Core i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 125H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 125H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 125H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 125H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,754 vs 20,907).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-7900X better than Core Ultra 5 125H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 125H is ahead with a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7900X pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core Ultra 5 125H also has the bigger cache pool with 28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-7900X is the better buy right now. Core i9-7900X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $999 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core Ultra 5 125H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 125H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and 28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-7900X vs Core Ultra 5 125H Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-7900X

The Core i9-7900X 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 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 14 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,907 points. Launch price was $999.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 125H offers 14 cores / 18 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-7900X versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125H — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-7900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7900X scores 20,907 against the Core Ultra 5 125H's 20,754 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-7900X. L3 cache: 14 MB (total) on the Core i9-7900X vs 18 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125H.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Core Ultra 5 125H
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	14 / 18+40%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	14 MB (total)	18 MB (total)+29%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark	20,907	20,754
Geekbench 6 Single	1,323	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,536	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7900X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 125H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Core Ultra 5 125H
Socket	LGA2011	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	44	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7900X) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 125H). Primary use case: Core i9-7900X targets High-End Desktop.