
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
Expert rating8.1 / 10
- Brand:
- Intel
- Form Factor:
- Laptop
- CPU Socket:
- BGA 2049 (BGA
- Core/Thread Count:
- 14C/18T
- TDP:
- 28W
- iGPU:
- Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG)
- CPU Series:
- Core Ultra
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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: 2026-09-12
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H Review
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H 14-core 18-thread laptop processor, 3.6GHz base / 5.1GHz boost, 28W TDP, Meteor Lake, BGA 2049 (BGA, soldered) socket
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H is the lower-clocked half of Intel's original Meteor Lake H-series pair, a performance mobile chip for premium laptops built where the 135H isn't needed. Built on Intel's Meteor Lake architecture, it pairs 14 cores and 18 threads with a 3.6GHz base clock that boosts up to 4.5GHz, an on-die NPU rated at 11 TOPS (NPU 3), and Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG) graphics, all within a 28W envelope.
Performance and Architecture
With 14 cores and 18 threads, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H is built on Intel's Meteor Lake generation. Its 3.6GHz base clock boosts to 5.1GHz, and its Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG) integrated graphics and 11 TOPS (NPU 3) NPU support on-device AI features alongside everyday computing and light content creation.
Platform and Efficiency
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H uses the BGA 2049 (BGA, soldered) platform in a 28W envelope, positioning it as premium laptops. Its NPU brings Copilot+ style on-device AI acceleration to supported workloads.
Comparison to Alternatives
Within the Core Ultra lineup in this catalog, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H is the entry point into the H-series pair, priced below the Core Ultra 5 135H while sharing the same core and thread count. Against AMD's Ryzen AI Mobile processors in this catalog, it competes on NPU throughput and platform efficiency, and it undercuts the 135H on price for buyers who don't need the extra clock headroom.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| Product Line | Core Ultra |
| Model Number | 5 125H |
| Codename | Meteor Lake |
| Release Year | 2023 |
Segment and platform
| Market Segment | Laptop |
|---|---|
| Microarchitecture | Meteor Lake |
| Socket | BGA 2049 (BGA, soldered) |
| Socket Status | Mature |
| Process Node | 7 nm |
Core configuration
| Total Cores | 14 |
|---|---|
| Performance Cores | 6 |
| Efficiency Cores | 8 |
| Low Power Cores | 2 |
| Total Threads | 18 |
| SMT Enabled | Yes |
Clock speeds
| P-Core Base Clock | 3.6 GHz |
|---|---|
| P-Core Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz |
Cache
| L3 Cache | 21 MB |
|---|
Power and thermal
| Base Power | 28 W |
|---|---|
| Max Turbo Power | 64 W |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR5 or LPDDR5X |
|---|---|
| Max Memory Speed | 7467 MT/s |
| Memory Channels | 2 |
| Max Memory Capacity | 96 GB |
| ECC Support | No |
Graphics and AI
| Integrated Graphics | Yes |
|---|---|
| iGPU Model | Intel Arc Graphics |
| iGPU Compute Units | 7 |
| NPU Peak TOPS | 11 TOPS (NPU 3) |
| NPU Peak TOPS | 11 TOPS |
| Copilot Plus Certified | No |
Expansion
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 |
|---|---|
| PCIe Lanes | 16 |
Commercial
| Retail Availability | Soldered Only |
|---|
| Form Factor | Laptop |
|---|---|
| TDP | 28 W |
| iGPU | Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG) |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating8.1 / 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.
Best for
- Everyday laptop computing
- On-device AI features
- Premium ultrabooks
Not for
- Gaming laptops
- Heavy sustained workloads
- Desktop replacement use
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H is a processor from Intel. Key specs: Cores 14, Threads 18, Base Clock 3.6 GHz, Boost Clock 5.1 GHz, L3 Cache 21.
Will the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H work with my current setup?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H lists Socket is BGA 2049 (BGA, soldered). Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H best suited to?
It suits everyday laptop computing, on-device ai features, premium ultrabooks.
What are the drawbacks of the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H?
It is a poor fit for gaming laptops, heavy sustained workloads, desktop replacement use.
