Core Ultra 5 125U vs Xeon E5-2680 v4

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 125U

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

106%

#158

Core i9-13900H

MSRP: $617|Avg: N/A

104%

#161

Core Ultra 7 268V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

102%

#162

Core Ultra 7 256V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $350

101%

#165

Core Ultra 5 125U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

98%

#169

Core i7-1280P

MSRP: $482|Avg: $482

97%

#173

Core Ultra 5 238V

MSRP: $454|Avg: $454

94%

#176

Core i9-13900HK

MSRP: $697|Avg: N/A

91%

#178

Core i7-1360P

MSRP: $480|Avg: $280

90%

#179

Core i7-1260P

MSRP: $432|Avg: $432

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680 v4

#115

Xeon W-1370

MSRP: $323|Avg: $323

103%

#119

Xeon 6505P

MSRP: $563|Avg: $563

101%

#124

Xeon E5-2680 v4

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#130

EPYC 9115

MSRP: $726|Avg: $726

96%

#131

EPYC 74F3

MSRP: $913|Avg: $824

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core Ultra 5 125U (2023) utilizes 7 nm technology and DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core Ultra 5 125U	Xeon E5-2680 v4
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-P (2023) / 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-EP (2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2680 v4 (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core Ultra 5 125U	Xeon E5-2680 v4
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core Ultra 5 125U Benchmark Check

Xeon E5-2680 v4 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 125U and Xeon E5-2680 v4

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.

Xeon E5-2680 v4

The Xeon E5-2680 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,292 points. Launch price was $1,745.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 125U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v4 — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 125U (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 125U uses the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 125U scores 17,152 against the Xeon E5-2680 v4's 17,292 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-2680 v4. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 125U vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2680 v4.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 125U	Xeon E5-2680 v4
Cores / Threads	12 / 14	14 / 28+17%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+30%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+85%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	35 MB+192%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	3.5 MB+75%
Process	7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Meteor Lake-P (2023)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	17,152	17,292

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 125U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 125U	Xeon E5-2680 v4
Socket	FCBGA2049	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	40

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core Ultra 5 125U) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2680 v4). Direct competitor: Xeon E5-2680 v4 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.