OVERALL
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
ALTERNATIVES

Intel Core Ultra 5 125U Review | 78 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price in UK: ~£320
  • Avg. price in US: ~$360
  • PassMark benchmark result: 16901
  • N. of physical cores: 12
  • CPU boost clock speed: 4.3 GHz

Intel Core Ultra 5 125U review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

6.3

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

6.3

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Good
6.3

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

5.4

Performance

18.0%

8.1

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

7.2

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

7.3

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.5

Platform

1.0%

8.2

Integrated Graphics

Good
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 5.3
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    5.9

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    6.1

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    5.5

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    2.7

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    5.1

    N. of physical cores

  • 4.1
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    3.8

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    5.1

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    4.6

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    2.7

    L3 cache

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £320

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a mid-range Meteor Lake mobile processor featuring a 12-core, 14-thread architecture (2 Performance cores, 8 Efficient cores, and 2 Low Power Efficient cores) with a max turbo frequency of 4.3 GHz and 12 MB of L3 cache. Built on a 7nm process with a 15W base power (scaling up to 57W), it integrates a dedicated AI Boost NPU for neural workloads and a 4-core Intel Arc Graphics unit capable of 1.85 GHz. Main pros include high power efficiency for long battery life, native support for fast LPDDR5x-7467 memory, and advanced AI acceleration for productivity tasks. However, it suffers from a reduced L3 cache compared to higher-tier Ultra models and slower integrated graphics performance than the 'H' series counterparts, making it less suitable for intensive gaming.

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core Ultra 5 125U

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

?

Performance

18.0%

?

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

?

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

?

Power & Thermal

4.0%

?

Platform

1.0%

?

Integrated Graphics

6.3
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a technical score of 6.31 points, which is higher than that of 69.8% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
1.0
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a popularity of 1 points, which is higher than 0% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

6.3

Overall score

40.0%

8.8

Price

7.1
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.1 points, which is higher than 74.3% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

mobile
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U belongs to the mobile processor class, which is more advanced than that of 7.3% of processors and equal to that of 48.6% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

FCBGA2049
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses the FCBGA2049 CPU socket, which is older than that of 65.9% of processors and equal to that of 1.5% of processors.
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

N/A
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
Show more
N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

12
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has 12 CPU cores, which is more than 81.5% of processors and equal to 5.5% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

14
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U offers 14 CPU threads, which is more than 69.2% of processors and equal to 1.8% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

?
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

4.3 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U reaches a boost clock of 4.3 GHz which is higher than that of 48.2% of processors and equal to that of 2.9% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

2 x 1.3 GHz & 10 x 0.8 GHz & 2 x 0.7 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a base clock of 2x1.3 GHz & 10x0.8 GHz & 2x0.7 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
Show more
Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

7 nm
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a 7 nm process node, which is more advanced than that of 71.5% of processors and equal to that of 10.9% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel 4
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is built on the Intel 4 foundry process, which is more advanced than that of 94.6% of processors and equal to that of 1.4% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

12 MB
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has an L3 cache of 12 MB which is larger than that of 54.4% of processors and equal to that of 9% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

12 MB
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has an L2 cache of 12 MB which is larger than that of 84.8% of processors and equal to that of 2.7% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

704 KB
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has an L1 cache of 704 KB which is larger than that of 77.5% of processors and equal to that of 0.6% of processors.
Show more
DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR5
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports DDR DDR5, which is newer than that of 66.4% of processors and equal to that of 12.6% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

7,467 MHz
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports memory speeds up to 7467 MHz, which is higher than that of 92.1% of processors and equal to 1.2% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

LPDDR5X-7467 MHz
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports JEDEC memory speeds up to LPDDR5X-7467 MHz, which is higher than that of 93.4% of processors and equal to 0.7% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

96 GB
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports up to 96 GB of memory, which is more than 56% of processors and equal to 5.8% of processors.
Show more
Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U includes integrated graphics. 87.6% of processors include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses the Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU integrated GPU, which is more advanced than that in 84.8% of processors and equal to that in 1.3% of processors.
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

64
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has 64 GPU execution units, which is more than 87.4% of processors and equal to 3.5% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

300 MHz
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has an integrated GPU clock of 300 MHz which is lower than that of 57% of processors and equal to that of 38.7% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

AV1 (HW decode/encode)
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports AV1 (HW decode/encode) media codecs, which is narrower support than 61.3% of processors and equal to 1.6% of processors.
Show more
TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

15 W
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a TDP of 15 W which is lower than that of 77.7% of processors and equal to that of 16.1% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

15 W
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a base power of 15 W which is lower than that of 77.2% of processors and equal to that of 16.2% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

57 W
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a boost power of 57 W which is lower than that of 54.6% of processors and equal to that of 1.7% of processors.
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

28 seconds
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a turbo duration of 28 seconds which is longer than that of 3.8% of processors and equal to that of 85% of processors.
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

yes
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports configurable TDP. 52.9% of processors support configurable TDP.
cTDP: 12 W
Show more

Intel Core Ultra 5 125U vs the average processor

  • 4.8x larger L2 cache
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
    What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
    When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=6 MB

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.12 MB vs 2.5 MB
  • More advanced microarchitecture
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Meteor Lake vs Kaby Lake).
    What it is: The internal core-design codename used for this processor generation.
    When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs at a deeper design level and want to identify the exact architecture behind marketing names.

    Importance: LOW

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Meteor Lake vs Kaby Lake).Meteor Lake vs Kaby Lake
  • 6 more CPU cores
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more CPU cores than the average processor (12 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more CPU cores than the average processor (12 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.12 vs 6
  • 4x more L2 per core
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
    E-core module: 2 MB shared
    What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=1 MB/core

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.2 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
  • 2.55x higher memory speed
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (7,467 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
    What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
    When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=4800 MHz

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (7,467 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.7467 MHz vs 2933 MHz
  • 43.6% higher single-core score
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,113 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects single-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
    When it matters: When you care about snappy everyday performance in lighter apps, browsing, office work, or tasks that do not scale well across many cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2000

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,113 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.2,113 vs 1,471
  • Uses big.LITTLE design
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a big.LITTLE design, the average processor does not.
    P-cores + E-cores + LP E-cores
    What it is: Combines high-performance cores with lower-power efficiency cores instead of relying on just one core type.
    When it matters: When you want strong burst performance in demanding tasks without wasting as much power during lighter background work.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a big.LITTLE design, the average processor does not.
  • 31% better single-core performance
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,252 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
    What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >3200

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,252 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.3,252 vs 2,483
  • Supports HMP
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports HMP, the average processor does not.
  • 3 year/s newer release date
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a newer release date than the average processor (2,023 vs 2,020).
  • 6 more CPU cores
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more CPU cores than the average processor (12 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • 43.6% higher single-core score
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,113 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 31% better single-core performance
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,252 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • 6 more CPU threads
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more CPU threads than the average processor (14 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
  • 58% higher multi-core score
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (7,572 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 60.5% higher PassMark score
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (16,901 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 2 wider front-end design
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher front-end width than the average processor (6 vs 4). The average processor uses front-end width of 4.
  • 4.8x larger L2 cache
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • More advanced microarchitecture
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Meteor Lake vs Kaby Lake).
  • 4x more L2 per core
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
  • Uses big.LITTLE design
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a big.LITTLE design, the average processor does not.
  • More advanced foundry
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 4 vs Intel 14 nm).
  • 41.7% smaller process node
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a lower process node than the average processor (7 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • 83.3% larger L1 cache
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (704 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • 50% larger L3 cache
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
  • 2.55x higher memory speed
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (7,467 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • 95.6% higher memory bandwidth
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher memory bandwidth than the average processor (89.6 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
  • Newer PCIe version
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports a newer PCIe version than the average processor (4 vs 3.0).
  • 4 more PCIe lanes
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (20 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
  • Newer DDR support
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR5 vs DDR4).
  • 50% more memory capacity
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (96 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
  • 2.67x more GPU execution units
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more GPU execution units than the average processor (64 vs 24). The average processor has 24 GPU execution units.
  • 1 more supported displays
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has more supported displays than the average processor (4 vs 3). The average processor supports 3 displays.
  • 66.7% lower base power
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
  • 10 °C higher TJ Max
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher TJ Max than the average processor (110 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
  • 66.7% lower TDP
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.

Total
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Integrated Graphics
Power & Thermal
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
  • 15 lower clock multiplier
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (13 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
  • 41.7% less L3 per core
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
  • Narrower media codec support
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (AV1 (HW decode/encode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
  • 10 °C higher CPU temperature
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher CPU temperature than the average processor (110 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
    What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
    When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
  • 41.7% less L3 per core
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
    What it is: The amount of L3 cache effectively available per CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing how much shared cache each core can draw on in deeper technical analysis.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2 MB/core

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.1 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core
  • 10 °C higher CPU temperature
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher CPU temperature than the average processor (110 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
    What it is: The reported operating temperature of the processor.
    When it matters: When you monitor thermals, cooling, or system stability.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <100 °C

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a higher CPU temperature than the average processor (110 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.110 °C vs 100 °C
  • Narrower media codec support
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (AV1 (HW decode/encode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
    What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
    When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

    Importance: LOW

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (AV1 (HW decode/encode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).AV1 (HW decode/encode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)
  • 15 lower clock multiplier
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (13 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
    What it is: The ratio used to derive CPU frequency from the base clock.
    When it matters: When you tune or compare overclocking behavior.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >33

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (13 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.13 vs 28
  • 28% more expensive
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is more expensive than the average processor (£320 vs £250).
    Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is more expensive than the average processor (£320 vs £250).£320 vs £250
Total
Overall
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Integrated Graphics
Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of Intel Core Ultra 5 125U and other processors

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core Ultra 5 125U?

  • Excellent battery life in light tasks, with some users reporting over 10 hours in power-saving modes.
  • Efficient performance for office workloads, enterprise tasks, and academic study.
  • Integrated Arc graphics offer a noticeable improvement over previous Iris Xe generations for casual gaming.
  • Support for modern connectivity standards including Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 5 in compatible laptops.
  • Operates with low power consumption (15W base TDP), making it ideal for thin and light portable designs.

What customers dislike about Intel Core Ultra 5 125U?

  • Significant multi-core performance gap compared to the Core Ultra 5 125H variant.
  • Mixed power efficiency results on Windows compared to Linux, with some users seeing much shorter runtimes.
  • Performance regressions in specific gaming scenarios due to latency issues compared to older Raptor Lake chips.
  • Integrated 4-core Arc GPU is still not powerful enough for demanding modern games at high settings.
  • Laptops featuring this chip often have soldered memory, limiting future upgrade potential.

Expert reviews

N
notebookcheck.net
06/11/2024
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 G5, Ultra 5 125U Review

a little longer The Notebookcheck review of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 (Intel) highlights a shift back to modularity with two SODIMM RAM slots, offering robust build quality and a 455-nit, PWM-free matte display. While the Core Ultra 5 125U provides efficient performance for office tasks, it lags behind AMD counterparts and features limited single-M.2 storage, alongside a...Read more

O
openbenchmarking.org
01/07/2024
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U Benchmarks, Linux Performance

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a 12-core "Meteor Lake" processor optimized for thin-and-light laptops, featuring a 1.3 GHz base clock, 12 MB L3 cache, and a dedicated AI Boost NPU. It provides excellent energy efficiency and a 21% multi-threaded performance increase over the previous generation i7-1355U, making it ideal for enterprise tasks. However, the chip is limited by a 4-core...Read more

B
browser.geekbench.com
14/12/2023
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U Benchmarks - Geekbench Browser

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a 12-core, 14-thread processor from the Meteor Lake-U family designed for highly efficient, thin-and-light laptops, typically achieving Geekbench 6 scores of 2,120–2,180 (single-core) and 8,900–9,600 (multi-core). It utilizes a hybrid architecture with 2 Performance, 8 Efficient, and 2 Low Power Efficient cores, featuring a 15W base TDP and an...Read more

L
laptopmedia.com
14/12/2023
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U - LaptopMedia

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a mid-range, low-voltage Meteor Lake-U processor featuring a 12-core, 14-thread configuration (2 LPE) designed for efficiency in thin-and-light laptops. It operates between 15W and 57W, boasting an integrated NPU for AI workloads, native support for fast LPDDR5x RAM, and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity. While offering improved efficiency through its "Low Power...Read more

N
notebookcheck.net
19/03/2026
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U vs AMD Ryzen 7 8840U Comparison and Test

According to Notebookcheck, the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U in raw processing and graphics performance, making it better for demanding tasks, though it may command higher prices. Conversely, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U excels in efficiency and battery life for thin-and-light laptops, featuring a lower base power consumption and a dedicated NPU for AI,...Read more

C
cpubenchmark.net
30/03/2026
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U - CPU Benchmarks", "Would you like more details on the benchmark results, or are you looking for a specific laptop model with...

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a 15W, 12-core Meteor Lake processor designed for power-efficient thin-and-light laptops, utilizing a hybrid tile-based architecture with performance, efficiency, and low-power island cores. Key advantages include exceptional energy efficiency for extended battery life and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks, along with support for...Read more

(Translated)Show original
N
nbreview.de
24/06/2024
Core Ultra 5 125U Archive - Reviews and Buying Guide

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, a Meteor Lake processor, features a 12-core design focusing on efficiency with a dedicated Low Power Island and integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks. While offering efficient performance for thin-and-light laptops, a notable drawback is its reduced 12 MB L3 cache, which can limit performance in data-heavy applications compared to H-series...Read more

(Translated)Show original
N
notebookcheck.biz
14/12/2023
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U - Benchmarks and Specifications

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a 12-core, 14-thread lower mid-range Meteor Lake processor featuring a specialized "Low Power Island" for superior energy efficiency, alongside an AI NPU and modern connectivity, though it operates with a reduced 12 MB L3 cache compared to higher-end models. Benchmarks show the chip is a strong replacement for the 13th-gen Core i7-1355U, with its...Read more

(Translated)Show original
C
cpubenchmark.net
10/01/2024
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U CPU Performance Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a power-efficient Meteor Lake-U processor featuring a 12-core, 14-thread architecture (2P, 8E, 2LPE) designed for thin-and-light laptops, with a base 15W TDP. Benchmarks indicate a PassMark CPU Mark score around 16,989, showing a 21% improvement in multi-threaded tasks over the Core i5-1335U, alongside an 11 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration. Key advantages...Read more

(Translated)Show original
L
laptopmedia.com
30/03/2024
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U - LaptopMedia

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a 12-core, 14-thread Meteor Lake processor designed for power efficiency, utilizing a specialized 2 Performance, 8 Efficient, and 2 Low Power Island core architecture to replace 13th Gen Raptor Lake chips. It achieves Cinebench 2024 multi-core scores of roughly 539–587, prioritizing sustained, low-load efficiency over raw, high-end power. Key...Read more

(Translated)Show original
N
notebookcheck.nl
23/06/2024
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 14 (2024) Laptop Review

The 2024 HP Envy x360 14 is a versatile, near-premium 2-in-1 laptop featuring a durable aluminum chassis and an optional 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, highly praised for its vibrant color. It offers excellent port selection, including Thunderbolt 4 and full-size HDMI. However, the Intel Core Ultra U-series processor is heavily restricted to prioritize low fan noise,...Read more

(Translated)Show original

Video reviews

Best alternatives

intel-core-ultra-9-285k
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Processors

8.9
amd-ryzen-threadripper-pro-9965wx
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9965WX

Processors

8.8
amd-ryzen-threadripper-pro-9995wx
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9995WX

Processors

8.8
amd-ryzen-threadripper-9960x
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Processors

8.8
amd-ryzen-threadripper-7970x
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Processors

8.7
amd-ryzen-threadripper-pro-9985wx
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9985WX

Processors

8.7
intel-core-ultra-9-285
Intel Core Ultra 9 285

Processors

8.6
amd-ryzen-threadripper-pro-9975wx
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 9975WX

Processors

8.6
amd-ryzen-threadripper-pro-7985wx
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7985WX

Processors

8.6
amd-ryzen-9-9950x3d
AMD Ryzen 9 9950x3d

Processors

8.6
intel-core-i9-13900k
Intel Core i9 13900K

Processors

8.5
amd-ryzen-threadripper-pro-7965wx
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7965WX

Processors

8.5

Compare Intel Core Ultra 5 125U with other processors

VS
VS

Compare