AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 vs Intel Core 5 120HL Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 and the Intel Core 5 120HL occupy different corners of the processor landscape. The recorded data shows no benchmark wins for either part in the head-to-head comparison, which means the differentiation must come from architectural and platform characteristics rather than measured test scores. The AMD part carries 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part provides 12 cores and 16 threads. That core and thread advantage positions the AMD processor for heavily threaded workloads, such as rendering, simulation, and software compilation. The Intel processor, with fewer threads, offers a more conventional desktop layout, running on Socket 1700 with a 45 W TDP, which suggests it targets mainstream desktop systems where moderate power draw and broad platform compatibility matter more than raw thread count.

The AMD processor is classified as a mobile part, despite its high thread count. It uses a 4 nm TSMC process and integrates a Radeon 8065S GPU. The Intel part is a desktop processor built on Intel's 10 nm process, with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The market segment distinction is important: one is designed for mobile systems, the other for desktop builds. The AMD part features quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with a recorded bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s, while the Intel part supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5. The memory subsystem alone suggests the AMD processor is built for bandwidth-hungry applications, particularly those that benefit from large memory throughput like data processing and integrated graphics workloads.

In terms of production status, both are listed as Active, meaning each is currently available. The Intel part had a launch MSRP of $279, disclosed once here, while the AMD part has no recorded launch price. The percentile ranking for both against all CPUs is 50, meaning neither part distinguishes itself in the broader database ranking, but that equal standing does not reflect their very different design philosophies.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 uses the Gorgon Halo codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO generation built on Zen 5. The process node is 4 nm at TSMC. The die size is recorded as 2x 70.6 mm², indicating a chiplet or multi-die design. The Intel Core 5 120HL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. These are fundamentally different silicon approaches, one on an advanced foundry node with a dual-die layout, the other on a mature Intel process with a monolithic design.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. The AMD part offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The Intel part offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD processor has a much larger L3 pool, 64 MB versus 18 MB, which can benefit workloads with large working sets that repeatedly access the same data. The Intel part doubles the per-core L2, from 1 MB to 2 MB, which may help single-threaded access patterns that fit within a core's private cache. The L1 is identical on a per-core basis.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD processor uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel memory bus, delivering 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with no recorded bandwidth figure. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. ECC support can be relevant for data integrity in certain professional or server-like workloads. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD part provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). That gives the AMD platform twice the CPU-attached PCIe lane count, which affects how many high-speed devices can be connected directly to the processor.

The integrated graphics are also different. The AMD part uses a Radeon 8065S, while the Intel part uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. No benchmark scores for either GPU are recorded, so a direct performance comparison cannot be made from the database, but the memory bandwidth available to the AMD iGPU, 273.1 GB/s, is substantially higher than what a dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 system typically provides.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 for workloads that demand high thread counts, large cache capacity, and exceptional memory bandwidth. With 16 cores, 32 threads, 64 MB of L3, and quad-channel LPDDR5X at 273.1 GB/s, this processor is suited for tasks where parallel scaling and memory throughput dominate. The Intel Core 5 120HL, with 12 cores, 16 threads, 18 MB of L3, and dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support, fits a more conventional desktop role where Socket 1700 compatibility, a 45 W TDP, and a recorded launch MSRP of $279 provide a predictable mainstream package.

The AMD part is mobile-class silicon, so system builders should consider that the platform requires an AMD Socket FP11 motherboard and LPDDR5X memory, which are less common in DIY desktop builds. The Intel part is a desktop processor on Socket 1700, a widely used platform. The choice between the two is therefore not simply about performance potential but about platform fit. The AMD part offers more cores, more threads, more L3, more PCIe lanes, ECC support, and higher memory bandwidth. The Intel part offers a lower TDP, a more established desktop socket, and dual-channel memory flexibility across both DDR4 and DDR5.

The equal percentile ranking of 50 against all CPUs does not reflect the architectural gulf between these parts. The AMD processor is clearly positioned at a higher performance tier, while the Intel processor is positioned as a moderate desktop option. The absence of head-to-head benchmark data means no direct measured comparison exists in the database, but the specification differences are substantial enough to draw clear conclusions about intended use cases.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 120HL has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the L3 cache size on each processor?

A: The AMD processor has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120HL does not.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The AMD processor supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The AMD processor is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel processor is built on a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD processor has a TDP of 55 W. The Intel processor has a TDP of 45 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records no head-to-head benchmark entries for this pairing, so there are no exact score deltas to report. The wins count for both processors is zero. This absence of measured data means the comparison must rely on the recorded specifications, which are extensive enough to identify clear differences.

The most significant gap is in core count. The AMD part provides 16 cores and 32 threads, a 33% core advantage over the Intel part's 12 cores and 16 threads. Thread count is doubled, which heavily favors the AMD processor in multi-threaded applications. The L3 cache difference is also large: 64 MB versus 18 MB, a 3.5x advantage for AMD. Memory bandwidth shows the AMD part at 273.1 GB/s, while the Intel part has no recorded bandwidth figure, but the dual-channel bus width and DDR4/DDR5 support indicate a far lower ceiling.

PCIe lane count favors AMD as well, with 16 Gen 4 lanes versus 8 Gen 4 lanes on the Intel side. This affects how many NVMe drives or other PCIe devices can be attached directly to the CPU. The base clock on the AMD part is 3.10 GHz, and the boost clock is 5.20 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The AMD processor holds a 500 MHz advantage in boost clock and a 500 MHz advantage in base clock, although core architecture differences make raw clock comparisons incomplete.

The Intel part does have a per-core L2 advantage, 2 MB versus 1 MB, which could improve performance for workloads that fit within a single core's private cache. The Intel part also has a lower TDP, 45 W versus 55 W, which may be relevant for cooling requirements and power-constrained systems. The production status for both is Active, so neither part faces availability concerns.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 uses the Gorgon Halo codename, belongs to the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO (Zen 5) generation, and is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120HL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename and is built on a 10 nm process at Intel.

Core counts differ: 16 cores and 32 threads for AMD, 12 cores and 16 threads for Intel. Clock speeds differ as well. The AMD part runs at 3.10 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. The Intel part runs at 2.60 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. TDP values are 55 W for AMD and 45 W for Intel.

The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700. Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3: AMD uses 1 MB of L2 per core and 64 MB of shared L3, while Intel uses 2 MB of L2 per core and 18 MB of shared L3. L1 is identical at 80 KB per core.

Memory support diverges: AMD uses LPDDR5X with a quad-channel bus and 273.1 GB/s of bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no recorded bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 on both, but AMD provides 16 lanes (CPU only) and Intel provides 8 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics differ: AMD uses a Radeon 8065S, while Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The market segment differs: AMD is listed as Mobile, Intel as Desktop. The release dates differ: the AMD processor was released on 2026-05-19, while the Intel processor was released on 2024-04-07. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $279, while the AMD part has none. The AMD part number is 100-000002124, and the Intel part number is SRPFR. Both processors have a multiplier that is not unlocked.