Core Ultra 5 125H vs M4 (8 cores)

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 Ultra 5 125H vs M4 (8 cores) 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 Ultra 5 125H vs M4 (8 cores): Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core Ultra 5 125H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +27.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,754 vs 20,761).

M4 (8 cores)

2024

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 125H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is M4 (8 cores) 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 27.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, M4 (8 cores) pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, M4 (8 cores) is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

M4 (8 cores) still makes the most sense overall. M4 (8 cores) comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark.

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

M4 (8 cores) makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 14/18. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 125H vs M4 (8 cores) Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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.