CPU Comparison
Core i5-1335U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1335U is a 10-core mobile processor tailored for mainstream ultrabooks. Featuring 2 Performance cores and 8 Efficient cores, it balances daily responsiveness with power efficiency. Operating at a 15W base TDP, it can boost up to 4.6 GHz when demanding applications require quick bursts of speed. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 80 Execution Units handles 4K video decoding and casual gaming with ease. Supporting DDR4 and DDR5 memory alongside PCIe Gen 4, the i5-1335U is a versatile engine for everyday computing, providing modern connectivity features in a thermally constrained mobile package.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Smooth performance for everyday office tasks and multitasking.
Handles everyday office tasks and multitasking smoothly without overheating.
Gaming
Suitable only for e-sports and older games at reduced settings.
Only suitable for very light or older games. Not recommended for modern AAA gaming.
Virtualization
Basic VM support, but constrained by core count and memory bandwidth.
Can run basic VMs, but the 2 P-cores limit heavy virtualization performance.
Efficiency
Exceptional efficiency, ensuring long battery life for on-the-go use.
Excellent efficiency with a 15W TDP, ensuring long battery life for ultraportables.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Relies on CPU/GPU for AI tasks
- 11 TOPS NPU is suitable for background blur and noise cancellation
- Does not meet Copilot+ PC requirements
- Handles lightweight inference tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated GPU limits gaming potential
- Requires dual-channel RAM for best iGPU results
- Not designed for AAA titles
- 64 EU graphics are adequate for 2D and indie games
- Can run older AAA titles at 720p low settings
- Not designed for gaming enthusiasts
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Great power efficiency
- Solid single-core performance
- 10-core hybrid design
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics
- DDR5 support
Cons
- Low base clock speed
- Weak for heavy gaming
- BGA soldered
- Sustained performance limited by cooling
- Not an enthusiast chip
Pros
- Excellent 15W power efficiency
- Good multitasking for everyday apps
- Quiet and cool operation
- Includes 2 LP E-cores for background tasks
- Hardware media acceleration
Cons
- Limited to 2 P-cores for heavy lifting
- Only 64 EU graphics
- 11 TOPS NPU is relatively weak
- No PCIe 5.0 support
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i5-1335U
- AMD Ryzen 5 7530URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 7640URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-1345URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1355UAlt
More EUs in the iGPU and higher clocks for better graphics.
- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Stronger integrated Radeon graphics.
More P-cores for better sustained multi-threading at the cost of battery.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Incredible battery life and passively cooled designs.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- AMD Ryzen 5 8640URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Core Ultra 5 125HAlt
A better alternative if you need more CPU and graphics performance.
An even more power-efficient option for ultra-thin laptops.
Compare head-to-head- Snapdragon X PlusAlt
An ARM-based alternative offering exceptional battery life.
Our Verdict on Each
A highly capable mobile chip for daily tasks and light workloads, offering great efficiency and adequate burst speed for typical user needs.
Best for: Purchasing a mainstream ultrabook for school or office use.
Read the full reviewA solid, efficient processor for everyday ultrabooks, offering good multitasking capabilities and decent battery life, though its NPU is modest.
Best for: Everyday ultrabook for office work and student use
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i5-1335U or Intel Core Ultra 5 125U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. 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, Core i5-1335U or Intel Core Ultra 5 125U?
For gaming, the Core i5-1335U leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Core i5-1335U and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U.
Do Core i5-1335U and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i5-1335U: Intel BGA 1744, Intel Core Ultra 5 125U: Intel BGA 2049), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has the most cores. Core counts: Core i5-1335U (10 cores), Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (12 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i5-1335U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i5-1335U (9,300), Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.