CPU Comparison

Intel Core i5-1250P vs Intel Core i7-11700T

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1250P is a mid-range mobile processor belonging to the 12th Generation Alder Lake-P family, released in February 2022.

Top pick
Intel · Core i5
Intel Core i5-1250P
12C / 16T4.4 GHz28 W
8.8
Full review
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-11700T
8C / 16T4.6 GHz35 W
7
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Desktop
Segment
Thin & Light Performance
Desktop
Generation
12th Gen
11th Generation
Launched
2022
2021
Status
Active
End-of-life
Codename
Alder Lake-P
Rocket Lake
Series
Core i5
Core i7
Family
Alder Lake-P
Rocket Lake-S
Predecessor
Intel Core i5-1135G7
Intel Core i7-10700T
Successor
Intel Core i5-1340P
Intel Core i7-12700T

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
12
8
Threads
16
16
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
1.4 GHz
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.6 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
12 MB
16 MB
TDP
28 W
35 W
Architecture
Architecture
Alder Lake-P
Rocket Lake
Process Node
10 nm
14nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4x, LPDDR5
DDR4
Memory Speed
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR4x-4267, LPDDR5-5200
3200 MT/s
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
64 GB
128 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1744
LGA 1200
PCIe Version
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
PCIe Lanes
20
20
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i5-1250PBest90

12 cores handle heavy multitasking, large spreadsheets, and application switching effortlessly.

Intel Core i7-11700T75

Handles office tasks and moderate compilation well, but slows down in sustained all-core workloads.

Gaming

Intel Core i5-1250PBest65

Capable of playing esports titles and older games at 1080p using integrated graphics.

Intel Core i7-11700T60

The low base clock can cause stuttering in CPU-heavy games unless the turbo is aggressively sustained.

Virtualization

Intel Core i5-1250PBest75

Good for running a local VM or two for development purposes.

Intel Core i7-11700T65

8 cores are nice, but power limits throttle heavy VM deployments.

Efficiency

Intel Core i5-1250P85

Excellent performance-per-watt, ensuring long battery life during mixed-use workloads.

Intel Core i7-11700TBest95

Outstanding efficiency, drawing minimal power at idle and under load.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i5-1250PModerate
  • Suitable for basic edge AI tasks and background blur features.
  • Lacks dedicated AI hardware acceleration.
Intel Core i7-11700TLow
  • Not suitable for heavy AI workloads due to power throttling

Content Creation

Intel Core i5-1250PVery Good
Adobe PhotoshopLightroomPremiere Pro (1080p)Illustrator
Intel Core i7-11700TGood
Light PhotoshopSpreadsheet Macros4K Video Playback

Gaming

Intel Core i5-1250PModerate
  • 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.
Intel Core i7-11700TModerate
  • Low base clock affects minimum FPS
  • Fine for casual or older games
  • Pair with a low-power GPU for best results

Industry Impact

Gaming
Moderate
Low
Workstations
Low
Low
Content Creation
High
Low
Virtualization
Moderate
Low

Best CPU by Use Case

Office Productivity
Excellent
Excellent
Code Compilation
Very Good
Photo Editing
Very Good
Light 1080p Gaming
Good
4K Media Playback
Excellent
Compact Builds
Excellent
Gaming
Moderate

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Targeted
Targeted
Developers
Targeted
Targeted
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students
Targeted
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i5-1250P

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
Intel Core i7-11700T

Pros

  • Extremely low 35W TDP
  • Includes 8 cores and 16 threads
  • Built-in UHD 750 graphics
  • Supports PCIe 4.0

Cons

  • Very low base clock of 1.4 GHz
  • End-of-life platform
  • Overpriced compared to 65W variants
  • Throttles quickly under sustained load

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i5-1250P

Intel Core i7-11700T

Our Verdict on Each

An 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 review

Great for specialized SFF builds needing 8 cores at 35W, but the low base clock heavily limits out-of-the-box performance compared to 65W parts.

Best for: Building a PC inside a severely thermally constrained Mini-ITX case.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i5-1250P or Intel Core i7-11700T?

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 i5-1250P or Intel Core i7-11700T?

For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1250P leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i5-1250P and Intel Core i7-11700T.

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i5-1250P has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1250P (28 W), Intel Core i7-11700T (35 W).

Do Intel Core i5-1250P and Intel Core i7-11700T use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1250P: Intel BGA 1744, Intel Core i7-11700T: LGA 1200), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which has more cores?

The Intel Core i5-1250P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1250P (12 cores), Intel Core i7-11700T (8 cores).