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Intel Core i5-1235U vs Intel Core i5-1240U: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i5-1235U and Core i5-1240U?
They are built to different briefs, and p-core base clock shows it, Core i5-1235U 1.3 GHz against Core i5-1240U 1.1 GHz. There is a split on tdp as well, 15 W on the Core i5-1235U versus 9 W on the Core i5-1240U. There is a split on socket as well, BGA 1744 on the Core i5-1235U versus FCBGA1781 on the Core i5-1240U. They differ on base power too, 15 W on the Core i5-1235U versus 9 W on the Core i5-1240U. They differ on max turbo power too, 55 W on the Core i5-1235U versus 29 W on the Core i5-1240U. Memory type is not the same on both, DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x on the Core i5-1235U versus LPDDR5, LPDDR4x on the Core i5-1240U.
Core i5-1235U vs Core i5-1240U: which one fits your build
The Core i5-1235U is the one to take for budget, business and refurbished thin-and-light laptops and office work, browsing, video calls and streaming, though it is the wrong buy for gaming beyond older or light titles at low settings. It is the wrong buy for heavy video rendering or code compiling, where H-series chips finish sooner. Buy the Core i5-1240U for ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is not the pick for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. Our rating of the Core i5-1235U (7.7/10): the Intel Core i5-1235U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops. Our rating of the Core i5-1240U (7.7/10): the Intel Core i5-1240U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.
What Core i5-1235U and Core i5-1240U have in common
Everything else lines up. Total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and p-core boost clock read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 8 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the L3 Cache the same on the Core i5-1235U and Core i5-1240U?
It is. Both are listed at 12 MB, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 2022
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 15 W
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 9 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- BGA 1744
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- FCBGA1781
Process Node
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 10
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 10
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 2
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 2
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 8
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 12
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 12
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 1.3 GHz
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 1.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 4.4 GHz
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 4.4 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 12 MB
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 12 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 15 W
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 9 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- 55 W
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 29 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i5-1235U
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 1235U if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 12 MB).
Choose 1240U if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core i5-1235U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-1235U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.
Intel Core i5-1240U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-1240U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.