AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185i vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185i and Intel Core 5 120 serve fundamentally different segments of the processor market. The AMD part is a 12-core, 24-thread mobile processor built on TSMC's 4 nm node with a 28 W TDP, designed for embedded systems where power efficiency and compact integration matter. The Intel Core 5 120 is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor on Intel's 10 nm process with a 65 W TDP, aimed at conventional desktop workloads.

The recorded data shows the Intel Core 5 120 holds a significant performance advantage across all benchmark categories. Its percentile rank of 77 versus the AMD part's 50 means the Intel chip outperforms a much larger share of all processors in the database. The Intel part also carries a launch MSRP of $211, while the AMD part has no recorded launch price. For anyone comparing strictly on measured performance, the Intel Core 5 120 is the stronger choice.

The Ryzen AI Embedded P185i becomes the right pick only when the platform requirements dictate it. It uses the AMD Socket FP8, integrates Radeon 890M graphics, supports ECC memory, and runs on dual-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It is a mobile-class part with a 28 W TDP, which the data confirms, so it belongs in compact embedded or mobile designs where thermal and power envelopes are strict. The Intel chip uses Socket 1700, integrates UHD Graphics 730, lacks ECC support, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Benchmark results indicate the Intel Core 5 120 dominates in multithreaded and single-threaded workloads. The AMD part has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so its performance cannot be quantified. The Intel chip's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 18255 and single-core score of 2577 place it well ahead of typical mobile processors. The AMD part's percentile of 50 suggests average performance, but without direct benchmark numbers, the comparison rests entirely on the Intel chip's recorded results.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185i has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and ECC capability. The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory but no ECC support.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185i has a 28 W TDP. The Intel Core 5 120 has a 65 W TDP, which is 37 W higher according to the specification data.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The AMD part boosts to 5.10 GHz. The Intel part boosts to 4.50 GHz, which is 0.60 GHz lower.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 120 support ECC memory?

A: No. The data lists ECC memory support as false for the Intel part, while the AMD part lists ECC memory as true.

Q: What is the Intel Core 5 120's average benchmark score?

A: The recorded average benchmark score is 25362, with a percentile rank of 77 versus all CPUs. The AMD part has an average benchmark score of 0 in the database with a percentile of 50.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185i uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation built on a hybrid Zen 5 and Zen 5c core arrangement. The Intel Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, which is part of the Raptor Lake Refresh generation.

The manufacturing processes differ substantially. AMD uses TSMC's 4 nm node, while Intel uses its own 10 nm process. The AMD die measures 233 mm², larger than the Intel die at 163 mm². Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but their L2 and L3 configurations diverge. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 per core and 16 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

The socket and platform targets reflect their different market positions. AMD uses the AMD Socket FP8, which is a mobile and embedded socket. Intel uses Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The AMD part is classified in the mobile market segment, while the Intel part is classified in the desktop segment. Both are listed as active production parts with multipliers locked.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD part carries Radeon 890M graphics, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730. The PCIe capabilities differ as well: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference. AMD delivers 12 cores and 24 threads, double the Intel part's 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks favor Intel: 2.50 GHz versus 2.00 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks favor AMD: 5.10 GHz versus 4.50 GHz for Intel.

Power envelopes separate the two clearly. The AMD TDP is 28 W, which is the lower figure in the comparison. The Intel TDP is 65 W. These figures come directly from the specification data and indicate very different thermal design targets.

Cache totals differ across levels. Both have 80 KB L1 per core. AMD has 1 MB L2 per core, Intel has 1.25 MB L2 per core. AMD has 16 MB L3, Intel has 18 MB shared L3. The Intel chip's larger L2 and L3 allocations give it a cache capacity advantage despite having fewer cores.

Memory support shows different feature sets. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with ECC. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 without ECC. AMD records memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; the Intel part has no memory bandwidth figure recorded. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

The release dates place the AMD part later: 2026-02-28 versus 2025-07-30 for Intel. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $211, while AMD's launch MSRP is not recorded. The Intel part number is listed as SA35V; the AMD part number is unknown.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185i has no recorded benchmark scores at all. Its average benchmark score is 0, and its percentile rank of 50 indicates it sits at the midpoint of all CPUs in the database.

The Intel Core 5 120 has a full set of recorded benchmarks. Its average benchmark score is 25362, and its percentile rank of 77 places it above roughly three-quarters of all processors. The nearest rivals in the database provide context for this score. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D scores 25365, a delta of 0 percent. The Intel Core i7-11700KF scores 25423, which is 0.2 percent higher. The Intel Core i5-13400F scores 25292, which is 0.3 percent lower. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U scores 25432, which is 0.3 percent higher. These deltas show the Intel Core 5 120 sits in a tight performance cluster around the 25300 to 25450 range.

Individual Intel benchmark scores show its strengths. In Cinebench R23, it scores 18255 multicore and 2577 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 7667 multicore and 1082 single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 1840 multicore and 259 single-core. PassMark results include 60462 in integer math, 45383 in floating point math, 18597 in multithread, 3595 in single thread, 219535 in data compression, 11131 in data encryption, 14264 in extended instructions, 77 in prime number finding, 1333 in physics, and 21499 in random string sorting.

The absence of AMD benchmark data means no direct score comparisons can be made. The data shows only that Intel has strong recorded performance and AMD has no measured results. The percentile difference, 77 versus 50, is the only quantitative performance gap available.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 wins in every measurable performance category because it is the only part with recorded benchmarks. Its Cinebench and PassMark scores establish it as a capable desktop processor, with an average score of 25362 and a percentile of 77. The nearest rival data confirms it trades blows with established desktop processors like the Ryzen 5 5600X3D and Core i5-13400F, both within 0.3 percent of its score.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185i wins on platform features and efficiency characteristics, even though it has no benchmark scores. Its 28 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Intel part's 65 W, which the data confirms makes it suitable for power-constrained designs. Its ECC memory support is a capability the Intel part lacks. Its 12 cores and 24 threads provide more parallel processing resources on paper, and its 5.10 GHz boost clock is higher than the Intel part's 4.50 GHz. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth figure gives it a defined memory throughput advantage, as the Intel part has no bandwidth figure recorded.

For desktop builders focused on measured application performance, the Intel Core 5 120 is the clear choice from the data. For embedded systems requiring ECC memory, lower power draw, mobile socket compatibility, and integrated Radeon 890M graphics, the AMD part offers features the Intel desktop chip cannot match. The data cannot support a performance comparison between them, since only one side has benchmark results.