Core i5-1250P vs Core Ultra 7 266V

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 i5-1250P vs Core Ultra 7 266V 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 i5-1250P vs Core Ultra 7 266V: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1250P

2022

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU), while Core Ultra 7 266V needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 266V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,167 vs 19,274).
❌64.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 17W.

Core Ultra 7 266V

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 17W instead of 28W, a 11W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $520 MSRP, while Core i5-1250P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1250P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 266V better than Core i5-1250P?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 266V is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 266V is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 266V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 266V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 7 266V comes in at an unclear MSRP at $520 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 266V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 12/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1250P vs Core Ultra 7 266V Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1250P

The Core i5-1250P 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: 19,167 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 7 266V

The Core Ultra 7 266V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 19,274 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1250P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 266V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-1250P has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1250P versus 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 266V — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 266V (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-1250P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 266V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1250P scores 19,167 against the Core Ultra 7 266V's 19,274 — a 0.6% lead for the Core Ultra 7 266V. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-1250P	Core Ultra 7 266V
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+50%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.2 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2.5 MB (per core)+100%
Process	Intel 7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Alder Lake-P (2022)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	19,167	19,274
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,250	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,785	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,420	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1250P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 266V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-1250P	Core Ultra 7 266V
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-1250P) / not specified (Core Ultra 7 266V). The Core i5-1250P includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)), while the Core Ultra 7 266V requires a dedicated GPU.