CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1240U vs Intel Core i5-1250P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1240U is an ultra-low power mobile processor from the 12th Generation Alder Lake-U lineup, released in February 2022.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and browser tabs well, though burst limits are low.
12 cores handle heavy multitasking, large spreadsheets, and application switching effortlessly.
Gaming
Only suitable for 2D or very old 3D games at low resolutions.
Capable of playing esports titles and older games at 1080p using integrated graphics.
Virtualization
Can run a light VM, but heavily constrained by the 9W power limit.
Good for running a local VM or two for development purposes.
Efficiency
Exceptional efficiency, allowing for multi-day battery life in small batteries.
Excellent performance-per-watt, ensuring long battery life during mixed-use workloads.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Handles basic background blur.
- Not suited for any demanding AI workloads.
- Suitable for basic edge AI tasks and background blur features.
- Lacks dedicated AI hardware acceleration.
Content Creation
Gaming
- iGPU is capped at 900 MHz to save power.
- Best for hardware video decoding and simple 2D games.
- Not suitable for 3D gaming.
- 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
- Exceptional 9W power efficiency
- Allows for silent, fanless designs
- 10 cores for great everyday multitasking
- Supports LPDDR5 memory
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Very low boost power limit (29W)
- iGPU clocked very low (900 MHz)
- Not suitable for heavy workloads
- Soldered to the motherboard
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 i5-1240U
- AMD Ryzen 5 5425URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-1215URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1250URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
Higher base power (15W) for slightly better sustained performance.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Industry-leading efficiency and performance for fanless designs.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 5 6600UAlt
Better iGPU and higher power for standard thin-and-lights.
More threads and higher clocks if you need slightly more power.
Compare head-to-headBudget alternative for basic tasks.
Compare head-to-head
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 highly efficient 9W processor that balances 10-core multitasking with extreme battery life, perfect for the most portable form factors.
Best for: Buying an ultra-thin 2-in-1 convertible or a fanless tablet for note-taking and travel.
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 i5-1240U 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 i5-1240U or Intel Core i5-1250P?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1250P leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i5-1240U and Intel Core i5-1250P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1240U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1240U (9 W), Intel Core i5-1250P (28 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1240U and Intel Core i5-1250P use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1240U: Intel BGA 1781, Intel Core i5-1250P: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1250P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1240U (10 cores), Intel Core i5-1250P (12 cores).