AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and the Intel Core 5 120 occupy different corners of the processor market, one aimed at high-end mobile computing and the other at mainstream desktop builds. The recorded data shows a stark contrast in core counts, memory architecture, and platform positioning. The Intel Core 5 120 has a substantial benchmark history, while the AMD part currently lacks recorded performance scores in the database. This creates an interesting dynamic for analysis, as the comparison relies on architectural specifications, platform features, and the Intel processor's measured results against its nearest rivals.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains a full suite of benchmark results for the Intel Core 5 120, but no recorded scores for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490. This means a direct numerical comparison is not possible from the recorded data. However, the Intel part's results can be interpreted against its nearest rivals to establish a performance baseline.

The Intel Core 5 120 delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18255 and a single-core score of 2577. In Cinebench R20, it records 7667 multi-core and 1082 single-core. The older Cinebench R15 run shows 1840 multi-core and 259 single-core. These results indicate a solid mid-range desktop performer. The single-core scores are particularly strong, suggesting good per-thread efficiency for a 6-core part.

PassMark results reinforce this picture. The Intel chip achieves a single-thread score of 3595, which places it in a competitive position for lightly threaded workloads. The multi-thread score of 18597 highlights its parallel processing capability. In specific PassMark subtests, the data shows 60462 in integer math, 45383 in floating point math, and 14264 in extended instructions. Data compression hits 219535, while data encryption reaches 11131. Prime number finding scores 77, physics simulation scores 1333, and random string sorting scores 21499.

The nearest rival data for the Intel Core 5 120 provides context for these numbers. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D has an average score of 25365, which is effectively identical to the Intel part's 25362 average. The delta is 0 percent. The Intel Core i7-11700KF scores 25423, a 0.2 percent difference from the Core 5 120. The Intel Core i5-13400F scores 25292, putting it 0.3 percent behind. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U scores 25432, which is 0.3 percent ahead. These narrow margins show the Core 5 120 sits in a tightly contested performance band, trading blows with previous generation i7 parts and current mid-range alternatives.

The lack of benchmark data for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 means its performance cannot be quantified against the Intel part. The AMD processor's percentile rank of 50 against all CPUs is recorded, while the Intel part sits at 77. This suggests the Intel chip outperforms a larger share of the CPU population in the database, but the AMD part's rank could reflect its mobile positioning rather than raw capability.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 have any recorded benchmark scores?

A: No. The database lists no benchmark entries for the AMD processor. Its average benchmark score is 0, and it has no nearest rivals recorded. All available performance data comes from the Intel Core 5 120.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 120 compare to its closest rivals in average score?

A: The Intel chip averages 25362 points. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D averages 25365, a 0 percent delta. The Intel Core i7-11700KF averages 25423, which is 0.2 percent behind the Core 5 120. The Intel Core i5-13400F averages 25292, or 0.3 percent ahead. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U averages 25432, or 0.3 percent behind the Core 5 120.

Q: What is the production status of both processors?

A: Both the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and the Intel Core 5 120 are listed as Active in production. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What memory technologies does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus with a bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with no ECC support.

Q: What is the launch date and MSRP situation for each part?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has a release date of May 19, 2026 and no launch MSRP recorded. The Intel Core 5 120 has a release date of July 30, 2025 and a launch MSRP of $211.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile rank in the database?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 ranks in the 77th percentile against all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 ranks in the 50th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 clearly wins in terms of available performance data. Every benchmark score in this comparison comes from the Intel part, giving it a measurable performance profile. Its average benchmark score of 25362, combined with a 77th percentile ranking, indicates it outperforms most CPUs in the database. The strong single-thread score of 3595 in PassMark suggests it handles everyday tasks and lightly threaded applications with ease. The Cinebench R23 scores of 18255 multi-core and 2577 single-core support this, showing balanced capability across both parallel and single-thread workloads.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 wins on paper in several architectural areas. It offers 12 cores and 24 threads versus the Intel part's 6 cores and 12 threads, doubling the thread count. It uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel chip uses a 10 nm process from Intel's own fabs. The AMD part's quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth dwarfs the Intel part's dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 configuration, which has no recorded bandwidth figure. The AMD processor also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel chip.

For platform positioning, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 is a mobile processor using AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel Core 5 120 is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part integrates a Radeon 8050S GPU, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD processor's die size of 2x 70.6 mm² contrasts with the Intel part's single 163 mm² die. These differences point to different use cases: the AMD part targets high-end laptops requiring substantial memory bandwidth and integrated graphics, while the Intel part serves mainstream desktop builds with upgradeable components.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 120 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Clock speeds also differ. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Thermal design power differs by 10 watts. The AMD processor has a TDP of 55, while the Intel processor has a TDP of 65. Socket compatibility is entirely different: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel Socket 1700. The process node differs by generation, with AMD using 4 nm TSMC silicon and Intel using 10 nm Intel silicon.

Cache configurations show notable differences. Both parts have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. L2 cache differs, with AMD at 1 MB per core and Intel at 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache shows the largest gap: AMD offers 64 MB while Intel offers 18 MB shared. Memory support diverges completely, with AMD using LPDDR5X quad-channel and Intel using DDR4/DDR5 dual-channel. The AMD part records 273.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth; the Intel part has no bandwidth figure recorded.

PCIe support differs by generation. The AMD part uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, CPU only. The Intel part uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes, CPU only. Integrated graphics differ, with AMD featuring Radeon 8050S and Intel featuring UHD Graphics 730. ECC support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. The AMD part has a part number of 100-000002141, while the Intel part is SA35V. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $211; the AMD part has no recorded MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 belongs to the Gorgon Halo codename family and the Ryzen AI Max PRO generation built on Zen 5. Its 4 nm process comes from TSMC, and it uses a dual-die design with each die measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 5 120 belongs to the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, built on a 10 nm process from Intel. Its single die measures 163 mm².

Core architecture differs fundamentally. The AMD part uses 12 full Zen 5 cores with 24 threads. The Intel part uses 6 cores with 12 threads, based on the Raptor Lake refresh design. The Intel part's L2 cache per core is larger at 1.25 MB versus AMD's 1 MB, but AMD's L3 cache is substantially larger at 64 MB versus Intel's 18 MB shared cache.

Memory architecture presents the most striking difference. The AMD processor uses quad-channel LPDDR5X memory, delivering 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor uses dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory with no recorded bandwidth figure. This gives the AMD part a massive theoretical memory throughput advantage, which matters for integrated graphics performance and memory-intensive workloads.

The integrated GPU architectures differ as well. The AMD part uses a Radeon 8050S, which pairs with the high-bandwidth quad-channel memory. The Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730, a more basic integrated solution. The AMD part's mobile market segment and FP11 socket contrast with the Intel part's desktop segment and LGA1700 socket. Both processors have locked multipliers, and both are currently in active production. The AMD part's release date of May 2026 places it after the Intel part's July 2025 release, making the Intel chip an earlier launch in the database timeline.