AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X boosts up to 5.60 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 120U reaches 5.00 GHz.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X is built on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120U uses Intel's 10 nm process.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120U does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the AMD part?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 120U has no recorded memory bandwidth figure.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Intel Core 5 120U has a percentile of 72, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has a percentile of 50. The Intel part also has an average benchmark score of 17,898, while the AMD part has no benchmark scores recorded.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Granite Ridge codename, built on Zen 5 architecture. It is manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process node, with 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 5 120U is based on Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, produced on Intel's 10 nm process. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip is soldered to Intel BGA 1744.

Cache organization differs substantially. The AMD processor provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with a large 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel processor also has 80 KB of L1 per core, but its L2 is 1.25 MB per core, and its L3 is only 12 MB shared. This L3 disparity is significant for workloads that benefit from large shared caches.

Memory support also separates the two. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel, but it lacks ECC support and has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD processor supplies Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel processor provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are present on both. The AMD part includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel chip is locked. The AMD processor was released later, on 2025-10-06, while the Intel processor was released on 2024-01-07. The AMD part is classified as Desktop, and the Intel part as Mobile. The AMD part number is 100-000000662E, and the Intel part number is SRM7P.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data includes only the Intel Core 5 120U; the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no benchmark scores in the database. Therefore, the head-to-head comparison must rely on the Intel chip's absolute scores and its standing among rival processors.

In Cinebench R23, the Intel Core 5 120U scores 6,659 in multi-core and 1,756.5 in single-core. Cinebench R20 shows 5,349 multi-core and 755 single-core. Cinebench R15 yields 1,150.5 multi-core and 245 single-core. Geekbench results are 5,888 multi-core and 1,727 single-core. These scores place the Intel part in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17,898.

PassMark tests provide a broader view. The Intel chip scores 166,432 in data compression, 10,453 in data encryption, 9,299 in extended instructions, 53 in find prime numbers, 36,026 in floating point math, 52,280 in integer math, 15,042 in multithread, 937 in physics, 19,060 in random string sorting, and 3,479 in single-thread (also recorded as 3,479 in singlethread).

Since the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no recorded benchmark scores, wins cannot be assigned. The database shows winsA as 0 and winsB as 0. The only quantitative comparison available is the Intel chip's performance relative to its nearest rivals. The Intel Core 5 120U has an average score of 17,898. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, has an average score of 17,891, a delta of 0%. The Intel Core 5 221TE scores 17,860, which is 0.2% lower. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17,994, which is 0.5% higher than the Intel part. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17,779, which is 0.7% lower. These deltas are small, indicating the Intel Core 5 120U sits in a tight performance band around the 17,800 to 18,000 average score range.

The lack of AMD benchmark data means no direct multi-core or single-core comparison can be quantified. The Intel chip's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6,659 and single-core score of 1,756.5 are the sole reference points for its generation. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1,727 also stands alone. The data confirms the Intel part is a capable mobile processor, but it cannot be positioned against the AMD part without measurements.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports one clear conclusion: the Intel Core 5 120U has extensive benchmark coverage, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has none. Any selection between the two must therefore be based on architectural characteristics rather than measured performance.

For workloads where large L3 cache matters, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X offers 64 MB of L3, which is over five times the 12 MB shared L3 of the Intel Core 5 120U. The AMD chip also provides Gen 5 PCIe with 24 lanes, compared to Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the Intel part. ECC memory support on the AMD chip is a distinguishing feature for reliability-sensitive applications.

For power-constrained or mobile environments, the Intel Core 5 120U has a 15 W TDP, while the AMD part has a 120 W TDP. The Intel chip's mobile classification and BGA 1744 socket indicate it is designed for integration into compact systems. The AMD chip, with a desktop classification and AM5 socket, targets higher-performance embedded or desktop scenarios.

The Intel Core 5 120U's benchmark presence, with a 72nd percentile ranking and an average score of 17,898, gives it a quantifiable performance baseline. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no such baseline in the database. Users requiring verified performance numbers should note that only the Intel part has recorded scores. Users prioritizing cache capacity, PCIe bandwidth, or ECC support should consider the AMD part based on its specifications.

The data does not indicate a winner in raw performance because the AMD chip lacks measurements. The verdict is conditional: the Intel part is the only one with performance evidence, while the AMD part offers superior specifications in several areas, pending benchmark validation.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X | Intel Core 5 120U |

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

| Series | 9000 series | Not specified |

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Cores | 12 | 10 |

| Threads | 24 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 4.40 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Raptor Lake-U |

| Generation | Ryzen Embedded (Zen 5) | Core 5 (Raptor Lake-U) |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes | Gen 4, 8 Lanes |

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | Active |

| Release Date | 2025-10-06 | 2024-01-07 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000000662E | SRM7P |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 50 | 72 |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 0 | 17,898 |