Core Ultra 5 125H vs M4 (8 cores)
Core Ultra 5 125H
M4 (8 cores)
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 125H
Performance Per Dollar M4 (8 cores)
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 125H | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-H (2023) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 5 125H | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 125H and M4 (8 cores)
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.
M4 (8 cores)
The M4 (8 cores) is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 28 October 2024 (1 year ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.89 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 MB. Memory support: LPDDR5x. Passmark benchmark score: 20,761 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 5 125H packs 14 cores / 18 threads, while the M4 (8 cores) offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125H has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125H versus 4 GHz on the M4 (8 cores) — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 125H (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.89 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 125H is built on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 125H scores 20,754 against the M4 (8 cores)'s 20,761 — a 0% lead for the M4 (8 cores).
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 125H | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 18+75% | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz+13% | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+25% | 2.89 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | — |
| Process | 7 nm | 3 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Meteor Lake-H (2023) | — |
| PassMark | 20,754 | 20,761 |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 5 125H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the M4 (8 cores) uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 125H | M4 (8 cores) |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2049 | none |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
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