Core i5-1235U vs Core Ultra 7 164U

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 i5-1235U vs Core Ultra 7 164U 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 i5-1235U vs Core Ultra 7 164U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1235U

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (2,095 vs 2,131).

Core Ultra 7 164U

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,625 vs 12,740).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1235U better than Core Ultra 7 164U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 164U is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1235U pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1235U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-1235U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-1235U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.

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

Core Ultra 7 164U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-1235U vs Core Ultra 7 164U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1235U

The Core i5-1235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,740 points. Launch price was $149.

Core Ultra 7 164U

The Core Ultra 7 164U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,625 points. Launch price was $448.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1235U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 164U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1235U versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 1.3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-1235U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1235U scores 12,740 against the Core Ultra 7 164U's 12,625 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-1235U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,095 vs 2,131, a 1.7% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-1235U	Core Ultra 7 164U
Cores / Threads	10 / 12	12 / 14+20%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz+18%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Meteor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	12,740	12,625
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,766
Geekbench 6 Single	2,095	2,131+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,973

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1235U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses FCBGA2551 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-1235U versus LPDDR5x-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 164U — the Core Ultra 7 164U supports 23.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-1235U) vs 12 (Core Ultra 7 164U) — the Core i5-1235U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-1235U	Core Ultra 7 164U
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA2551
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200	LPDDR5x-6400+23%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1235U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-1235U) and Intel Arc (Core Ultra 7 164U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1235U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i5-1235U rivals Ryzen 5 6600U; Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.

Feature	Core i5-1235U	Core Ultra 7 164U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics 80EU	Intel Arc
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Enthusiast