AMD Ryzen 5 8540U vs Intel Core 5 processor 120U

The AMD Ryzen 5 8540U is a mobile processor with the Hawk Point (Zen 4) architecture, manufactured using the advanced 4 nm process.

It features 6 cores and 12 threads, utilizing a mix of high-performance Zen 4 cores and energy-efficient Zen 4c cores. Equipped with 6 MB L2 cache and 16 MB L3 cache, it offers solid performance. In benchmarks, the processor achieves 2402 points in Geekbench 6 Single-Core and 7841 points in Multi-Core, as well as 6915 points in Cinebench R23 Single-Core.

The integrated AMD Radeon 740M graphics with a maximum memory bandwidth of 77 GB/s is suitable for light gaming and multimedia. As a U-series model, it is optimized for high energy efficiency and long battery life in thin and light notebooks, with a typical TDP in the range of 15-28 W. The price-performance ratio depends heavily on the laptop model in which it is installed.

The Intel Core 5 processor 120U is based on the Raptor Lake U architecture and is manufactured using the 10 nm process.

It utilizes a hybrid architecture with 10 cores and 12 threads, consisting of 2 P-cores and 8 E-cores, and offers 12 MB L2 cache. Specific benchmark values are not available for the Intel Core 5 processor 120U, but respectable performance can be expected in multitasking scenarios and applications that benefit from many cores.

The integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80 (Alder Lake) with a maximum memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s enables smooth display in everyday applications and light games. Like its counterpart, this U-series processor is also designed for maximum energy efficiency and long battery life in mobile devices, with a comparable TDP of 15-28 W.

The price-performance ratio is also largely determined by the overall configuration of the notebook. The AMD Ryzen 5 8540U is characterized by its modern 4 nm manufacturing and Zen 4 architecture, which offers high energy efficiency and convincing performance in single- and multi-core applications.

The integrated AMD Radeon 740M delivers solid graphics performance. The Intel Core 5 processor 120U scores with its hybrid architecture and 10 cores, making it suitable for multitasking and efficient workloads, supported by Intel Iris Xe Graphics. For users who value the latest manufacturing technology and strong performance in various scenarios, the AMD Ryzen 5 8540U is an excellent choice.

If a broader core count for multitasking is a priority, the Intel Core 5 processor 120U offers a good alternative.