CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1235U vs Intel Core i7-1255U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1235U is a low-power mobile processor from the 12th Generation Alder Lake-U family, launched in February 2022.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and heavy browser tabs effortlessly.
Highly responsive for daily office tasks, with plenty of E-cores to keep background apps from slowing down the system.
Gaming
Only suitable for very light or older 2D games.
Can run esports games like League of Legends smoothly, but struggles with modern AAA titles on integrated graphics.
Virtualization
Can run a light VM, but core count is low for heavy dev work.
Good for light Docker containers, but 2 P-cores limit performance when running full Windows VMs.
Efficiency
Top-tier efficiency, allowing for all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Excellent power management ensures long battery life during typical office use.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Handles background blur and basic audio enhancement.
- Not suited for AI development or inference.
- No NPU
- AI workloads handled by CPU/GPU
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 80EU is sufficient for hardware video decoding.
- Not recommended for 3D gaming.
- Can handle Minecraft or CS:GO at low settings.
- Iris Xe 96EU handles 1080p low settings for older games
- Throttles under sustained 3D loads
- Best paired with a discrete GPU for serious gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency (15W base TDP)
- 10 cores provide great multitasking
- Supports fast LPDDR5 memory
- Good single-core burst performance
- Hardware AV1 decoding
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy workloads
- Basic integrated graphics
- Locked multiplier
- Soldered to the motherboard
Pros
- Excellent performance-per-watt
- Very flexible memory support
- Good single-core burst performance
- Plenty of PCIe lanes for an ultrabook chip
- Reliable Iris Xe integrated graphics
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy multi-threading
- Soldered to the motherboard
- Can get warm during 55W turbo bursts
- Not suitable for gaming without a discrete GPU
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1235U
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5825URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1255URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
Even lower power (9W) for longer battery life in thinner designs.
Compare head-to-headBetter sustained performance if you need more multi-core power.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 6600UAlt
Better integrated graphics for light gaming.
- Alt
Superior efficiency and battery life in the Apple ecosystem.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-1255U
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1185G7Rival
Mobile
Offers slightly higher clock speeds (4.8 GHz) for marginally better burst performance.
Compare head-to-headA more cost-effective alternative that offers very similar everyday performance.
Compare head-to-headBetter sustained performance if you can accommodate the 28W TDP.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Strong alternative with better integrated graphics efficiency.
- Intel Core i7-1355UAlt
The 13th Gen successor with refined efficiency and clock speeds.
Our Verdict on Each
A highly efficient 15W processor that brings 10-core hybrid architecture to mainstream laptops, offering excellent battery life and solid daily performance.
Best for: Buying a thin-and-light laptop for school, office work, or general everyday use.
Read the full reviewA highly efficient and popular 15W processor that powers a vast majority of mid-range premium ultrabooks, offering great daily responsiveness.
Best for: Buying a standard ultrabook for school or office work where you need strong battery life and snappy daily performance.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1235U or Intel Core i7-1255U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1235U comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-1235U or Intel Core i7-1255U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-1255U leads with a gaming performance score of 64/100 among Intel Core i5-1235U and Intel Core i7-1255U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1235U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1235U (15 W), Intel Core i7-1255U (55 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1235U and Intel Core i7-1255U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1744 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-1255U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-1255U (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.