Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Intel Core i9-12950HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125H: Comparison
Core i9-12950HX vs Core Ultra 5 125H l3 cache compared
On l3 cache the spread is 40%, Core i9-12950HX 30 MB against Core Ultra 5 125H 18 MB, so Core i9-12950HX takes it. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 2.3 GHz on the Core i9-12950HX versus 1.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125H. Tdp is not the same on both, 55 W on the Core i9-12950HX versus 28 W on the Core Ultra 5 125H. Socket is not the same on both, FCBGA1964 on the Core i9-12950HX versus FCBGA2049 on the Core Ultra 5 125H.
Who each one is for
The Core i9-12950HX suits high-end gaming laptops and mobile content creation, though it is the wrong buy for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. Buy the Core Ultra 5 125H for everyday laptop computing and on-device AI features, though it is not built for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. Our rating of the Core i9-12950HX (8.6/10): the Intel Core i9-12950HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops. Our rating of the Core Ultra 5 125H (8.1/10): the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H is the value entry point of Intel's H-series Meteor Lake pair, a sensible pick for premium laptops on a tighter budget.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, integrated graphics, socket status, form factor, market segment and smt enabled included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 2 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-12950HX and Core Ultra 5 125H differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 16 on the Core i9-12950HX versus 14 on the Core Ultra 5 125H.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the Core i9-12950HX and Core Ultra 5 125H?
It is. Both are listed at 2, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Intel
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Intel
Product Line
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Core
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Core Ultra
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Laptop
Model Number
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- i9-12950HX
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 5 125H
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Meteor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 2022
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 28 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Intel Arc graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Meteor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- FCBGA1964
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- FCBGA2049
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Mature
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Mature
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 10 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 4 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 16Best
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 14
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 8Best
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 4
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 10Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 24Best
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 18
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 2.3 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 1.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 5 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 4.5 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 30 MBBest
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 18 MB-40%
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 55 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 28 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 157 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 115 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- DDR5, LPDDR5/X
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 7467 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 128 GBBest
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 96 GB
ECC Support
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- No
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Yes
iGPU Model
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Intel UHD Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Intel Arc Graphics
iGPU Compute Units
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 32
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 7
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- PCIe 4.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- 20
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- 16-20%
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Soldered Only
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Soldered Only
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12950HX if you want the higher L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 16).
Choose 125H if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core i9-12950HX
8.6 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12950HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile chassis, a strong pick for high-end gaming and creator laptops.
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H is the value entry point of Intel's H-series Meteor Lake pair, a sensible pick for premium laptops on a tighter budget.
More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)
- Intel Core i9-13905H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
- Intel Core i9-13900HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK vs Intel Core i9-12950HX
- Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10885H vs Intel Core i9-12950HX