CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-1255U vs Intel Core i7-1270P
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.
The extra 100 MHz on the P-cores provides a slight edge in single-threaded office tasks.
Gaming
Can run esports games like League of Legends smoothly, but struggles with modern AAA titles on integrated graphics.
Performs marginally better than the 1260P in CPU-bound games, but still limited by integrated graphics for AAA titles.
Virtualization
Good for light Docker containers, but 2 P-cores limit performance when running full Windows VMs.
Easily handles local Docker containers and virtual machines for development.
Efficiency
Excellent power management ensures long battery life during typical office use.
Efficiency remains strong, though the higher clocks can draw slightly more power under peak loads.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No NPU
- AI workloads handled by CPU/GPU
- No dedicated NPU
- Inference relies on CPU and integrated GPU
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 handles 1080p low settings well
- Beneficial for CPU-bound esports titles
- Best paired with a discrete GPU for serious gaming
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
- High 4.8 GHz turbo boost for single-threaded tasks
- 12 cores and 16 threads for heavy multitasking
- Supports fast DDR5 memory
- Excellent Iris Xe 96EU integrated graphics
- Strong sustained performance at 28W
Cons
- Only a marginal performance increase over the 1260P
- Soldered BGA package prevents upgrades
- 28W TDP can drain battery quickly under load
- Cannot be manually overclocked
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 i7-1270P
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5825URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1 ProRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800HSRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-12900HKRival
Mobile
Offers nearly identical performance for a lower price in most laptops.
Compare head-to-headA 15W alternative for significantly better battery life.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Superior integrated graphics and efficiency.
A budget-friendly alternative with the same core count.
Compare head-to-headThe 13th gen successor with better performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head
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 slight step up from the 1260P, offering faster clock speeds that make it ideal for users needing top-tier single-thread performance in a portable form factor.
Best for: Buying a high-end business ultrabook that requires vPro and maximum single-core speed.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-1255U or Intel Core i7-1270P?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-1270P comes out ahead with a score of 8.4/10. 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 i7-1270P?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-1270P leads with a gaming performance score of 76/100 among Intel Core i7-1255U and Intel Core i7-1270P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-1255U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-1255U (55 W), Intel Core i7-1270P (64 W).
Do Intel Core i7-1255U and Intel Core i7-1270P use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1744 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-1270P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-1255U (10 cores), Intel Core i7-1270P (12 cores).