AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data places the Intel Core 5 120 in a strong position for raw performance, even though the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X enters the comparison with a more modern design. The Intel part has a full suite of benchmark results, while the AMD processor has no recorded benchmark scores in the database. This absence of data is itself a significant finding: the Intel Core 5 120's average benchmark score of 25,362 places it at the 77th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X sits at the 50th percentile with an average score of 0 due to missing measurements.

Focusing on the Intel Core 5 120's recorded scores, the Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 18,255 and single-core result of 2,577 indicate a balanced performance profile. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 7,667 and single-core score of 1,082 show a similar pattern. In the older Cinebench R15 test, the multi-core score of 1,840 and single-core score of 259 confirm consistent scaling across generations of the benchmark.

The PassMark suite adds more detail. The multi-thread score of 18,597 and single-thread score of 3,595 (recorded twice as 3,595) demonstrate that the Intel processor handles both heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads competently. Integer math performance reaches 60,462, while floating point math is recorded at 45,383. Data compression scores 219,535, and data encryption is measured at 11,131. Extended instructions deliver 14,264, and random string sorting hits 21,499. Find prime numbers scores 77, and physics simulation records 1,333.

The nearest rivals in the database provide context for the Intel Core 5 120's standing. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D matches it almost exactly with an average score of 25,365 and a delta of 0%. The Intel Core i7-11700KF is marginally ahead at 25,423, representing a 0.2% advantage. The Intel Core i5-13400F trails slightly at 25,292, a 0.3% deficit. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U leads this group at 25,432, which is 0.3% above the Core 5 120. These tight deltas show that the Core 5 120 competes within a narrow band of comparable processors.

The absence of benchmark data for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X means there are no direct wins to enumerate for that side. The head-to-head benchmark comparison field is empty, and the win counts are zero for both processors. The database cannot establish a measurable performance advantage for the AMD part based on recorded scores. The Intel Core 5 120, by contrast, has a substantial body of evidence supporting its performance classification at the 77th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in their underlying design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Granite Ridge codename, built on the Zen 5 architecture. Its generation is listed as Ryzen Embedded (Zen 5 (Granite Ridge)). The Intel Core 5 120 comes from the Raptor Lake family, specifically Raptor Lake Refresh, and its architecture is listed simply as Raptor Lake.

Manufacturing processes differ considerably. The AMD processor uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC, while the Intel part uses a 10 nm node from Intel's own foundry. Die sizes reflect this gap: the AMD chip measures 70.6 mm², and the Intel chip is substantially larger at 163 mm². The transistor count for the AMD processor is recorded as 8,315 million, while the Intel processor has no transistor count listed in the database.

Both processors have 6 cores and 12 threads, so thread-level parallelism is identical on paper. Clock speeds tell a different story. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120 starts lower at 2.50 GHz base and boosts to 4.50 GHz. The AMD part's clock advantage is substantial in both metrics.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both processors share an L1 cache of 80 KB per core. The L2 cache differs: the AMD part has 1 MB per core, while the Intel part has 1.25 MB per core, giving Intel a slight edge at that level. The L3 cache, however, favors AMD decisively: 32 MB shared on the AMD processor versus 18 MB shared on the Intel processor. Neither part offers 3D V-Cache.

Memory support separates the two further. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory only, with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded for it. ECC memory support exists on the AMD processor but is absent on the Intel part.

PCIe connectivity differs in lane count. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while the Intel Core 5 120 provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD part uses Radeon Graphics, and the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split between the two processors based on what the database records. The Intel Core 5 120 has verifiable benchmark scores across Cinebench and PassMark suites, placing it at the 77th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals cluster within 0.3% of its average score, indicating it sits in a competitive middle band. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has no recorded benchmark scores, so the database cannot confirm any performance level for it. Its 50th percentile ranking is a placeholder derived from the absence of data, not from measured results.

For workloads where documented performance matters, the Intel Core 5 120 is the only one of the two with evidence in the database. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18,255 and single-core score of 2,577 provide concrete reference points. The PassMark single-thread score of 3,595 reinforces that the Intel part handles single-threaded tasks well. The multi-thread score of 18,597 suggests respectable scaling across all 12 threads.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X should not be dismissed outright, but the database lacks the measurements to support any claim about its performance. Its architecture suggests potential: a 4 nm TSMC process, higher clocks, more L3 cache, and ECC memory support are all recorded advantages. Yet without benchmark scores, those architectural features remain unquantified in actual performance.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show these differences between the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X and the Intel Core 5 120:

• Process node: 4 nm (AMD) versus 10 nm (Intel)
• Foundry: TSMC versus Intel
• Die size: 70.6 mm² versus 163 mm²
• Transistors: 8,315 million versus not recorded
• Base clock: 3.90 GHz versus 2.50 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.40 GHz versus 4.50 GHz
• L2 cache: 1 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core
• L3 cache: 32 MB shared versus 18 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR5 only versus DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s versus not recorded
• ECC memory: supported versus not supported
• PCIe lanes: 24 (Gen 5) versus 16 (Gen 5)
• Integrated graphics: Radeon Graphics versus UHD Graphics 730
• Socket: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel Socket 1700
• Multiplier unlocked: yes versus no
• Release date: 2025-10-06 versus 2025-07-30
• Launch MSRP: not recorded versus $211
• Part number: 100-000001405E versus SA35V
• Percentile: 50 versus 77
• Average benchmark score: 0 versus 25,362

Identical specifications include 6 cores, 12 threads, 65 W TDP, dual-channel memory bus, and 80 KB L1 cache per core.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120 boosts to 4.50 GHz.

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

A: No, ECC memory is not supported on the Intel Core 5 120. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the Intel Core 5 120's Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The recorded Cinebench R23 multi-core score for the Intel Core 5 120 is 18,255.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 120 has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How does the Intel Core 5 120 compare to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D?

A: The two are effectively tied. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D has an average score of 25,365, and the Intel Core 5 120 has an average score of 25,362, a delta of 0%.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core 5 120?

A: The launch MSRP is $211.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 wins in measured performance categories because it is the only processor in this comparison with recorded benchmark data. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18,255 and single-core score of 2,577 give it documented wins in both multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads. The PassMark suite shows additional wins: single-thread at 3,595, multi-thread at 18,597, integer math at 60,462, floating point math at 45,383, data compression at 219,535, data encryption at 11,131, extended instructions at 14,264, random string sorting at 21,499, find prime numbers at 77, and physics at 1,333. The 77th percentile ranking versus the AMD part's 50th percentile gives the Intel processor a clear positional advantage in the database.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X wins in architectural features. The 4 nm TSMC process node is smaller than Intel's 10 nm node, and the 70.6 mm² die size is less than half of Intel's 163 mm². The base clock of 3.90 GHz and boost clock of 5.40 GHz exceed Intel's 2.50 GHz and 4.50 GHz respectively. The 32 MB L3 cache doubles Intel's 18 MB. Memory bandwidth is recorded at 89.6 GB/s for AMD, with no figure for Intel. ECC memory support, 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 16, an unlocked multiplier, and Radeon integrated graphics round out the AMD advantages. None of these architectural wins translate into measured benchmark victories in the database, however, because no scores exist for the AMD part. The Intel Core 5 120 remains the only processor with demonstrated performance data, and its launch MSRP of $211 is the only price information recorded for either part.