Intel Core 5 120U vs AMD Ryzen 5 8540U

Comparative analysis of Intel Core 5 120U and AMD Ryzen 5 8540U processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark.

Intel Core 5 120U

AMD Ryzen 5 8540U

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 5 120U

CPU is newer: launch date 1 month(s) later
4 more cores, run more applications at once: 10 vs 6
Around 2% higher clock speed: 5 GHz vs 4.9 GHz
2.1x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
2.1x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 87% lower typical power consumption: 15 Watt vs 28 Watt
Around 2% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 3770 vs 3700

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	8 Jan 2024 vs 6 Dec 2023
Number of cores	10 vs 6
Maximum frequency	5 GHz vs 4.9 GHz
L1 cache	80 KB (per core) vs 64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1.25 MB (per core) vs 1 MB (per core)
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	15 Watt vs 28 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	3770 vs 3700

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen 5 8540U

A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 4 nm vs 10 nm
Around 33% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 11% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 18433 vs 16633

Specifications (specs)
Manufacturing process technology	4 nm vs 10 nm
L3 cache	16 MB (shared) vs 12 MB (shared)
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	18433 vs 16633

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core 5 120U
CPU 2: AMD Ryzen 5 8540U

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

3770

3700

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

16633

18433

Name	Intel Core 5 120U	AMD Ryzen 5 8540U
PassMark - Single thread mark	3770	3700
PassMark - CPU mark	16633	18433

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core 5 120U	AMD Ryzen 5 8540U
Essentials
Launch date	8 Jan 2024	6 Dec 2023
Place in performance rating	317	321
Performance
Base frequency	1400 MHz	3.2 GHz
L1 cache	80 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	12 MB (shared)	16 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	10 nm	4 nm
Maximum core temperature	100°C	100°C
Maximum frequency	5 GHz	4.9 GHz
Number of cores	10	6
Number of threads	12	12
Unlocked
Die size		137 mm²
Transistor count		20,900 million
Memory
ECC memory support
Supported memory types	DDR4, DDR5	DDR5
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	Intel BGA 1744	FP7
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	15 Watt	28 Watt
Configurable TDP		15-30 Watt
Peripherals
PCIe configurations	Gen 4, 8 Lanes, (CPU only)	Gen 4, 14 Lanes, (CPU only)