Core i5-11500 vs Core Ultra 5 125U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-11500 vs Core Ultra 5 125U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-11500 vs Core Ultra 5 125U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-11500

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 750, while Core Ultra 5 125U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 5 125U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,096 vs 17,152).
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 125U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 125U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 125U

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500 better than Core Ultra 5 125U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-11500 is ahead with a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 125U pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 125U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-11500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core Ultra 5 125U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 125U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-11500 vs Core Ultra 5 125U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-11500

The Core i5-11500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 125U

The Core Ultra 5 125U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,152 points. Launch price was $363.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 125U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Core Ultra 5 125U's 17,152 — a 0.3% lead for the Core Ultra 5 125U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core Ultra 5 125U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 14+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+7%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+108%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark	17,096	17,152
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,883	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,064	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,564	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 125U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Core Ultra 5 125U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 125U). The Core i5-11500 includes integrated graphics (UHD 750), while the Core Ultra 5 125U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.