CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1240P vs Intel Core i7-1265U
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.
Extremely responsive for daily tasks, with enough E-cores to handle background downloads and syncs seamlessly.
Gaming
Iris Xe 80EU handles esports titles well but struggles with demanding AAA games.
Can handle esports titles at 1080p medium settings, but thermal limits in thin laptops will cause throttling.
Virtualization
Easily handles local development virtual machines.
Capable of light VM work for development, but limited by the 2 P-cores under heavy loads.
Efficiency
Excellent performance-per-watt, ensuring all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Excellent idle efficiency and low-power state management provide all-day battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Adequate for background blur and basic audio noise cancellation.
- No dedicated AI silicon.
- CPU and GPU handle AI inference
- No dedicated NPU
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 96EU provides decent 1080p low-setting performance
- Thermal throttling is common in thin chassis
- Not a replacement for a discrete GPU
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
- Excellent performance-per-watt ratio
- Supports a wide variety of memory standards
- High 4.8 GHz single-core boost
- 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes for fast storage
- Strong Iris Xe 96EU integrated graphics
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy multi-threaded tasks
- Soldered BGA 1744 package
- Throttles quickly under sustained 55W turbo loads
- Not suitable for high-end 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 i7-1265U
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
A slightly cheaper 15W alternative with near-identical performance.
Compare head-to-headOffers better sustained performance if you have the cooling for 28W.
Compare head-to-headBetter value for money for users who don't need maximum clock speeds.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Excellent alternative with superior battery life and integrated graphics.
- Intel Core i7-1365UAlt
The 13th Gen successor with slightly better clock speeds and efficiency.
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 reviewA highly efficient 15W processor that delivers excellent everyday responsiveness and battery life, making it a staple for premium ultrabooks.
Best for: Purchasing a premium ultrabook where battery life and daily responsiveness are the main goals.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1240P or Intel Core i7-1265U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1240P comes out ahead with a score of 8.7/10. 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 i7-1265U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-1265U leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i5-1240P and Intel Core i7-1265U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1240P has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1240P (28 W), Intel Core i7-1265U (55 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1240P and Intel Core i7-1265U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1744 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1240P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1240P (12 cores), Intel Core i7-1265U (10 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-1265U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-1265U (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.