CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-1255U vs Intel Core i7-1265U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-1255U is a 15W mobile processor featuring a 10-core hybrid design, tailored for standard ultrabooks balancing performance and battery life.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Highly responsive for daily office tasks, with plenty of E-cores to keep background apps from slowing down the system.
Extremely responsive for daily tasks, with enough E-cores to handle background downloads and syncs seamlessly.
Gaming
Can run esports games like League of Legends smoothly, but struggles with modern AAA titles on integrated graphics.
Can handle esports titles at 1080p medium settings, but thermal limits in thin laptops will cause throttling.
Virtualization
Good for light Docker containers, but 2 P-cores limit performance when running full Windows VMs.
Capable of light VM work for development, but limited by the 2 P-cores under heavy loads.
Efficiency
Excellent power management ensures long battery life during typical office use.
Excellent idle efficiency and low-power state management provide all-day battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No NPU
- AI workloads handled by CPU/GPU
- CPU and GPU handle AI inference
- No dedicated NPU
Content Creation
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
- Iris Xe 96EU provides decent 1080p low-setting performance
- Thermal throttling is common in thin chassis
- Not a replacement for a discrete GPU
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Excellent performance-per-watt ratio
- Supports a wide variety of memory standards
- High 4.8 GHz single-core boost
- 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes for fast storage
- Strong Iris Xe 96EU integrated graphics
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy multi-threaded tasks
- Soldered BGA 1744 package
- Throttles quickly under sustained 55W turbo loads
- Not suitable for high-end gaming
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i7-1265U
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
A slightly cheaper 15W alternative with near-identical performance.
Compare head-to-headOffers better sustained performance if you have the cooling for 28W.
Compare head-to-headBetter value for money for users who don't need maximum clock speeds.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Excellent alternative with superior battery life and integrated graphics.
- Intel Core i7-1365UAlt
The 13th Gen successor with slightly better clock speeds and efficiency.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA highly efficient 15W processor that delivers excellent everyday responsiveness and battery life, making it a staple for premium ultrabooks.
Best for: Purchasing a premium ultrabook where battery life and daily responsiveness are the main goals.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-1255U or Intel Core i7-1265U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-1265U 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 i7-1255U or Intel Core i7-1265U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-1265U leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i7-1255U and Intel Core i7-1265U.
Do Intel Core i7-1255U and Intel Core i7-1265U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1744 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.