AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX vs Intel Core 5 120UL Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX and Intel Core 5 120UL are not competitors in any traditional sense; the data shows a complete mismatch in workload capability, with the AMD part winning all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. While both CPUs land at the 68th percentile of all CPUs, their average benchmark scores are close (13786 vs 13594), yet this average masks a massive difference in performance distribution: the Threadripper is a multi-threaded powerhouse, while the Core 5 120UL is a low-power part that excels in specific single-threaded tasks. The benchmark results indicate that the AMD chip is the clear choice for compute-intensive workloads, whereas the Intel chip is defined by its efficiency and integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX wins every single comparison in the head-to-head suite, with deltas ranging from 489.4% to 492.1%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 52895 versus the Core 5 120UL's 8974, a 489.4% advantage that reflects the AMD part's 32 cores and 64 threads against Intel's 10 cores and 12 threads. This pattern repeats across all Cinebench versions: R15 multi-core shows 5331 vs 904 (489.7% delta), R20 multi-core shows 22215 vs 3769 (489.4% delta), and R15 single-core shows 752 vs 127 (492.1% delta).

The single-core results are equally lopsided, which is surprising given the Intel part's higher boost clock. The Threadripper's Cinebench R20 single-core score of 3136 dwarfs the Core 5 120UL's 531, a 490.6% delta. Similarly, R23 single-core sees the AMD chip at 7467 versus Intel's 1266, a 489.8% advantage. These margins suggest that the Intel Core 5 120UL's 1.30 GHz base clock severely limits its performance in Cinebench's single-threaded tests, despite its 4.60 GHz boost capability. The Threadripper, with its 3.50 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, delivers consistently higher scores across the board.

It is notable that the Core 5 120UL has no wins in this comparison, and its only competitive data points come from PassMark tests not present in the head-to-head suite. The average benchmark score for the Threadripper is 13786, while the Intel chip sits at 13594, a 1.4% delta in favor of AMD as listed in the nearestRivals data. However, this average is misleading—it pulls in PassMark results for the Intel chip that show strengths in encryption and integer math, whereas the Cinebench scores reveal the true scale of the performance gap in rendering workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is built on the Zen 2 architecture with the Castle Peak codename, manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 32 cores and 64 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Intel Core 5 120UL uses the Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-PS codename) on Intel's 10 nm process, featuring 10 cores and 12 threads, with a 1.30 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The Threadripper's transistor count is listed at 15,200 million across a die size of 4x 74 mm², while Intel does not disclose these figures.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The Threadripper provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 128 MB of L3 cache. The Core 5 120UL offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and only 12 MB of shared L3. This five-fold difference in L3 cache (128 MB vs 12 MB) is a major factor in the AMD part's ability to handle large datasets without memory bottlenecks. Memory support also diverges: the Threadripper uses DDR4 with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus with no bandwidth figure provided. ECC memory is supported on the AMD part but not on the Intel.

The platform requirements are another differentiator. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket WRX8 with 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Core 5 120UL uses Intel Socket 1700 with just 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. Power consumption is starkly different: the Threadripper has a TDP of 280 W, while the Core 5 120UL is rated at just 15 W. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are listed as Active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX wins in every benchmark category where both chips have shared results. Its Cinebench scores, which test rendering and multi-threaded performance, are all approximately 490% higher than the Intel part. This makes the Threadripper the clear choice for workloads like 3D rendering, video encoding, or any task that scales with core count and thread count. The chip's 128 MB of L3 cache and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth support this strength, allowing it to feed 32 cores efficiently. The data shows the Threadripper is also strong in single-core Cinebench tests, which is unexpected given the Intel part's higher boost clock, but the 3.50 GHz base clock on the AMD chip provides consistent performance.

The Intel Core 5 120UL, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has its own domain of strengths visible in its PassMark benchmarks. It scores 109090 in data compression, 7685 in data encryption, 26311 in floating point math, and 38060 in integer math. Its PassMark single-thread score is 2080, which is competitive for a low-power chip. The 15 W TDP and integrated graphics make it suitable for systems where power efficiency and a compact design are priorities, such as fanless desktops or embedded applications. The dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support adds flexibility for system builders, though the 8 PCIe lanes limit expansion options compared to the Threadripper's 128 lanes.

In the nearestRivals data, the Threadripper is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core 3 304 and 1.4% ahead of the Core 5 120UL in average score, while the Core 5 120UL is 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i3-12100F and 1.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500. This positioning shows that the Core 5 120UL competes in the entry-level desktop segment, while the Threadripper sits among high-end workstation processors, despite their similar average scores.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX is the superior processor for any workload that demands maximum multi-threaded performance. Its 489.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 492.1% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core leave no doubt that it outperforms the Intel Core 5 120UL by a factor of roughly six in rendering tasks. The Threadripper is the right choice for professionals running simulation, rendering, or data analysis software that can utilize its 32 cores and 64 threads, and its 128 MB L3 cache and eight-channel memory provide the bandwidth those cores need.

The Intel Core 5 120UL is not without merit, but its role is entirely different. With a 15 W TDP and integrated Iris Xe Graphics, it is designed for low-power desktop systems where the Threadripper's 280 W TDP would be impractical. The Intel chip's PassMark scores in data compression (109090) and integer math (38060) show it can handle everyday computing tasks, but it cannot compete in the Cinebench benchmarks that define the Threadripper's market. The data suggests the Core 5 120UL should be chosen for energy-efficient builds, while the Threadripper is for those who need raw compute power and have the platform budget to support it. The 1.4% average score delta between the two chips is a statistical artifact—in real workloads, the Threadripper is in a different league.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core 5 120UL has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Threadripper scores 52895, which is 489.4% higher than the Core 5 120UL's 8974 score.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 120UL have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it features Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the AMD Threadripper has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the AMD Threadripper PRO 3975WX?

A: It supports DDR4 on an eight-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth; the Intel chip uses dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 with no bandwidth figure listed.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 120UL has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to the Threadripper's 4.20 GHz, but the AMD part wins all single-core Cinebench tests.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these CPUs?

A: The AMD Threadripper has a 280 W TDP, while the Intel Core 5 120UL is rated at 15 W.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX | Intel Core 5 120UL |

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

| Cores | 32 | 10 |

| Threads | 64 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 1.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 280 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket WRX8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Castle Peak | Raptor Lake-PS |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 15,200 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 4x 74 mm² | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 128 MB | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Release Date | 2020-07-13 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $2749 | Not specified |