AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

# AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 vs Intel Core 5 120

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 is a mobile processor built on Zen 5 architecture with 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 is a desktop processor based on Raptor Lake with 6 cores and 12 threads. The benchmark database shows a decisive overall advantage for the AMD part, which wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons and sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Intel part's 77th percentile. The average benchmark score gap is substantial: 90541 for the AMD versus 25362 for the Intel, a difference of roughly 3.5 times in favor of the Ryzen AI Max+ 392.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 dominates every recorded benchmark category, leaving no wins for the Intel Core 5 120 in the head-to-head comparison. The AMD processor's largest advantages appear in compute-intensive workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth. For example, in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, the AMD part scores 320 against Intel's 77, a delta of 315.6 percent. This pattern indicates that the AMD processor is particularly strong in integer-heavy, multi-threaded workloads where its 12 cores and 24 threads can be fully utilized.

The Intel Core 5 120, despite losing every comparison, does not present a single category where it narrows the gap below the single-thread threshold. The closest contest is in passmark_single_thread, where AMD leads by only 9.2 percent (3927 versus 3595). This suggests that for single-threaded applications, the two processors are comparatively closer, though the AMD chip still holds the advantage. The Intel part's position in the 77th percentile places it alongside desktop processors like the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D and Intel Core i7-11700KF, with average scores nearly identical to those parts. The AMD part's 96th percentile positions it near workstation-class processors such as the Intel Xeon 654 and AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The die consists of two chiplets, each measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 5 120 uses Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel with a monolithic die measuring 163 mm². The manufacturing process difference explains much of the efficiency and performance gap between the two parts.

Core configuration differs sharply. AMD provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Both use a per-core L1 cache of 80 KB, but the L2 cache differs: AMD allocates 1 MB per core, while Intel allocates 1.25 MB per core. The shared L3 cache is dramatically different, with AMD offering 64 MB shared versus Intel's 18 MB shared. The larger AMD cache hierarchy supports its higher thread count and memory throughput demands.

Memory support and platform integration also diverge. AMD uses LPDDR5X memory in a quad-channel configuration with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. Intel uses DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with no ECC support recorded. The AMD part's memory bandwidth advantage is enormous, which directly impacts workloads like data compression and encryption where memory throughput is a bottleneck. PCIe support differs as well: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics represent a major functional difference. AMD includes a Radeon 8060S iGPU, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD part is designed for mobile use with a 55 W TDP, whereas the Intel part is a desktop chip with a 65 W TDP. The socket types reflect their respective platforms: AMD Socket FP11 for the mobile chip and Intel Socket 1700 for the desktop chip. Release timing also differs, with the AMD part arriving on 2026-01-05 and the Intel part on 2025-07-30.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head results show a consistent and often massive AMD advantage. In passmark_data_compression, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 554760 against Intel's 219535, a 152.7 percent lead. This workload benefits from the AMD part's quad-channel memory bandwidth and larger L3 cache. Data encryption shows a similar pattern: AMD scores 27784 versus Intel's 11131, a 149.6 percent delta. Extended instruction workloads amplify the gap further, with AMD at 45666 and Intel at 14264, a 220.1 percent difference.

Prime number finding delivers the single largest relative margin. AMD scores 320 versus Intel's 77, a 315.6 percent lead. This test is highly sensitive to integer throughput and memory latency, where the AMD architecture's combination of more cores, higher clock rates, and larger cache provides a clear edge. Floating point math shows AMD at 99548 versus Intel's 45383, a 119.4 percent advantage. Integer math follows with AMD at 152414 versus Intel's 60462, a 152.1 percent lead.

Multithread performance, captured by passmark_multithread, shows AMD at 45231 versus Intel's 18597, a 143.2 percent delta. Physics simulation yields AMD at 2887 versus Intel's 1333, a 116.6 percent margin. Random string sorting gives AMD 59487 versus Intel's 21499, a 176.7 percent lead. Single-thread performance is the only category where the gap narrows below double digits: AMD scores 3927 versus Intel's 3595, a 9.2 percent margin. This indicates that the AMD architecture's per-core efficiency, despite the lower 3.20 GHz base clock, still outpaces Intel's 2.50 GHz base clock in single-threaded tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare between the two?

A: The AMD part supports LPDDR5X in a quad-channel configuration with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest gap is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 scores 320 versus Intel's 77, a 315.6 percent delta.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The AMD part is from the Ryzen AI Max generation using Zen 5 (Strix Halo), while the Intel part is from the Core 5 generation using Raptor Lake Refresh.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120 boosts to 4.50 GHz.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare to each part's nearest rivals?

A: The AMD part's average score of 90541 is 0.2 percent below the Intel Xeon 654 and 0.7 percent below the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX. The Intel part's average score of 25362 is exactly matched by the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D and is 0.2 percent below the Intel Core i7-11700KF.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 uses 12 cores with 24 threads, a 3.20 GHz base clock, and a 5.00 GHz boost clock, while the Intel Core 5 120 uses 6 cores with 12 threads, a 2.50 GHz base clock, and a 4.50 GHz boost clock. TDP differs: 55 W for AMD versus 65 W for Intel. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700. Architecture and codename differ: Zen 5 with Strix Halo for AMD, Raptor Lake with Raptor Lake-R for Intel.

Process node and foundry differ: AMD uses 4 nm at TSMC, while Intel uses 10 nm at Intel. Die size differs: AMD uses 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel uses 163 mm². Cache allocation differs: both use 80 KB L1 per core, but AMD uses 1 MB L2 per core versus Intel's 1.25 MB per core, and AMD provides 64 MB shared L3 versus Intel's 18 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD uses LPDDR5X with quad-channel and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while Intel uses DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel and no ECC. PCIe generation differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD includes Radeon 8060S, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. Market segment differs: AMD is mobile, Intel is desktop. Release dates differ: AMD on 2026-01-05, Intel on 2025-07-30. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $211, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part. Part numbers differ: 100-000001979 for AMD and SA35V for Intel. Both processors have locked multipliers.