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Intel Core Ultra 5 115U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U: Comparison
What is the difference between Core Ultra 5 115U and Core Ultra 5 125U?
These two are close on paper, and total cores is the only measure that separates them at all: Core Ultra 5 115U 8 against Core Ultra 5 125U 12. Efficiency cores is closer, 6 on the Core Ultra 5 115U versus 10 on the Core Ultra 5 125U. Total threads is closer, 10 on the Core Ultra 5 115U versus 14 on the Core Ultra 5 125U. There is a split on p-core boost clock as well, 4.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U versus 4.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U. Add l3 cache to that, 10 MB on the Core Ultra 5 115U versus 12 MB on the Core Ultra 5 125U, and the pattern holds. They differ on p-core base clock too, 1.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U versus 1.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 125U.
Which should you buy, Core Ultra 5 115U or Core Ultra 5 125U?
The Core Ultra 5 115U is the one to take for everyday laptop computing and on-device AI features, though it is not the pick for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. The Core Ultra 5 125U suits everyday laptop computing and on-device AI features, though it is the wrong buy for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. Our rating of the Core Ultra 5 115U (7.9/10): the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U is a efficiency-oriented Meteor Lake mobile chip, well suited to thin-and-light everyday laptops. Our rating of the Core Ultra 5 125U (7.9/10): the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a efficiency-oriented Meteor Lake mobile chip, well suited to thin-and-light everyday laptops.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Performance cores, tdp, integrated graphics, socket and form factor read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 9 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Release Year the same on the Core Ultra 5 115U and Core Ultra 5 125U?
It is. Both are listed at 2023, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- Meteor Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- Meteor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 2023
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 15 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 15 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- Intel Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- Intel Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- Meteor Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- Meteor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- FCBGA2049
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- FCBGA2049
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 4 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 4 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 12Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 2
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 6
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 10Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 10
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 14Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 1.5 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 1.3 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 4.2 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 4.3 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 10 MB-17%
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 12 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 15 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 15 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 57 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 57 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- DDR5, LPDDR5/X
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- DDR5, LPDDR5/X
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- Yes
NPU Peak TOPS
- Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
- 11 TOPS (NPU 3)
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 11 TOPS (NPU 3)
Which one should you pick?
Choose 115U if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 125U if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
Verdict
Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U is a efficiency-oriented Meteor Lake mobile chip, well suited to thin-and-light everyday laptops.
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a efficiency-oriented Meteor Lake mobile chip, well suited to thin-and-light everyday laptops.