Core i7-1255U vs Core Ultra 5 134U

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 i7-1255U vs Core Ultra 5 134U 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 i7-1255U vs Core Ultra 5 134U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1255U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Core Ultra 5 134U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,128 vs 13,169).

Core Ultra 5 134U

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1255U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1255U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 134U better than Core i7-1255U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1255U is ahead with a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 134U pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 134U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 134U still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 5 134U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

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

Core Ultra 5 134U 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 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 10/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-1255U vs Core Ultra 5 134U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-1255U

The Core i7-1255U 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 1.7 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: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,128 points. Launch price was $149.

Core Ultra 5 134U

The Core Ultra 5 134U 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 0.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 13,169 points. Launch price was $332.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-1255U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 134U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 134U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1255U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 134U — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-1255U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 0.7 GHz). The Core i7-1255U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 134U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1255U scores 13,128 against the Core Ultra 5 134U's 13,169 — a 0.3% lead for the Core Ultra 5 134U. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-1255U	Core Ultra 5 134U
Cores / Threads	10 / 12	12 / 14+20%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+7%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+143%	0.7 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-U (2022)	Meteor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	13,128	13,169
Geekbench 6 Single	1,809	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1255U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 134U uses FCBGA2551 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-1255U	Core Ultra 5 134U
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA2551
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1255U) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 134U). The Core i7-1255U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Core Ultra 5 134U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1255U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-1255U rivals Ryzen 7 6800U.