CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1240P vs Intel Core i5-1250P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1240P is a 12-core mobile processor from the 12th Generation Alder Lake-P lineup, launched in February 2022.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
12 cores ensure snappy performance in heavy multitasking and office applications.
12 cores handle heavy multitasking, large spreadsheets, and application switching effortlessly.
Gaming
Iris Xe 80EU handles esports titles well but struggles with demanding AAA games.
Capable of playing esports titles and older games at 1080p using integrated graphics.
Virtualization
Easily handles local development virtual machines.
Good for running a local VM or two for development purposes.
Efficiency
Excellent performance-per-watt, ensuring all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Excellent performance-per-watt, ensuring long battery life during mixed-use workloads.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Adequate for background blur and basic audio noise cancellation.
- No dedicated AI silicon.
- Suitable for basic edge AI tasks and background blur features.
- Lacks dedicated AI hardware acceleration.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Suitable for Minecraft, CS:GO, and League of Legends.
- Not designed for high-end gaming without a discrete GPU.
- Supports fast hardware video decoding.
- Iris Xe 80EU handles older or low-demand titles well.
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming without a discrete GPU.
- Hardware video decoding is excellent for media consumption.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 12 cores and 16 threads in a 28W package
- Excellent performance-per-watt
- Supports DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory
- Great for heavy multitasking
- Good value compared to i7 variants
Cons
- Not unlocked for overclocking
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- iGPU slightly slower than i5-1250P
- Can run warm under sustained load
Pros
- 12 cores and 16 threads in a 28W package
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics with high boost clock
- Excellent performance-per-watt
- Supports DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory
- Great for heavy multitasking
Cons
- Not unlocked for overclocking
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- Can throttle under sustained 100% load in poorly cooled chassis
- Integrated graphics still limited for serious gaming
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1240P
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1260PRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1250PRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1 ProRival
Mobile
Better battery life for standard office use.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 6800UAlt
Superior integrated graphics performance for light gaming.
Lower power variant for thinner designs and longer battery life.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Older but cost-effective alternative with solid performance.
Intel Core i5-1250P
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1260PRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625URival
Mobile
Slightly cheaper with near-identical performance, just a lower iGPU clock.
Compare head-to-headBetter battery life for standard ultrabook use.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 6800UAlt
Superior integrated graphics performance.
More power and cores if laptop thickness isn't a concern.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Better battery life and efficiency in the Apple ecosystem.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A nearly identical alternative to the 1250P, offering exceptional 12-core performance in a 28W envelope with excellent value.
Best for: Purchasing a mid-range premium ultrabook for heavy productivity and light content creation.
Read the full reviewAn excellent 28W processor that brings 12 cores and Iris Xe graphics to the thin-and-light category, balancing power and portability perfectly.
Best for: Buying a premium thin-and-light laptop for heavy productivity and light content creation.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1240P or Intel Core i5-1250P?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1250P comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. 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 i5-1240P or Intel Core i5-1250P?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1250P leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i5-1240P and Intel Core i5-1250P.
Do Intel Core i5-1240P and Intel Core i5-1250P use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1744 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.