Core i7-7820X vs Core Ultra 5 125U

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 i7-7820X vs Core Ultra 5 125U 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 i7-7820X vs Core Ultra 5 125U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7820X

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $599 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 125U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 125U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 125U

2023

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7820X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,152 vs 17,171).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7820X better than Core Ultra 5 125U?

Yes. Core i7-7820X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-7820X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.2% 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 i7-7820X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-7820X is the better buy right now. Core i7-7820X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $599 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 125U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-7820X vs Core Ultra 5 125U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7820X

The Core i7-7820X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 17,171 points. Launch price was $599.

Core Ultra 5 125U

The Core Ultra 5 125U 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 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,152 points. Launch price was $363.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-7820X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7820X versus 4.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-7820X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i7-7820X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 125U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7820X scores 17,171 against the Core Ultra 5 125U's 17,152 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-7820X. L3 cache: 11 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820X vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125U.

Feature	Core i7-7820X	Core Ultra 5 125U
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 14+50%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+5%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+177%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	11 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+9%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark	17,171	17,152

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7820X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 125U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.