Intel

Intel Core Ultra 5 125U

Expert rating7.9 / 10

Brand:: Intel
Form Factor:: Laptop
CPU Socket:: FCBGA2049
Core/Thread Count:: 12C/14T
TDP:: 15W
iGPU:: Intel Graphics
CPU Series:: Core Ultra

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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: 2026-10-10

Intel Core Ultra 5 125U Review

Intel Core Ultra 5 125U 12-core 14-thread laptop processor, 1.3GHz base / 2.9GHz boost, 15W TDP, Meteor Lake, BGA 2049 (BGA, soldered) socket

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a mainstream mobile chip for thin-and-light laptops. Built on Intel's Meteor Lake architecture, it pairs 12 cores and 14 threads with a 1.3GHz base clock that boosts up to 2.9GHz, an on-die NPU rated at 11 TOPS (NPU 3), and Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG, reduced EU) graphics, all within a 15W envelope.

Performance and Architecture

With 12 cores and 14 threads, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is built on Intel's Meteor Lake generation. Its 1.3GHz base clock boosts to 2.9GHz, and its Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG, reduced EU) integrated graphics and 11 TOPS (NPU 3) NPU support on-device AI features alongside everyday computing and light content creation.

Measured results

Cinebench scores

Cinebench 2024, Multi-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	516 513 to 518.5
Cinebench 2024, Single-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	92 91 to 92.6
Cinebench R23, Single-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	1,567 1,566 to 1,567

Measured results

Geekbench scores

Geekbench 6, Multi-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	9,011 8,972 to 9,050
Geekbench 6, Single-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	2,151 2,148 to 2,153

Platform and Efficiency

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses the BGA 2049 (BGA, soldered) platform in a 15W envelope, positioning it as thin-and-light 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 125U sits in the 5-series tier alongside other Meteor Lake parts, differentiated mainly by clock speed, core count, and TDP. Against AMD's Ryzen AI Mobile processors in this catalog, Intel's Core Ultra competes on NPU throughput, integrated graphics, and platform efficiency, while against Intel's own prior-generation Core i mobile parts in this catalog it adds the on-die NPU and improved efficiency cores.

Our verdict

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Expert rating7.9 / 10

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a efficiency-oriented Meteor Lake mobile chip, well suited to thin-and-light everyday laptops.

Best for

Everyday laptop computing
On-device AI features
Thin-and-light laptops

Not for

Gaming laptops
Heavy sustained workloads
Desktop replacement use

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity

Codename	Meteor Lake
Release Year	2023

Segment and platform

Market Segment	Laptop
Microarchitecture	Meteor Lake
Socket	FCBGA2049
Process Node	4 nm

Core configuration

Total Cores	12
Performance Cores	2
Efficiency Cores	10
Total Threads	14
SMT Enabled	Yes

Clock speeds

P-Core Base Clock	1.3 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock	4.3 GHz

Cache

L3 Cache	12 MB

Power and thermal

Base Power	15 W
Max Turbo Power	57 W

Memory

Memory Type	DDR5, LPDDR5/X

Graphics and AI

Integrated Graphics	Yes
NPU Peak TOPS	11 TOPS (NPU 3)

Form Factor	Laptop
TDP	15 W
iGPU	Intel Graphics

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U?

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has 12 cores and 14 threads, a 1.3 GHz base and 4.3 GHz boost clock, 12 MB of L3 cache and a 15 W TDP. Integrated graphics: Intel Graphics. Socket: FCBGA2049.

Will the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U work with my current setup?

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U lists Socket is FCBGA2049. 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 125U best suited to?

Best suited to: Everyday laptop computing; On-device AI features; Thin-and-light laptops.

What are the drawbacks of the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U?

Not the best fit for: Gaming laptops; Heavy sustained workloads; Desktop replacement use.