AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 records an average benchmark score of 62839, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 120U records an average score of 17898, placing it in the 72nd percentile.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the head-to-head PassMark tests?

A: The AMD processor wins all 11 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The largest margin is in extended instructions, where AMD leads by 185.5%. The smallest margin is in single-thread performance, where AMD leads by 14.3%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120U does not support ECC memory.

Q: What process nodes do these processors use?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 is built on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120U is built on a 10 nm process by Intel.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has 16 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 120U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185, codenamed Gorgon Point, belongs to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation built on the Zen 5 and Zen 5c architecture. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC. The die size measures 233 mm². The Intel Core 5 120U, codenamed Raptor Lake-U, belongs to the Core 5 generation using the Raptor Lake architecture. It uses a 10 nm process node from Intel, with no die size recorded in the database.

The AMD processor features 12 cores and 24 threads, leveraging simultaneous multithreading. The Intel processor has 10 cores and 12 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration with fewer threads than the AMD part. Both processors share the same 80 KB L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: AMD provides 1 MB per core, while Intel provides 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache totals 16 MB on the AMD side versus 12 MB shared on the Intel side.

Memory support diverges significantly. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory across a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, also dual-channel, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD processor.

PCIe lanes also differ. The AMD part provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD processor uses the Radeon 890M, while the Intel processor uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units.

Production status for both is active. The AMD processor released on 2026-02-28, while the Intel processor released on 2024-01-07. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has a known part number, SRM7P, while the AMD part number is unknown.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear split in workload suitability. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison, which makes it the stronger choice for compute-intensive tasks across the board.

In single-thread performance, the AMD processor leads with a PassMark score of 3977 versus 3479 for the Intel part, a 14.3% advantage. This margin, while smaller than other tests, still favors AMD for lightly threaded applications such as general desktop responsiveness and legacy software.

The multithreaded results amplify the AMD lead. The AMD processor scores 31817 in PassMark multithread, versus 15042 for Intel, a 111.5% advantage. This indicates a substantial edge for parallel workloads such as rendering, video encoding, and scientific simulations.

Data compression favors AMD heavily. The AMD score of 374429 surpasses Intel's 166432 by 125%. This matters for database operations, file archiving, and any workload that moves large amounts of data through compression algorithms.

Encryption performance also leans AMD. The AMD score of 19612 beats Intel's 10453 by 87.6%. This advantage applies to VPN traffic, secure communications, and disk encryption tasks.

The extended instructions test shows the largest gap. AMD scores 26544 against Intel's 9299, a 185.5% difference. This test typically measures SIMD and vector instruction throughput, which matters for media processing and certain scientific workloads.

The physics test shows an 89.1% AMD advantage, with scores of 1772 versus 937. This indicates better performance in physics simulations commonly found in gaming engines and engineering tools.

The Intel Core 5 120U, despite losing all head-to-head tests, holds a lower 15 W TDP versus AMD's 28 W. For systems where thermal and power budgets are extremely tight, the Intel part may fit a narrower chassis design, but the performance data shows a consistent AMD advantage in every recorded metric.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Cores | 12 | 10 |

| Threads | 24 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Raptor Lake-U |

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

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 233 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 12 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 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 890M | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Release Date | 2026-02-28 | 2024-01-07 |

| Part Number | Unknown | SRM7P |

The base clocks differ by 0.60 GHz, with AMD starting at 2.00 GHz versus Intel's 1.40 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.10 GHz and Intel at 5.00 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial, with Intel drawing 13 W less at 15 W versus AMD's 28 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded PassMark comparisons show AMD dominance across all 11 tests. The most decisive victory comes in extended instructions. AMD scores 26544, Intel scores 9299, and the delta reaches 185.5%. This test often reflects AVX and other advanced instruction set efficiency, and the gap here dwarfs all other comparisons.

Prime number finding shows a 143.4% AMD lead. AMD scores 129, Intel scores 53. This arithmetic-heavy test favors the higher core count and newer architecture of the AMD part.

Integer math delivers a 125.4% AMD advantage. AMD scores 117832, Intel scores 52280. This result aligns with general CPU arithmetic throughput, where the 12-core, 24-thread AMD configuration outperforms the 10-core, 12-thread Intel configuration.

Data compression follows closely with a 125% delta. AMD scores 374429, Intel scores 166432. The large absolute scores in this test indicate that both processors handle compression efficiently, but AMD processes more than twice the data in the same window.

Random string sorting shows a 112.8% AMD lead. AMD scores 40557, Intel scores 19060. Sorting algorithms rely heavily on memory access patterns and cache hierarchy, where the AMD processor's larger L3 cache and faster memory bandwidth provide an edge.

Multithread performance shows a 111.5% AMD advantage. AMD scores 31817, Intel scores 15042. This is the most representative test for heavily threaded productivity applications, and the result confirms the core and thread count advantage translates directly to real-world parallel performance.

Floating point math shows a 95.9% AMD lead. AMD scores 70587, Intel scores 36026. This test benefits from the Zen 5 architecture's floating-point units and the higher boost clock on AMD.

Physics simulation shows an 89.1% AMD advantage. AMD scores 1772, Intel scores 937. The physics test often stresses both integer and floating-point pipelines, and AMD wins consistently here.

Encryption shows an 87.6% AMD lead. AMD scores 19612, Intel scores 10453. Cryptographic workloads frequently depend on dedicated instruction paths and memory bandwidth, both favoring the AMD part.

Single-thread performance shows the closest margin at 14.3%. AMD scores 3977, Intel scores 3479. Despite the smaller gap, AMD still leads, which indicates that even in lightly threaded tasks, the Zen 5 architecture outperforms Raptor Lake-U.

The average benchmark scores place the AMD part at 62839, which sits just 0.2% above the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX at 62738. The AMD part also holds a 0.5% advantage over the AMD Ryzen AI 9 PRO 465 at 62498. By contrast, the Intel Core 5 120U averages 17898, which is essentially even with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891 and 0.2% above the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17860. The Intel part trails the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 by 0.5% in average score, with that rival at 17994.

The data shows a two-tier performance landscape. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 operates in the upper percentiles of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 120U sits closer to older desktop parts. The 11-0 head-to-head sweep underscores the architectural and specification advantages held by the AMD processor.