CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-1250U vs Intel Core i7-1255U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-1250U is an ultra-low power 9W mobile processor designed for fanless thin-and-light laptops and tablets, featuring a 10-core hybrid architecture.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy for everyday office tasks and web browsing, but struggles under sustained heavy multi-threaded loads.
Highly responsive for daily office tasks, with plenty of E-cores to keep background apps from slowing down the system.
Gaming
Severely limited by the 9W TDP and potential thermal throttling in fanless designs. Only suitable for very light 2D games.
Can run esports games like League of Legends smoothly, but struggles with modern AAA titles on integrated graphics.
Virtualization
Not recommended for virtual machines due to low core count and strict power limits.
Good for light Docker containers, but 2 P-cores limit performance when running full Windows VMs.
Efficiency
Exceptional efficiency, offering some of the best battery life figures in the 12th Gen lineup.
Excellent power management ensures long battery life during typical office use.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Low power limits restrict AI inference capabilities
- No dedicated NPU
- No NPU
- AI workloads handled by CPU/GPU
Content Creation
Gaming
- 9W TDP heavily restricts GPU boost duration
- Only playable for older or 2D indie games
- Not suitable for modern 3D gaming
- Iris Xe 96EU handles 1080p low settings for older games
- Throttles under sustained 3D loads
- Best paired with a discrete GPU for serious gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Excellent performance-per-watt
- Very flexible memory support
- Good single-core burst performance
- Plenty of PCIe lanes for an ultrabook chip
- Reliable Iris Xe integrated graphics
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy multi-threading
- Soldered to the motherboard
- Can get warm during 55W turbo bursts
- Not suitable for gaming without a discrete GPU
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i7-1255U
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1185G7Rival
Mobile
Offers slightly higher clock speeds (4.8 GHz) for marginally better burst performance.
Compare head-to-headA more cost-effective alternative that offers very similar everyday performance.
Compare head-to-headBetter sustained performance if you can accommodate the 28W TDP.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Strong alternative with better integrated graphics efficiency.
- Intel Core i7-1355UAlt
The 13th Gen successor with refined efficiency and clock speeds.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA highly efficient and popular 15W processor that powers a vast majority of mid-range premium ultrabooks, offering great daily responsiveness.
Best for: Buying a standard ultrabook for school or office work where you need strong battery life and snappy daily performance.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-1250U or Intel Core i7-1255U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-1255U comes out ahead with a score of 7.9/10. 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 i7-1250U or Intel Core i7-1255U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-1255U leads with a gaming performance score of 64/100 among Intel Core i7-1250U and Intel Core i7-1255U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-1250U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-1250U (29 W), Intel Core i7-1255U (55 W).
Do Intel Core i7-1250U and Intel Core i7-1255U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-1250U: Intel BGA 1781, Intel Core i7-1255U: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.