CPU Comparison
Core i5-1345U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1345U is a 10-core mobile processor from the Raptor Lake family, featuring a hybrid architecture of 2 Performance cores and 8 Efficient cores. Designed for thin and light laptops, it operates at a base power of 15W, ensuring excellent battery life while delivering burst performance up to 4.7 GHz. It includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 80 Execution Units, capable of handling everyday multimedia and light gaming tasks. With support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, as well as PCIe Gen 4, this chip provides versatile connectivity for modern ultraportable systems, making it an efficient choice for business and everyday computing.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy for everyday office apps, web, and light coding.
Handles everyday office tasks and multitasking smoothly without overheating.
Gaming
Can run older or e-sports titles at low settings via Iris Xe, but not suited for modern AAA games.
Only suitable for very light or older games. Not recommended for modern AAA gaming.
Virtualization
Can handle light VMs for development, but limited by memory and core allocation.
Can run basic VMs, but the 2 P-cores limit heavy virtualization performance.
Efficiency
Outstanding power efficiency for all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Excellent efficiency with a 15W TDP, ensuring long battery life for ultraportables.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated NPU
- Basic AI inferencing on CPU/GPU
- 11 TOPS NPU is suitable for background blur and noise cancellation
- Does not meet Copilot+ PC requirements
- Handles lightweight inference tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Depends heavily on RAM configuration
- Suitable for e-sports at 1080p
- Not a replacement for discrete GPU
- 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
- 10-core hybrid design
- Low 15W base power
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics
- DDR5 support
- Good single-core boost
Cons
- Limited sustained performance
- Not for gaming
- BGA socket limits upgrades
- Only 8 PCIe 4.0 lanes
- E-cores lack AVX-512
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 i5-1345U
- AMD Ryzen 5 7530URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 7535URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-1335URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1355UAlt
Better graphics and higher clocks for slightly more money.
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730UAlt
Strong multi-core performance in the same power envelope.
- Apple MacBook Air M1Alt
Better efficiency and integrated graphics if not tied to Windows.
- AMD Ryzen 5 7640UAlt
Newer Zen 4 architecture with RDNA 3 graphics.
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 solid 13th-gen mobile chip offering great battery life and enough burst speed for daily tasks, though not meant for heavy workloads.
Best for: Buying a thin-and-light laptop for school or office work.
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 i5-1345U 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 i5-1345U or Intel Core Ultra 5 125U?
For gaming, the Core i5-1345U leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Core i5-1345U and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U.
Do Core i5-1345U and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i5-1345U: 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 i5-1345U (10 cores), Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (12 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i5-1345U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i5-1345U (9,600), Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.