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

FAQ

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare between the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and the Intel Core 5 120UL?

A: The AMD processor has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel processor has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD part offers both more physical cores and simultaneous multithreading, which the Intel part lacks.

Q: What is the difference in their boost clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 boosts up to 5.00 GHz, whereas the Intel Core 5 120UL boosts up to 4.60 GHz. The AMD processor has a 0.40 GHz higher maximum frequency.

Q: Which processor has a higher rated power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel part is rated for considerably lower power draw.

Q: How do their memory subsystems differ?

A: The AMD processor supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus with 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has over five times the L3 capacity.

Q: What are the recorded benchmark scores for the Intel Core 5 120UL?

A: The Intel part has an average benchmark score of 13594 and sits at the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 8974, and its single-core score is 1266. In PassMark, it scores 10558 for multithread and 2080 for single-thread.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and the Intel Core 5 120UL represent two distinct design philosophies. The AMD processor uses the Gorgon Halo codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Max PRO generation built on Zen 5 architecture. It is fabricated by TSMC on a 4 nm process node. The Intel part belongs to the Raptor Lake-PS generation, uses Raptor Lake architecture, and is fabricated by Intel on a 10 nm process node. The process geometry difference indicates a substantial manufacturing technology gap.

Core topology diverges significantly. The AMD processor provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel processor provides 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD part enables two threads per core, whereas the Intel part does not support hyper-threading in this configuration. The AMD processor also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz compared to 1.30 GHz, and a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz compared to 4.60 GHz.

Cache hierarchies follow different strategies. Both processors use an 80 KB L1 cache per core. The AMD part uses 1 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel part uses 1.25 MB per core. The major difference appears at L3: the AMD processor has 64 MB, while the Intel processor has 12 MB shared. This disparity favors the AMD part substantially for working sets that exceed the smaller cache.

Memory support is another major architectural split. The AMD processor uses LPDDR5X memory on a quad-channel bus, delivering 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth number recorded in the database. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD processor provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel processor provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics units are distinct. The AMD processor includes Radeon 8050S graphics. The Intel processor includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Both are integrated but represent different vendor architectures. The AMD part is classified as a mobile segment product on AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel part is classified as a desktop segment product on Intel Socket 1700. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking flexibility is not a differentiating factor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark entries for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490, as its benchmark array is empty. The Intel Core 5 120UL has a full set of recorded measurements. This absence of data for the AMD part means the comparison relies on the Intel part's absolute scores and its position relative to its nearest rivals.

The Intel Core 5 120UL delivers a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 8974 and a single-core score of 1266. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3769 multicore and 531 single-core. The older Cinebench R15 test shows 904 multicore and 127 single-core. These numbers indicate a processor that handles single-threaded tasks moderately and multi-threaded workloads with its 10 physical cores.

In PassMark tests, the Intel part scores 10558 for multithread performance and 2080 for single-thread performance. Its integer math score is 38060, and its floating point math score is 26311. Data compression scores 109090, while data encryption scores 7685. Extended instructions score 5203, find prime numbers scores 47, physics scores 807, and random string sorting scores 13610.

The Intel processor's average benchmark score of 13594 places it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals show tight clustering. The Intel Core i3-12100F has an average score of 13494, a delta of 0.7 percent relative to the Core 5 120UL. The Intel Core 3 N355 scores 13492, a delta of 0.8 percent. The Intel Core i5-9500 scores 13452, a delta of 1.1 percent. The Intel Core 3 304 scores 13745, a delta of negative 1.1 percent. The Core 5 120UL sits within roughly one percent of all four rivals, indicating that its performance class is well populated and highly competitive.

The absence of recorded benchmarks for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 means no direct score comparison is possible from the database. The architectural specifications, however, suggest a large performance advantage for the AMD part: 12 cores versus 10, 24 threads versus 12, a 5.00 GHz boost versus 4.60 GHz, and 64 MB of L3 versus 12 MB. The quad-channel 273.1 GB/s memory bandwidth further separates the two, particularly for memory-intensive workloads. The Intel part's 15-watt TDP and dual-channel memory profile position it as a low-power option, while the AMD part's 55-watt TDP and wider memory bus target higher throughput.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear division of roles. The Intel Core 5 120UL is the only processor in this comparison with benchmark results. Its average score of 13594 and 68th percentile ranking place it among mid-range desktop processors, with nearest rivals within 1.1 percent in either direction. The Cinebench R23 scores of 8974 multicore and 1266 single-core confirm a balanced but modest performer, suitable for general desktop work where power consumption is a priority.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has no benchmark scores in the database. Its specifications, however, indicate a much higher performance ceiling. The core count advantage of 12 versus 10, the thread count advantage of 24 versus 12, and the boost clock advantage of 5.00 GHz versus 4.60 GHz all point to superior compute throughput. The 64 MB L3 cache versus 12 MB and the 273.1 GB/s memory bandwidth versus an unrecorded dual-channel figure further reinforce this.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded performance, a wide memory bus, and ECC support, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 is the processor indicated by the data. For users who need a low-power desktop processor with a 15-watt TDP and a proven benchmark record, the Intel Core 5 120UL is the measured option. The Intel part also benefits from DDR4 and DDR5 memory flexibility, which the AMD part does not offer.

The database shows no wins for either processor in a head-to-head comparison, because no such benchmark entries exist. The Intel part is the only one with verified performance numbers, so it stands as the empirically characterized choice. The AMD part remains a specification-driven selection, with its architectural advantages unverified by recorded scores.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and the Intel Core 5 120UL differ in the following recorded specification fields:

• Cores: AMD 12, Intel 10
• Threads: AMD 24, Intel 12
• Base clock: AMD 3.20 GHz, Intel 1.30 GHz
• Boost clock: AMD 5.00 GHz, Intel 4.60 GHz
• TDP: AMD 55 watts, Intel 15 watts
• Socket: AMD Socket FP11, Intel Socket 1700
• Codename: Gorgon Halo, Raptor Lake-PS
• Generation: Ryzen AI Max PRO (Zen 5), Core 5 (Raptor Lake-PS)
• Process node: AMD 4 nm, Intel 10 nm
• Foundry: TSMC, Intel
• Die size: AMD 2x 70.6 mm², Intel not recorded
• L2 cache: AMD 1 MB per core, Intel 1.25 MB per core
• L3 cache: AMD 64 MB, Intel 12 MB shared
• Memory support: LPDDR5X, DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory bus: Quad-channel, Dual-channel
• Memory bandwidth: AMD 273.1 GB/s, Intel not recorded
• ECC memory: AMD true, Intel false
• PCIe: AMD Gen 4, 16 lanes CPU-only, Intel Gen 4, 8 lanes CPU-only
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 8050S, Iris Xe Graphics 80EU
• Market segment: Mobile, Desktop
• Release date: AMD 2026-05-19, Intel 2024-04-07
• Part number: AMD 100-000002141, Intel unknown

Both processors share an 80 KB L1 cache per core, Gen 4 PCIe, an active production status, and a locked multiplier. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.