Core i7-1250U vs Core Ultra 5 115U

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 i7-1250U vs Core Ultra 5 115U 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 i7-1250U vs Core Ultra 5 115U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1250U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU), while Core Ultra 5 115U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,305 vs 11,518).
❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 115U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core Ultra 5 115U

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1250U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1250U better than Core Ultra 5 115U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1250U is ahead with a 20.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 115U pulls ahead with 1.9% better PassMark. Core i7-1250U also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 115U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 10 threads.

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

Core i7-1250U is the better buy right now. Core i7-1250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at $426 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core Ultra 5 115U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 115U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 10 threads instead of 10/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-1250U vs Core Ultra 5 115U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-1250U

The Core i7-1250U 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 4.7 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: 11,305 points. Launch price was $149.

Core Ultra 5 115U

The Core Ultra 5 115U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 10 MB. Memory support: DDR5 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 11,518 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-1250U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 115U offers 8 cores / 10 threads — the Core i7-1250U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1250U versus 4.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-1250U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i7-1250U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 115U uses Meteor Lake (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1250U scores 11,305 against the Core Ultra 5 115U's 11,518 — a 1.9% lead for the Core Ultra 5 115U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1250U vs 10 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 115U.

Feature	Core i7-1250U	Core Ultra 5 115U
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+25%	8 / 10
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+12%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	1.5 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+20%	10 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 (2023)
PassMark	11,305	11,518+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,788	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,500	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1250U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 115U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-1250U	Core Ultra 5 115U
Socket	FCBGA1781	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1250U) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 115U). The Core i7-1250U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)), while the Core Ultra 5 115U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1250U targets Thin and Light Laptop.

Feature	Core i7-1250U	Core Ultra 5 115U
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Thin and Light Laptop	—