OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Processors Methodology v3.0
Processors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Processors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Processors Methodology v3.0

Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL review: 74 specs compared

Avg. price:~£270PassMark multi-core score:16898N. of physical cores:12CPU boost clock speed:4.3 GHzCPU socket:FCBGA2049TDP (Thermal design power):15 W

Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL Review: Compare 74 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Processors category and whether it is worth buying.

7.3/10

Overall score

Score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components

40%

7.3

Technical score

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.2, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–²Better than 70% of processors
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

9.1

Price

â–²Better than 77%
7.3

Technical score

Technical score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 73% of models
Score components

60%

7.0

Performance

18%

7.5

Architecture

10%

7.7

Memory & PCIe

7%

7.8

Power & Thermal

4%

7.7

Platform

1%

8.6

Integrated graphics

â–²Better than 73%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.2.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £270
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
    Loading category ranking...

    Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL

    Technical score
    Technical score
    7.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
    Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
    Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    Score components:

    60%

    7.0

    Performance

    18%

    7.5

    Architecture

    10%

    7.7

    Memory & PCIe

    7%

    7.8

    Power & Thermal

    4%

    7.7

    Platform

    1%

    8.6

    Integrated graphics

    7.3
    Reviews score
    7.2
    List score
    ?
    Value for money
    Value for money
    7.8/ 10
    ✕
    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 distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    Score components:

    70%

    7.3

    Overall score

    30%

    9.1

    Price

    7.8
    Processor type
    embedded
    This processor belongs to the embedded processor class, which is less advanced than that of 93.1% of processors and equal to that of 6.9% of processors.
    CPU socket
    FCBGA2049
    This processor uses the FCBGA2049 CPU socket, which is older than that of 67.9% of processors and equal to that of 1.7% of processors.
    Chipset
    N/A
    CPU architecture
    x86-64
    This processor uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.8% of processors and equal to that of 98.2% of processors.
    Instruction sets
    SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
    This processor supports SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 instruction sets, which is narrower support than 88.2% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
    Show more
    N. of physical cores
    12
    Market range: <2 – >12
    This processor has 12 CPU cores, which is more than 79.9% of processors and equal to 5.7% of processors.
    CPU threads
    14
    Market range: <4 – >24
    This processor offers 14 CPU threads, which is more than 67.3% of processors and equal to 1.6% of processors.
    CPU boost clock speed
    4.3 GHz
    Market range: <3 GHz – >5.5 GHz
    This processor reaches a boost clock of 4.3 GHz which is lower than that of 51.5% of processors and equal to that of 2.9% of processors.
    CPU base clock speed
    2x 1.3 GHz & 10x 0.8 GHz & 2x 0.7 GHz
    This processor has a base clock of 2x1.3 GHz & 10x0.8 GHz & 2x0.7 GHz which is lower than that of 62% of processors and equal to that of 0.1% of processors.
    PassMark multi-core score
    16,898
    Market range: <2.5k – >32.5k
    This processor scores 16,898 in PassMark, which is higher than 62.2% of processors.
    Show more
    Semiconductor size
    7 nm
    Market range: <4 nm – >24 nm
    This processor uses a 7 nm process node, which is more advanced than that of 70.4% of processors and equal to that of 10.5% of processors.
    Foundry
    Intel 4
    This processor is built on the Intel 4 foundry process, which is more advanced than that of 94.2% of processors and equal to that of 1.4% of processors.
    L3 cache
    12 MB
    Market range: <2 MB – >32 MB
    This processor has an L3 cache of 12 MB which is larger than that of 52% of processors and equal to that of 9.3% of processors.
    L2 cache
    ?
    L1 cache
    704 KB
    Market range: <128 KB – >1.2k KB
    This processor has an L1 cache of 704 KB which is larger than that of 77% of processors and equal to that of 0.5% of processors.
    Show more
    DDR memory version
    DDR5
    This processor supports DDR DDR5, which is newer than that of 64.2% of processors and equal to that of 12.8% of processors.
    Maximum memory speed
    7,467 MHz
    Market range: <1.5k MHz – >6.5k MHz
    This processor supports memory speeds up to 7,467 MHz, which is higher than that of 90.8% of processors and equal to 1.4% of processors.
    Max memory speed (JEDEC)
    DDR5-5600 MHz
    This processor supports JEDEC memory speeds up to DDR5-5600 MHz, which is higher than that of 77.4% of processors and equal to 6.2% of processors.
    Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
    ?
    Maximum memory capacity
    96 GB
    Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
    This processor supports up to 96 GB of memory, which is more than 53.4% of processors and equal to 5.8% of processors.
    Show more
    Integrated graphics
    yes
    This processor includes integrated graphics. 14.7% of processors offer this.
    Integrated GPU model
    Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU
    This processor uses the Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU integrated GPU, which is more advanced than that in 84.5% of processors and equal to that in 1.3% of processors.
    Integrated GPU execution units
    ?
    Integrated GPU base frequency
    300 MHz
    Market range: <300 MHz – >800 MHz
    This processor has an integrated GPU clock of 300 MHz which is lower than that of 57.8% of processors and equal to that of 38.4% of processors.
    Integrated media encoders/decoders
    H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode/encode), MPEG-2 (HW decode), VC-1
    Show more
    TDP (Thermal design power)
    15 W
    Market range: <15 W – >90 W
    This processor has a TDP of 15 W which is lower than that of 79.2% of processors and equal to that of 15.1% of processors.
    Base power (PL1)
    15 W
    Market range: <15 W – >90 W
    This processor has a base power of 15 W which is lower than that of 78.3% of processors and equal to that of 15.6% of processors.
    Boost power (PL2)
    57 W
    Market range: <25 W – >150 W
    This processor has a boost power of 57 W which is lower than that of 56.4% of processors and equal to that of 2% of processors.
    Tau (power duration limit)
    28 seconds
    Market range: <8 seconds – >28 seconds
    This processor has a turbo duration of 28 seconds which is longer than that of 4.4% of processors and equal to that of 85.3% of processors.
    Configurable TDP
    yes
    This processor supports configurable TDP. 46.4% of processors offer this.
    Show more

    Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL vs the average processor

    246810TotalPlatformPerformanceArchitectureMemory & PCIeIntegrated graphicsPower & Thermal
    • More advanced microarchitecture
      This processor uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Meteor Lake vs Kaby Lake).
      Meteor Lake vs Kaby Lake
    • 6 more CPU cores
      This processor 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
      This processor 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
    • 6 more CPU threads
      This processor has more CPU threads than the average processor (14 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
      14 vs 8
    • 2.33x higher memory speed
      This processor has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (7,467 MHz vs 3,200 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 3,200 MHz.
      7,467 MHz vs 3,200 MHz
    • More advanced foundry
      This processor uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 4 vs Intel 14 nm).
      Intel 4 vs Intel 14 nm
    • Mixed big and small cores
      This processor uses a big.LITTLE design, while the average processor does not. 22.6% of processors use one.
      P-cores + E-cores + LP E-cores
    • 91% higher memory bandwidth
      This processor has a higher memory bandwidth than the average processor (89.6 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.
      89.6 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s
    • 4 years newer release date
      This processor has a newer release date than the average processor (2024 vs 2020).
      April 2024
      2024 vs 2020
    • Supports heterogeneous scheduling
      This processor uses heterogeneous multi-processing, while the average processor does not. 24.8% of processors use it.
    • 6 more CPU cores
      This processor has more CPU cores than the average processor (12 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
      12 vs 6
    • 6 more CPU threads
      This processor has more CPU threads than the average processor (14 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
      14 vs 8
    • 27.1% better single-core performance
      This processor has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,252 vs 2,558). The average processor scores 2,558 in PassMark single-core.
      3,252 vs 2,558
    • 47.3% higher PassMark score
      This processor has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (16,898 vs 11,469). The average processor scores 11,469 in PassMark benchmark.
      16,898 vs 11,469
    • 45.4% higher multi-core score
      This processor has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (7,572 vs 5,209). The average processor scores 5,209 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
      7,572 vs 5,209
    • More advanced microarchitecture
      This processor uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Meteor Lake vs Kaby Lake).
      Meteor Lake vs Kaby Lake
    • 4x more L2 per core
      This processor 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
    • More advanced foundry
      This processor uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 4 vs Intel 14 nm).
      Intel 4 vs Intel 14 nm
    • Mixed big and small cores
      This processor uses a big.LITTLE design, while the average processor does not. 22.6% of processors use one.
      P-cores + E-cores + LP E-cores
    • 41.7% smaller process node
      This processor has a lower process node than the average processor (7 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
      7 nm vs 12 nm
    • 83.3% larger L1 cache
      This processor has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (704 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
      704 KB vs 384 KB
    • 2.33x higher memory speed
      This processor has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (7,467 MHz vs 3,200 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 3,200 MHz.
      7,467 MHz vs 3,200 MHz
    • 91% higher memory bandwidth
      This processor has a higher memory bandwidth than the average processor (89.6 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.
      89.6 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s
    • Newer PCIe version
      This processor supports a newer PCIe version than the average processor (4 vs 3).
      4 vs 3
    • Newer DDR support
      This processor supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR5 vs DDR4).
      DDR5 vs DDR4
    • Higher JEDEC memory speed
      This processor has a higher JEDEC memory speed than the average processor (DDR5-5600 MHz vs DDR4-3200 MHz). The average processor supports JEDEC memory speed of DDR4-3200 MHz.
      DDR5-5,600 MHz vs DDR4-3,200 MHz
    • 50% more memory capacity
      This processor has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (96 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
      96 GB vs 64 GB
    • Better integrated GPU
      This processor uses a better integrated GPU than the average processor (Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU vs Intel UHD Graphics 630).
      Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU vs Intel UHD Graphics 630
    • 1 more supported displays
      This processor has more supported displays than the average processor (4 vs 3). The average processor supports 3 displays.
      4 vs 3
    • 66.7% lower base power
      This processor 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.
      15 W vs 45 W
    • 5 °C higher temperature limit
      This processor has a higher temperature limit than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor can run up to 100 °C.
      105 °C vs 100 °C
    • 66.7% lower TDP
      This processor has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
      15 W vs 45 W
    • Narrower instruction support
      This processor 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, AMD-V).
      SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V
    • 45.9% less L3 per core
      This processor has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.85 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
      1 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core
    • Narrower media codec support
      This processor supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode/encode), MPEG-2 (HW decode), VC-1 vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode)).
      H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode/encode), MPEG-2 (HW decode), VC-1 vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode)
    • 10 °C higher CPU temperature
      This processor 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
    • 15 lower clock multiplier
      This processor has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (13 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
      13 vs 28
    • Lower base clock
      This processor has a lower base clock than the average processor (2x1.3 GHz & 10x0.8 GHz & 2x0.7 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz).
      2x1.3 GHz & 10x0.8 GHz & 2x0.7 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz
    • 2.3% lower boost clock
      This processor has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
      4.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
    • Narrower instruction support
      This processor 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, AMD-V).
      SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V
    • 15 lower clock multiplier
      This processor has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (13 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
      13 vs 28
    • Lower base clock
      This processor has a lower base clock than the average processor (2x1.3 GHz & 10x0.8 GHz & 2x0.7 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz).
      2x1.3 GHz & 10x0.8 GHz & 2x0.7 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz
    • 2.3% lower boost clock
      This processor has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
      4.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
    • 45.9% less L3 per core
      This processor has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.85 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
      1 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core
    • Narrower media codec support
      This processor supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode/encode), MPEG-2 (HW decode), VC-1 vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode)).
      H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode/encode), MPEG-2 (HW decode), VC-1 vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode)
    • 10 °C higher CPU temperature
      This processor 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

    Video reviews

    Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

    Not graded

    Third-party reviews

    What customers like about Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL

    • Improved power efficiency for light office tasks and web browsing compared to previous generations
    • Better-than-average integrated graphics performance for a low-power chip, suitable for casual 1080p gaming
    • Integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) provides a future-ready edge for local AI acceleration and background tasks
    • Smooth multitasking performance for daily productivity and office applications
    • Reliable thermal management in thin-and-light laptop form factors

    What customers don't like about Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL

    • Significantly lower clock speeds compared to higher-tier 'H' or 'K' series Core Ultra 5 models
    • Reduced performance for heavy multi-threaded workloads like 4K video editing or complex 3D rendering
    • Lacks an unlocked multiplier, meaning it cannot be easily overclocked for extra speed
    • Current software support for the NPU is still maturing, limiting immediate real-world benefits for many users
    • Face stiff competition from AMD Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series, which often lead in multi-core efficiency

    Verdict

    The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL is a Meteor Lake-PS architecture processor designed for the LGA 1851 socket, featuring a 12-core, 14-thread configuration (2 Performance, 8 Efficient, and 2 Low-Power Efficient cores). It operates with a base frequency of 1.3 GHz, reaching a max turbo boost of 4.3 GHz, and is equipped with a 12 MB L3 cache and a 15W base TDP. Main characteristics include an integrated Intel AI Boost NPU for dedicated AI workloads and Intel Graphics with 4-cores. Key pros are its high power efficiency for low-power devices and modern support for DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5x-7467 memory. Available cons include a relatively low P-core count for intensive multitasking compared to 'H' series models and potential performance throttling under heavy sustained loads in thin chassis.

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