Core i5-1240P vs Core Ultra 7 155U

Intel

Core i5-1240P

12 Cores16 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 155U

12 Cores14 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023

Core i5-1240P vs Core Ultra 7 155U Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i5-1240P vs Core Ultra 7 155U 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 i5-1240P vs Core Ultra 7 155U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240P

2022

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.2% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics, while Core Ultra 7 155U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 155U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 155U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core Ultra 7 155U

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (16,185 vs 16,224).
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1240P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240P better than Core Ultra 7 155U?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 155U is ahead with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240P pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-1240P is the better buy right now. Core i5-1240P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core Ultra 7 155U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (52.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 155U 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 i5-1240P vs Core Ultra 7 155U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1240P

The Core i5-1240P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 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): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,224 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core Ultra 7 155U

The Core Ultra 7 155U 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 1.7 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: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): +Β 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,185 points. Launch price was $490.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-1240P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core Ultra 7 155U's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240P versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155U β€” a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 155U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-1240P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 155U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240P scores 16,224 against the Core Ultra 7 155U's 16,185 β€” a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-1240P. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-1240PCore Ultra 7 155U
Cores / Threads
12 / 16
12 / 14
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
1.7 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-P (2022)
Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark
16,224
16,185
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,268
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
2,102
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,577
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 7 155U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-1240PCore Ultra 7 155U
Socket
FCBGA1744
FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
20
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-1240P) / not specified (Core Ultra 7 155U). The Core i5-1240P includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics), while the Core Ultra 7 155U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240P targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240P rivals Ryzen 5 6600U.

FeatureCore i5-1240PCore Ultra 7 155U
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
β€”
Target Use
Budget
β€”