CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1240U vs Intel Core i7-1250U
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.
Snappy for everyday office tasks and web browsing, but struggles under sustained heavy multi-threaded loads.
Gaming
Only suitable for 2D or very old 3D games at low resolutions.
Severely limited by the 9W TDP and potential thermal throttling in fanless designs. Only suitable for very light 2D games.
Virtualization
Can run a light VM, but heavily constrained by the 9W power limit.
Not recommended for virtual machines due to low core count and strict power limits.
Efficiency
Exceptional efficiency, allowing for multi-day battery life in small batteries.
Exceptional efficiency, offering some of the best battery life figures in the 12th Gen lineup.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Handles basic background blur.
- Not suited for any demanding AI workloads.
- Low power limits restrict AI inference capabilities
- No dedicated NPU
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.
- 9W TDP heavily restricts GPU boost duration
- Only playable for older or 2D indie games
- Not suitable for modern 3D gaming
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
- Extremely low 9W base power consumption
- Excellent for fanless and silent designs
- Supports fast LPDDR5 memory
- Decent single-core burst performance
- Strong integrated graphics for its power class
Cons
- Severely limited multi-core performance
- Low PL2 ceiling (29W) limits burst duration
- Only 2 P-cores for heavy threads
- Uses BGA 1781 socket, fully soldered
- Not suitable for heavy workloads
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 i7-1250U
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
Offers a higher 15W TDP for better sustained performance in slightly thicker laptops.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-1230UAlt
A cheaper alternative with similar 9W efficiency and slightly lower clocks.
Another 9W option with similar specs for ultra-portables.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 7640UAlt
Excellent efficiency with better integrated graphics.
- Apple M2 MacBook AirAlt
Superior performance-per-watt in a fanless design.
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 reviewA highly efficient 9W chip that brings desktop-class hybrid architecture to the thinnest form factors, though multi-core performance is limited by power constraints.
Best for: Buying an ultra-thin tablet or fanless laptop where battery life is the absolute top priority.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1240U or Intel Core i7-1250U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1240U comes out ahead with a score of 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 i7-1250U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-1250U leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-1240U and Intel Core i7-1250U.
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 i7-1250U (29 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1240U and Intel Core i7-1250U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1781 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-1250U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-1250U (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.