AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X contains no benchmark results, while the Intel Core 5 120U has an extensive benchmark suite. This asymmetry means the comparison relies entirely on the Intel processor's measured performance and the architectural specifications of both parts. The Intel Core 5 120U posts an average benchmark score of 17898, placing it at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with an average score of 17891 (a 0% delta), the Intel Core 5 221TE at 17860 (0.2% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (0.5% behind), and the Intel Core 7 350 at 17779 (0.7% ahead).

The Intel Core 5 120U delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6659 and a single-core score of 1756.5. In Cinebench R20, it scores 5349 multi-core and 755 single-core. The older Cinebench R15 test shows 1150.5 multi-core and 245 single-core. Geekbench results indicate 5888 multi-core and 1727 single-core. PassMark tests cover a broad range: multi-thread at 15042, single-thread at 3479, integer math at 52280, floating point math at 36026, extended instructions at 9299, data compression at 166432, data encryption at 10453, physics at 937, find prime numbers at 53, and random string sorting at 19060.

Since the AMD processor has no recorded benchmark scores, the head-to-head comparison cannot show any wins for the AMD part. The data indicates zero wins for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X and zero wins for the Intel Core 5 120U in the head-to-head benchmarks field, which is empty. The benchmark evidence that exists belongs entirely to the Intel Core 5 120U, and its percentile ranking of 72 places it above the median CPU in the database. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X holds a percentile ranking of 50, which indicates the median position, but without scores, this ranking cannot be tied to specific measured workloads.

The PassMark data shows the Intel Core 5 120U is strongest in data compression (166432) and integer math (52280), while floating point math (36026) and random string sorting (19060) are also substantial. The single-thread score of 3479 and multi-thread score of 15042 reveal a processor that balances single-core responsiveness with multi-core throughput. The find prime numbers score of 53 is notably lower than other integer workloads, which suggests the workload responds differently to the processor's architecture. The physics score of 937 and extended instructions score of 9299 round out the picture of a mobile processor with moderate computational breadth.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X uses the Granite Ridge codename from the Ryzen Embedded generation built on Zen 5 architecture, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It contains 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The thermal design power is 65 watts, and it uses the AMD Socket AM5. The processor includes 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 70.6 mm² with 8,315 million transistors. Memory support is DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and ECC memory is supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics, and the multiplier is unlocked.

The Intel Core 5 120U belongs to the Raptor Lake-U codename under the Raptor Lake architecture, manufactured on a 10 nm process at Intel. It has 10 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power is 15 watts, and it uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket. Cache consists of 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded. ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, and the multiplier is locked.

The process node difference is substantial: 4 nm for AMD versus 10 nm for Intel. The AMD part has fewer cores (8 versus 10) but more threads (16 versus 12), which reflects the simultaneous multithreading approach on the Zen 5 design versus the hybrid core arrangement in Raptor Lake-U. The AMD base clock of 3.80 GHz is significantly higher than the Intel base clock of 1.40 GHz, while the boost clocks are closer at 5.50 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power differs by a wide margin, with AMD at 65 watts and Intel at 15 watts, which aligns with the desktop versus mobile market segments. The AMD part supports ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5, while the Intel part does not support ECC and uses PCIe Gen 4. The AMD processor has a larger L3 cache at 32 MB compared to 12 MB for Intel, though Intel has a slightly larger L2 cache per core at 1.25 MB versus 1 MB.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the Intel Core 5 120U has extensive benchmark results, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has none. This makes a direct performance comparison impossible from the database. The Intel processor's average benchmark score of 17898 and 72nd percentile ranking indicate it performs above the median CPU in the database. The AMD processor's 50th percentile ranking with no scores suggests it sits at the median position, but the absence of measured workloads means no performance claims can be made for it.

For tasks that require ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, or an unlocked multiplier, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X is the only option between the two, based on its specifications. For tasks that require lower power consumption, the Intel Core 5 120U at 15 watts TDP is the data-supported choice. The Intel processor also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which provides flexibility in system configuration, while the AMD part is limited to DDR5. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores versus 8 for AMD, but AMD has 16 threads versus 12 for Intel, so thread-heavy workloads could favor AMD if benchmark data existed to confirm it.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Core 5 120U?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has an average benchmark score of 17898, placing it at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X have any benchmark scores in the database?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has no recorded benchmark scores, and its average benchmark score is 0.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120U does not.

Q: What is the thermal design power of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has a thermal design power of 65 watts, and the Intel Core 5 120U has a thermal design power of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core 5 120U's boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120U wins in the benchmark evidence category because it is the only processor with recorded scores. Its performance in Cinebench R23 multi-core at 6659 and Geekbench multi-core at 5888 demonstrates measurable multi-threaded capability. The PassMark multi-thread score of 15042 and single-thread score of 3479 provide concrete data points for workload estimation. The Intel part also wins on power efficiency, with a 15 watt TDP compared to 65 watts for AMD, which matters for mobile and compact systems. The support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory gives the Intel processor broader memory compatibility.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X wins on several specification fronts. It has a higher boost clock at 5.50 GHz versus 5.00 GHz for Intel. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in embedded and server workloads. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 24 lanes vastly exceeds the Intel part's PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes, which affects expansion capability. The larger L3 cache of 32 MB versus 12 MB could benefit cache-sensitive workloads, though no benchmark data confirms this. The unlocked multiplier on the AMD part allows overclocking, while the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD processor uses a newer 4 nm process compared to Intel's 10 nm, and the higher base clock of 3.80 GHz versus 1.40 GHz suggests stronger sustained performance at the core level.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.80 GHz for AMD and 1.40 GHz for Intel, with boost clocks of 5.50 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively. The thermal design power is 65 watts for AMD and 15 watts for Intel. The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1744. The process nodes differ at 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel, with TSMC as the foundry for AMD and Intel as its own foundry.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3: AMD uses 1 MB of L2 per core and 32 MB of shared L3, while Intel uses 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core. Memory support differs, with AMD supporting only DDR5 and Intel supporting both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for AMD at 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. PCIe connectivity shows AMD with Gen 5 and 24 lanes versus Intel with Gen 4 and 8 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics on AMD and Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on Intel. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while the Intel multiplier is locked. Release dates differ, with Intel released on 2024-01-07 and AMD released on 2025-10-06. The AMD part number is 100-000001404E, and the Intel part number is SRM7P.