's measures 163 mm². The larger AMD die accommodates more cores and the integrated Radeon 890M graphics, whereas Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. Memory support also diverges: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel configuration and records 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel configuration but has no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. AMD supports ECC memory; Intel does not.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation. AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The newer PCIe generation on the Intel side offers higher potential bandwidth for expansion devices, though the database records no direct comparison of PCIe throughput. Socket compatibility separates the platforms entirely: AMD uses Socket FP8, Intel uses Socket 1700, so they are not interchangeable in any system.

The production status for both is listed as Active. The release dates differ: AMD entered the database on 2026-02-28, Intel on 2025-07-30. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $211; the AMD part has no launch MSRP recorded. The Intel part number is listed as SA35V, while the AMD part number is unknown. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

Every recorded head-to-head benchmark favors the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185, so the win distribution is one-sided. The largest deltas appear in integer math, random string sorting, and extended instructions, where AMD leads by 94.9, 88.6, and 86.1 percent respectively. These workloads represent general compute, memory manipulation, and SIMD-heavy tasks, areas where the combination of more cores, newer architecture, and higher memory bandwidth delivers clear advantages.

The AMD processor also leads in tasks that scale with thread count. Multithread performance at 71.1 percent ahead, data compression at 70.6 percent ahead, and data encryption at 76.2 percent ahead all point to a processor that handles parallel workloads with ease. The 24 threads versus 12 threads gives it a structural advantage that shows up consistently across these tests. Physics simulation, which often benefits from both core count and per-core efficiency, shows AMD ahead by 32.9 percent, a solid but less extreme margin.

Single-thread performance is the closest category, with AMD ahead by only 10.6 percent. This suggests that for lightly threaded workloads, the two processors are more comparable, though AMD still holds the lead. The Intel part's higher base clock of 2.50 GHz does not translate into a single-thread win, likely because AMD's boost clock reaches 5.10 GHz versus Intel's 4.50 GHz.

The Intel Core 5 120 does not win any recorded benchmark category. Its strengths must be inferred from the specification differences rather than from benchmark results. It offers Gen 5 PCIe connectivity, which the AMD part lacks, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving platform flexibility that the AMD part does not offer since it only supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Intel part also has a smaller die at 163 mm² and a higher base clock, but none of these attributes produce a win in the recorded passmark tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in integer math, where the AMD processor scores 117832 against 60462 for the Intel processor, a delta of 94.9 percent.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread performance?

A: The AMD processor scores 3977 in the single-thread test, while the Intel processor scores 3595. The AMD lead is 10.6 percent.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120 does not.

Q: What process nodes do the two processors use?

A: The AMD processor uses a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel processor uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear winner in raw performance. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 dominates the Intel Core 5 120 across every recorded test, with deltas ranging from 10.6 percent in single-thread work to 94.9 percent in integer math. The average benchmark score of 62839 for AMD versus 25362 for Intel places the AMD part in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Intel part sits at the 77th percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX at 62738 and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 PRO 465 at 62498, are within 0.5 percent of its average score, meaning the AMD part competes at a higher performance tier entirely. The Intel Core 5 120's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D at 25365 and the Intel Core i5-13400F at 25292, are within 0.3 percent of its score, confirming that it belongs to a lower performance class.

Users who need maximum multithreaded throughput, encryption performance, or memory-intensive workloads should look to the AMD processor. The 12-core, 24-thread configuration with 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth and ECC support makes it suited for embedded and server-like tasks. The Intel processor, with its Gen 5 PCIe support and dual DDR4/DDR5 memory compatibility, offers platform flexibility but does not match the AMD part in any recorded benchmark. The data does not show a scenario where the Intel processor wins on performance, so the choice hinges on other factors such as platform requirements and expansion needs rather than benchmark results.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 | Intel Core 5 120 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Raptor Lake-R |

| Generation | Ryzen AI Embedded (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) | Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 233 mm² | 163 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 18 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 890M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2026-02-28 | 2025-07-30 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $211 |

| Part Number | Unknown | SA35V |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |