AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D and Intel Core 5 120UL occupy very different corners of the desktop processor market. The AMD part is a 12-core, 24-thread Granite Ridge chip built on TSMC's 4 nm process, while the Intel part is a 10-core, 12-thread Raptor Lake-PS chip on Intel's 10 nm process. The recorded data shows a clear performance gap, but the Intel chip has a notable advantage in power efficiency and platform flexibility. This analysis relies solely on the database entries for both processors.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D is absent from the database, with no recorded scores and a percentile ranking of 50 among all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 120UL, however, has a complete set of benchmark results. Because the AMD chip has no benchmark scores, the head-to-head comparison must be framed around the Intel chip's available data and the architectural specifications of the AMD part.

The Intel Core 5 120UL delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 8974 and a single-core score of 1266. In Cinebench R20, it scores 3769 multi-core and 531 single-core. The older Cinebench R15 test shows 904 multi-core and 127 single-core. These scores position the Intel chip at the 68th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 13594.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D, with 12 cores and 24 threads compared to Intel's 10 cores and 12 threads, should theoretically dominate multi-threaded workloads. The AMD chip's boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus Intel's 4.60 GHz suggests a significant single-thread advantage as well. However, without benchmark scores for the AMD part, the database cannot quantify this advantage. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100F with an average score of 13494 and a delta of 0.7%, the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 with a delta of 0.8%, and the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 with a delta of 1.1%. The Intel Core 3 304 scores 13745, putting the Core 5 120UL 1.1% behind it.

The Passmark results for the Intel Core 5 120UL show integer math at 38060, floating point math at 26311, and extended instructions at 5203. Data compression scores 109090, data encryption scores 7685, and random string sorting scores 13610. The multi-thread test yields 10558, while the single-thread test produces 2080. Physics simulation scores 807, and finding prime numbers scores 47.

These numbers indicate that the Intel chip performs best in data compression and integer math, while its prime number finding score is notably low. The AMD chip's 128 MB of L3 cache, a hallmark of the X3D line, would likely boost workloads sensitive to cache capacity, but the database provides no direct measurements to confirm this.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120UL wins in scenarios where power consumption is critical. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the AMD chip's 120 W TDP. This makes the Intel part suitable for compact, passively cooled systems or applications where heat dissipation is a constraint. The Intel chip also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. This memory flexibility allows the Intel chip to work with existing DDR4 platforms, potentially reducing system integration costs.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D wins in raw compute potential. Its 12 cores and 24 threads double the thread count of the Intel chip. The AMD part's 5.50 GHz boost clock exceeds Intel's 4.60 GHz by 0.90 GHz. The AMD chip's 128 MB L3 cache is over ten times larger than Intel's 12 MB shared L3 cache. For workloads that scale with core count, such as rendering, compilation, or scientific simulation, the AMD chip's specifications suggest superior performance.

The Intel chip's 12 MB L3 cache and 1.25 MB L2 per core indicate a design focused on moderate thread counts and efficiency. Its Iris Xe Graphics 80EU integrated GPU is more capable than AMD's Radeon Graphics, which is a generic label without specific execution unit counts. The Intel chip's PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes is less expansive than AMD's PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes, meaning the AMD chip can support more high-speed peripherals.

Benchmark results show the Intel chip's percentile rank of 68, placing it above the median. The AMD chip's percentile of 50 reflects its lack of benchmark data, not necessarily its true performance. The Intel chip's average benchmark score of 13594, when compared to its nearest rivals, shows it is competitive with mainstream quad-core parts like the Core i3-12100F, which scores 13494.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D uses the Granite Ridge codename and belongs to the Ryzen Embedded generation built on Zen 5 architecture. It is manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process, with a transistor count of 16,630 million and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The chip uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. The 128 MB L3 cache indicates the presence of 3D V-Cache technology, which stacks additional cache vertically on the die.

The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename. It is manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process. The chip uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has no reported transistor count or die size in the database.

The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory exclusively, with dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for reliability in embedded or server applications. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also with a dual-channel bus, but the database does not list its memory bandwidth. The Intel chip does not support ECC memory.

The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel chip has a locked multiplier. The AMD chip's PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, whereas the Intel chip provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU.

The AMD chip includes Radeon Graphics as integrated graphics, a generic descriptor. The Intel chip includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, which specifies 80 execution units. The AMD chip was released on 2025-10-06, while the Intel chip was released on 2024-04-07. The AMD chip's part number is 100-000001368E, while the Intel chip's part number is listed as unknown.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speed?

A: The AMD chip boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel chip boosts to 4.60 GHz, a difference of 0.90 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The AMD chip has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel chip has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 120UL does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD chip supports DDR5 only, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The AMD chip has a TDP of 120 W, while the Intel chip has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has a locked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, compared to Intel's 10 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is 4.40 GHz for AMD versus 1.30 GHz for Intel. The boost clock is 5.50 GHz for AMD versus 4.60 GHz for Intel. The TDP is 120 W for AMD versus 15 W for Intel.

The socket differs: AMD Socket AM5 for the AMD chip, Intel Socket 1700 for the Intel chip. The architecture is listed as null for AMD, while Intel uses Raptor Lake. The codename is Granite Ridge for AMD and Raptor Lake-PS for Intel. The process node is 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The foundry is TSMC for AMD and Intel for Intel.

The transistor count is 16,630 million for AMD, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². Intel has no recorded values for either. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core for AMD and 1.25 MB per core for Intel. The L3 cache is 128 MB for AMD and 12 MB shared for Intel. Memory support is DDR5 for AMD and DDR4, DDR5 for Intel. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for AMD and null for Intel.

ECC memory support is true for AMD and false for Intel. PCIe is Gen 5 with 24 lanes for AMD and Gen 4 with 8 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics is Radeon Graphics for AMD and Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for Intel. The multiplier is unlocked for AMD and locked for Intel. The release date is 2025-10-06 for AMD and 2024-04-07 for Intel. The part number is 100-000001368E for AMD and unknown for Intel.

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear split. The Intel Core 5 120UL has extensive benchmark results, an average score of 13594, and a percentile rank of 68, meaning it outperforms most CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals are all within 1.1% in average score, indicating it sits in a competitive mid-range tier. The 15 W TDP makes it suitable for low-power embedded systems, and its support for DDR4 and DDR5 allows for flexible memory choices.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has no benchmark scores in the database, so its performance cannot be directly compared. Its specifications, however, indicate a much higher performance envelope. The 12-core, 24-thread configuration, 5.50 GHz boost clock, and 128 MB L3 cache point to a processor designed for heavy multi-threaded and cache-sensitive workloads. The 120 W TDP and support for ECC memory align with server or workstation-class embedded applications.

The choice between these processors depends on the workload and power budget. The data shows the Intel chip is the verified performer in the database, with concrete scores across Cinebench and Passmark tests. The AMD chip is a higher-spec part on paper, with more cores, faster clocks, and larger cache, but no measured results to confirm its advantage. For applications requiring low power consumption and proven mid-range performance, the Intel Core 5 120UL is the documented choice. For applications demanding maximum core count, cache capacity, and memory bandwidth, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D offers superior specifications, though its benchmark performance remains unrecorded in the database.