AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database currently holds no recorded head-to-head measurements for this pairing. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has no benchmark scores, average scores, or percentile data recorded, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has a complete benchmark profile. The absence of direct comparison data means the analysis must rely on the available specifications and the Intel part's recorded performance against its nearest rivals.

The Intel Core 5 120UL posts an average benchmark score of 13594, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals show how tightly grouped this performance tier is: the Intel Core i3-12100F scores 13494, a delta of 0.7% behind; the Intel Core 3 N355 scores 13492, a delta of 0.8% behind; the Intel Core i5-9500 scores 13452, a delta of 1.1% behind; and the Intel Core 3 304 scores 13745, a delta of 1.1% ahead. The Core 5 120UL sits within roughly one percent of all four rivals, indicating a very narrow performance band.

Looking at the Intel part's individual workload results, the Cinebench R23 multicore score is 8974 and the single-core score is 1266. In Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 3769 with a single-core result of 531. The older Cinebench R15 test shows a multicore score of 904 and a single-core score of 127. PassMark results include a multithread score of 10558, a single-thread score of 2080, integer math at 38060, floating point math at 26311, extended instructions at 5203, and data compression at 109090. These figures define the Intel part's measured capability, but without AMD data there is no direct win-loss record to report.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and process generations. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X uses the Granite Ridge codename with Zen 5 architecture, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The die size is 70.6 mm² and it contains 8,315 million transistors. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. No transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel part.

Core configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel chip has 10 cores and 12 threads. Both expose 12 threads, but the AMD part achieves this with 6 full cores, while Intel uses 10 cores with some efficiency-oriented configuration. The base clock tells a clear story: AMD runs at 3.90 GHz, Intel at 1.30 GHz. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for AMD and 4.60 GHz for Intel. The thermal envelope differs by a wide margin: AMD is rated at 65 W TDP, Intel at 15 W TDP.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core on AMD versus 1.25 MB per core on Intel. L3 cache is 32 MB shared on AMD versus 12 MB shared on Intel. Memory support diverges: AMD supports DDR5 only with dual-channel configuration and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode with no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel.

PCIe connectivity differs in generation and lane count. AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU-only lanes. Intel provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel part does not. Sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket AM5, Intel uses Socket 1700. Release dates place the AMD part in October 2025 and the Intel part in April 2024.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores compared to 6 cores on the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X. Both parts expose 12 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The AMD part has a 3.90 GHz base clock and 5.40 GHz boost clock. The Intel part has a 1.30 GHz base clock and 4.60 GHz boost clock.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 120UL does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do the L3 cache sizes compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 120UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has higher PCIe bandwidth capability?

A: The AMD part supports PCIe Gen 5 with 24 CPU-only lanes. The Intel part supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU-only lanes.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X is rated at 65 W TDP. The Intel Core 5 120UL is rated at 15 W TDP.

The Verdict

The recorded data does not permit a direct performance comparison. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has no benchmark scores in the database, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has a full set of recorded results and a 68th percentile placement. What the specifications do show is a clear division of purpose. The AMD part is built for high throughput with a 5.40 GHz boost clock, 32 MB of L3 cache, DDR5 support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, ECC memory, PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes, and an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part is built for efficiency with a 15 W TDP, a 1.30 GHz base clock that keeps power draw low, support for both DDR4 and DDR5, and a compact 10-core configuration.

The Intel part's nearest rival data shows it performs within 1.1% of four comparable processors, which indicates a stable, predictable performance level for its class. The AMD part's specifications suggest a much higher performance ceiling given its clock speeds, cache size, and memory bandwidth, but the database contains no measurements to confirm this. Users needing a low-power desktop processor with validated benchmark results can look at the Intel Core 5 120UL. Users needing maximum compute throughput, ECC memory support, or PCIe Gen 5 connectivity should consider the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X based on its specifications alone.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X | Intel Core 5 120UL |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 1.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Raptor Lake-PS |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 8,315 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 70.6 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2025-10-06 | 2024-04-07 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X wins on raw compute potential based on its specification sheet. The 5.40 GHz boost clock is 0.80 GHz higher than the Intel part's 4.60 GHz. The 32 MB L3 cache is nearly three times the Intel part's 12 MB. Memory bandwidth is recorded at 89.6 GB/s for AMD, while no figure exists for Intel. ECC memory support gives AMD a clear advantage in reliability-sensitive workloads. PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes provides triple the lane count of the Intel part's 8 lanes and a newer generation. The unlocked multiplier allows user-controlled overclocking. The 65 W TDP permits sustained high-clock operation.

The Intel Core 5 120UL wins on efficiency and validated performance. The 15 W TDP is a fraction of the AMD part's 65 W rating, making it suitable for thermally constrained environments. The 10-core configuration provides more physical cores for parallel workloads. The recorded benchmark scores confirm its performance tier: the 68th percentile placement and the narrow delta range of 1.1% against four rivals establish a known performance baseline. DDR4 support gives the Intel part flexibility with existing memory infrastructure. The earlier release date of April 2024 means the platform has had more time in the field. The Iris Xe Graphics 80EU provides a documented integrated graphics solution. The 1.25 MB L2 cache per core is larger than the AMD part's 1 MB per core, which can benefit certain access patterns within a single core's working set.