AMD Ryzen 5 6600H vs Intel Core 5 120 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 6600H and Intel Core 5 120 are both 6-core, 12-thread processors, but they target different segments of the market: the former is a mobile chip for laptops, while the latter is a desktop part. Benchmark data shows they have nearly identical average scores—25550 for the AMD and 25362 for the Intel—placing them within 0.7% of each other overall. However, this parity masks significant differences in workload-specific performance, with the Intel part dominating in heavily threaded compute tasks and the AMD part countering with victories in several Passmark sub-tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 120 claims the majority of head-to-head wins, taking 9 of the 15 benchmark comparisons. Its most decisive victories come in rendering and simulation workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel scores 18255 against the AMD's 10322, a massive 43.5% margin. Similarly, in Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads 2577 to 1458, a 43.4% gap. The pattern continues in Cinebench R15, where it wins multi-core (1840 vs 1681.5, an 8.6% advantage) and single-core (259 vs 234, a 9.7% edge). Passmark physics shows another substantial win for Intel, scoring 1333 versus 891, a 33.2% difference, and it also leads in floating-point math (45383 vs 36796, an 18.9% margin) and prime number finding (77 vs 52, a 32.5% lead). Single-threaded performance also favors Intel, with a Passmark single-thread score of 3595 versus 3178, an 11.6% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 5 6600H, despite losing the overall count, wins 6 benchmarks, and its victories are concentrated in specific integer and data-processing tasks. Its largest win is in Passmark data encryption, where it scores 14277 against Intel's 11131, a substantial 28.3% lead. It also wins in extended instructions (15903 vs 14264, an 11.5% margin) and random string sorting (23888 vs 21499, an 11.1% lead). In integer math, it scores 64927 versus 60462, a 7.4% advantage, and it edges out Intel in data compression (229879 vs 219535, a 4.7% win). The AMD also takes a narrow victory in Passmark multithread, scoring 18669 versus 18597, a marginal 0.4% difference. These results suggest the AMD has a specialized strength in encryption and integer-heavy operations, while the Intel part is broadly faster for general compute, rendering, and physics.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The AMD Ryzen 5 6600H uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, manufactured on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It has a die size of 208 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core 5 120 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake Refresh, built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a smaller die size of 163 mm².

Cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core, a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger cache hierarchy on the Intel side likely contributes to its superior single-threaded and rendering performance.

Memory support is another key divider. The AMD supports only DDR5 memory with dual-channel access, offering a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, though its memory bandwidth figure is not provided in the data. This gives the Intel more flexibility in system building, as it can work with older, more affordable DDR4 memory or newer DDR5.

PCIe support also differs. The AMD offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe Gen 5 standard on the Intel side offers higher potential bandwidth for compatible devices, though the AMD provides more lanes.

The integrated graphics are distinct as well. The AMD features a Radeon 660M, while the Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. Neither is specified for high-end gaming, but they provide basic display output capabilities. The AMD is a mobile part with a TDP of 45 watts, while the Intel is a desktop part with a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel uses Socket 1700, and the AMD uses AMD Socket FP7.

The Verdict

Benchmark data clearly shows that the Intel Core 5 120 is the better choice for users prioritizing raw compute performance, particularly in rendering, physics simulation, and single-threaded workloads. Its 43.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 43.4% lead in R23 single-core are decisive, making it the stronger processor for video editing, 3D rendering, and CPU-intensive productivity tasks. The data also shows a 33.2% advantage in Passmark physics, suggesting better performance in physics-based simulations and some gaming workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 6600H, while behind in overall compute, demonstrates clear strengths in specific areas. Its 28.3% lead in data encryption makes it a better option for workloads involving cryptographic operations, VPNs, or secure data handling. It also leads in integer math (7.4%) and extended instructions (11.5%), which could benefit certain scientific or data-processing applications. Its win in data compression (4.7%) and random string sorting (11.1%) suggests it handles some data manipulation tasks more efficiently.

For a laptop user seeking a capable mobile processor, the AMD 6600H offers competitive performance with a lower 45W TDP. For a desktop builder focused on maximum compute performance, the Intel Core 5 120 is the data-backed choice, despite its higher 65W TDP. The Intel's support for both DDR4 and DDR5 also gives it a system-building advantage. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical (25550 vs 25362), so the decision hinges on workload specifics rather than general speed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 6600H has an average benchmark score of 25550, while the Intel Core 5 120 scores 25362, a difference of 188 points or roughly 0.7%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any test?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core 5 120 scores 18255 versus the AMD's 10322, giving Intel a 43.5% lead.

Q: In which test does the AMD Ryzen 5 6600H have its biggest win?

A: The AMD's biggest win is in Passmark data encryption, where it scores 14277 compared to Intel's 11131, a 28.3% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 6600H supports only DDR5, while the Intel Core 5 120 supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: Both have the same boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The AMD has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz, while the Intel has a base clock of 2.50 GHz.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 120 has larger per-core L2 cache at 1.25 MB versus 512 KB on the AMD, and larger L3 cache at 18 MB versus 16 MB. The Intel also has larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core versus 64 KB.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test delivers the most lopsided result in the comparison. Intel scores 18255, which is 43.5% higher than AMD's 10322. This indicates the Intel can complete multi-threaded rendering tasks in roughly two-thirds of the time, a critical advantage for content creation workloads. The single-core R23 test shows a nearly identical relative gap, with Intel at 2577 versus AMD at 1458, a 43.4% difference. This is unusual, as single-core gaps are often smaller, but the data is clear.

Cinebench R15 results follow the same trend but with a smaller magnitude. Intel wins multi-core with 1840 against 1681.5 (an 8.6% lead) and single-core with 259 against 234 (a 9.7% lead). These older tests show a much tighter race, suggesting the gap widens in more modern, demanding workloads.

Passmark physics shows Intel leading 1333 to 891, a 33.2% margin. This is a significant win for simulation and game physics performance. Floating-point math also favors Intel, with a score of 45383 versus 36796, an 18.9% lead. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to integer and loop performance, goes to Intel by 32.5% (77 vs 52).

The AMD's counter-attacks are concentrated in Passmark tests. Data encryption is its strongest result, scoring 14277 against Intel's 11131, a 28.3% lead. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 11.1% (23888 vs 21499). Extended instructions are also an AMD win, 15903 versus 14264, an 11.5% margin. Integer math favors AMD at 64927 versus 60462, a 7.4% lead. Data compression shows AMD ahead at 229879 versus 219535, a 4.7% edge. The Passmark multithread test is nearly a tie, with AMD winning by just 0.4% (18669 vs 18597). Single-thread performance, however, clearly belongs to Intel, which scores 3595 to AMD's 3178, an 11.6% lead.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in their process node, with the AMD using a 6 nm TSMC process and the Intel using a 10 nm Intel process. The AMD has a larger die size at 208 mm², compared to Intel's 163 mm². Base clocks differ, with AMD at 3.30 GHz and Intel at 2.50 GHz, while both boost to 4.50 GHz. The TDP also differs, with AMD at 45 watts and Intel at 65 watts. The AMD uses AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1700.

Cache hierarchy differs across all levels: L1 cache is 64 KB per core on AMD versus 80 KB per core on Intel; L2 cache is 512 KB per core on AMD versus 1.25 MB per core on Intel; L3 cache is 16 MB shared on AMD versus 18 MB shared on Intel. Memory support shows AMD limited to DDR5, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is specified for AMD at 76.8 GB/s, but is not provided for Intel. PCIe support differs, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes and Intel offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics are also different: Radeon 660M on AMD versus UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $211 and a release date of 2025-07-30, while the AMD has no launch MSRP or release date in the data.