AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X vs Intel Core 5 120U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database does not contain a direct head-to-head benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X and the Intel Core 5 120U. The Intel Core 5 120U carries a full suite of recorded benchmark scores, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has no benchmark entries in the database. This asymmetry means the only measurable performance data available for comparison comes from the Intel side, with an average benchmark score of 17,898 and a percentile ranking of 72 across all CPUs.

The Intel Core 5 120U records a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6,659 and a single-core score of 1,756.5. In Cinebench R20, it scores 5,349 multi-core and 755 single-core. Cinebench R15 results show 1,150.5 multi-core and 245 single-core. Geekbench results include a multi-core score of 5,888 and a single-core score of 1,727.

The PassMark suite for the Intel Core 5 120U shows its strongest work in data compression with a score of 166,432, followed by integer math at 52,280 and floating point math at 36,026. Random string sorting records 19,060, while the multithread score is 15,042. Extended instructions score 9,299, and data encryption reaches 10,453. The physics test records 937, and the find prime numbers test scores 53. Single-thread performance in PassMark is 3,479.

The nearest rival comparisons for the Intel Core 5 120U show it is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, which has an average score of 17,891 and a delta of 0 percent. The Intel Core 5 221TE scores 17,860 with a 0.2 percent delta, meaning the 120U is marginally ahead. The Intel Core 7 350 scores 17,779, a 0.7 percent delta, also placing it slightly behind the 120U. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 scores 17,994 with a negative 0.5 percent delta, indicating the 120U trails that chip by a small margin. These deltas are all within one percentage point, so the 120U sits in a tightly packed competitive cluster.

Because the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has no recorded benchmark scores, the data cannot quantify how far ahead or behind it is in any workload. The 9950X carries a 50th percentile ranking versus all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 120U sits at the 72nd percentile. The database shows no wins for either processor in a head-to-head format, as no such comparison exists.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X uses the Granite Ridge codename and is built on the Zen 5 architecture within the Ryzen Embedded generation. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC. The Intel Core 5 120U is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, and uses a 10 nm process node from Intel. Both are active production parts, but they target different market segments: the 9950X is a desktop processor, while the 120U is a mobile processor.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The 9950X provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while the 120U provides 10 cores and 12 threads. The 9950X has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Thermal design power figures are also far apart: the 9950X is rated at 170 watts, while the 120U is rated at 15 watts.

Cache hierarchies diverge in the L2 and L3 levels. Both processors use 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The 9950X uses 1 MB of L2 per core and 64 MB of L3 cache. The 120U uses 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 9950X has a transistor count of 16,630 million and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The database lists no transistor count or die size for the 120U.

Memory support differs. The 9950X supports DDR5 memory only, with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, plus ECC memory support. The 120U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, but the database lists no memory bandwidth figure and no ECC support. PCIe connectivity also differs: the 9950X uses Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the 120U uses Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics solutions are different. The 9950X includes Radeon Graphics, while the 120U includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The 9950X has an unlocked multiplier, while the 120U does not. The socket types are incompatible: the 9950X uses AMD Socket AM5, and the 120U uses Intel BGA 1744. The 9950X was released on 2025-10-06, while the 120U was released on 2024-01-07. The part numbers are 100-000001277E for the 9950X and SRM7P for the 120U.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data only supports direct conclusions for the Intel Core 5 120U. Its workload profile shows the largest scores in data compression and integer math, indicating that those tasks are where it records its most substantial results. Floating point math and random string sorting also show strong scores. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6,659 versus the R20 score of 5,349 and R15 score of 1,150.5 shows scaling across those render workloads.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has no benchmark entries, so the database cannot confirm any workload-specific win for that processor. However, the architectural data suggests areas where it would differ. The 9950X has more cores, more threads, a higher boost clock, a larger L3 cache, and a higher TDP envelope. These attributes are associated with multi-threaded and sustained workloads, but the database does not record scores to verify that.

The 120U, with its 15 watt TDP and mobile socket, is positioned for low-power environments. Its percentile ranking of 72 versus the 9950X's 50 indicates that, among all CPUs in the database, the 120U sits higher in the distribution, but this comparison does not account for the absence of benchmark data for the 9950X. The 120U's nearest rivals, all within 0.7 percent delta, show that it performs in line with desktop processors from earlier generations, including the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600.

For users looking at the database strictly by recorded scores, the 120U is the only part with measurable results. Its single-core Cinebench R23 score of 1,756.5 and Geekbench single-core score of 1,727 indicate moderate single-thread capability. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3,479 aligns with that interpretation. The 9950X cannot be placed in a win column because no numbers exist for it.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 120U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The 9950X has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The 120U has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Both use 80 KB of L1 per core. The 9950X has 1 MB of L2 per core and 64 MB of L3. The 120U has 1.25 MB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The 9950X supports DDR5 only with ECC and dual-channel memory, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The 120U supports DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with no ECC and no listed bandwidth.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The 9950X is rated at 170 watts, and the 120U is rated at 15 watts.

Q: Does the database have any benchmark scores for the 9950X?

A: No. The database records benchmarks only for the Intel Core 5 120U. The 9950X has no benchmark entries.

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each?

A: The 9950X is at the 50th percentile versus all CPUs, and the 120U is at the 72nd percentile.

Q: What PCIe generations do they use?

A: The 9950X uses Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes. The 120U uses Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X | Intel Core 5 120U |

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

| Cores | 16 | 10 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 4.30 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Raptor Lake-U |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 12 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 lanes | Gen 4, 8 lanes |

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000001277E | SRM7P |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not listed |

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

| Benchmark Scores | None recorded | Multiple recorded |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 50 | 72 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 0 | 17,898 |