Core i9-11950H vs Core Ultra 5 125H

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 i9-11950H vs Core Ultra 5 125H 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 i9-11950H vs Core Ultra 5 125H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11950H

2021

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 125H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,699 vs 20,754).
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1787 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 125H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 125H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1787 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 24 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 125H better than Core i9-11950H?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 125H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 5 125H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.6% 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 5 125H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 18 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 125H still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 5 125H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core Ultra 5 125H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1787, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 18 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-11950H vs Core Ultra 5 125H Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-11950H

The Core i9-11950H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,699 points. Launch price was $556.

Core Ultra 5 125H

The Core Ultra 5 125H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 14 cores and 18 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 18 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,754 points. Launch price was $375.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-11950H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125H offers 14 cores / 18 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-11950H versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125H — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i9-11950H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-11950H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11950H scores 20,699 against the Core Ultra 5 125H's 20,754 — a 0.3% lead for the Core Ultra 5 125H. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11950H vs 18 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125H.

Feature	Core i9-11950H	Core Ultra 5 125H
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	14 / 18+75%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+11%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+71%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+33%	18 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+60%
Process	10 nm SuperFin	7 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark	20,699	20,754

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11950H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.