Core Ultra 5 125U vs Core Ultra 5 228V

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 125U vs Core Ultra 5 228V 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 125U vs Core Ultra 5 228V: 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 125U

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 228V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 228V

2024

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc 130V, while Core Ultra 5 125U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (16,955 vs 17,152).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $295 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 125U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 228V better than Core Ultra 5 125U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 5 228V is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 125U pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core Ultra 5 125U also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 125U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core Ultra 5 228V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 228V comes in at an unclear MSRP at $295 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core Ultra 5 125U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (57.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 228V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 125U vs Core Ultra 5 228V Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core Ultra 5 228V

The Core Ultra 5 228V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,955 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 125U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 228V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core Ultra 5 125U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U versus 4.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 228V — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 228V (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 125U uses the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 228V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 125U scores 17,152 against the Core Ultra 5 228V's 16,955 — a 1.2% lead for the Core Ultra 5 125U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 228V.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 125U	Core Ultra 5 228V
Cores / Threads	12 / 14+50%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.5 GHz+5%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.1 GHz+62%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2.5 MB (per core)+25%
Process	7 nm	3 nm-57%
Architecture	Meteor Lake-P (2023)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	17,152+1%	16,955
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,932
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,585
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,053

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 125U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core Ultra 5 228V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 125U	Core Ultra 5 228V
Socket	FCBGA2049	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5X-8533
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	8

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core Ultra 5 125U) / Yes (Core Ultra 5 228V). The Core Ultra 5 228V includes integrated graphics (Arc 130V), while the Core Ultra 5 125U requires a dedicated GPU.