Core i5-1240U vs Core i7-1265U

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 i5-1240U vs Core i7-1265U 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 i5-1240U vs Core i7-1265U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240U

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 10W instead of 15W, a 6W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (14 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i7-1265U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1265U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-1265U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,282 vs 13,387).
❌57.9% higher power demand at 15W vs 9.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1240U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240U better than Core i7-1265U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1265U is ahead with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-1240U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-1240U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-1240U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 10/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-1240U vs Core i7-1265U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1240U

The Core i5-1240U 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 1.1 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: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,387 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-1265U

The Core i7-1265U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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: 13,282 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-1240U and Core i7-1265U share an identical 10-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240U versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-1265U — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-1265U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). Both are built on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture using a Intel 7 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-1240U scores 13,387 against the Core i7-1265U's 13,282 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-1240U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-1240U	Core i7-1265U
Cores / Threads	10 / 12	10 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	1.8 GHz+64%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	13,387	13,282
Geekbench 6 Single	1,650	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-1265U uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-1240U	Core i7-1265U
Socket	FCBGA1781	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	14	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1240U) / not specified (Core i7-1265U). The Core i5-1240U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i7-1265U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240U rivals Ryzen 5 5600U.