CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 125U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is a power-efficient mobile processor launched in December 2023 under the Meteor Lake architecture. Designed specifically for thin-and-light laptops where battery longevity is the primary concern, it operates at a low base TDP of 15W. The processor features a 12-core hybrid layout, comprising 2 P-cores, 8 E-cores, and 2 Low-Power E-cores (LP E-cores), resulting in 14 processing threads. Its base clock of 1.3 GHz is deliberately conservative, but it can dynamically boost up to 4.3 GHz when demanding tasks arise. Built using a combination of Intel’s 7nm process for the compute tile and TSMC’s nodes for the SOC and graphics tiles, it offers a balanced efficiency profile. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics with 64 Execution Units handle everyday visual workloads, while an 11 TOPS NPU provides basic AI acceleration. This chip is tailored for everyday productivity, web browsing, and media consumption rather than heavy content creation.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles everyday office tasks and multitasking smoothly without overheating.
Snappy application launching and smooth multitasking for office workloads.
Gaming
Only suitable for very light or older games. Not recommended for modern AAA gaming.
Capable of running esports titles and older games at 1080p medium settings.
Virtualization
Can run basic VMs, but the 2 P-cores limit heavy virtualization performance.
Can handle light virtualization tasks, though limited by core count.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency with a 15W TDP, ensuring long battery life for ultraportables.
Exceptional power efficiency thanks to LP E-Cores and disaggregated tiles.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 11 TOPS NPU is suitable for background blur and noise cancellation
- Does not meet Copilot+ PC requirements
- Handles lightweight inference tasks
- 11 TOPS NPU for background AI tasks
- Supports OpenVINO
- Reduces CPU/GPU load during video calls
Content Creation
Gaming
- 64 EU graphics are adequate for 2D and indie games
- Can run older AAA titles at 720p low settings
- Not designed for gaming enthusiasts
- Arc Xe-LPG 64EU handles older titles well
- Supports hardware ray tracing
- Not suitable for AAA gaming at high settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency
- Integrated NPU for AI tasks
- Improved Arc Xe-LPG graphics
- LP E-Cores extend standby time
- Supports fast LPDDR5X memory
Cons
- Limited PCIe lanes (12)
- No PCIe Gen 5 support on this model
- Multiplier is locked
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core Ultra 5 135U
- AMD Ryzen 5 8640URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840URival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Mobile
Slightly lower clocks for better battery life.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 7640UAlt
Strong competitor with RDNA 3 graphics.
- Intel Core i5-1340PAlt
Older architecture but higher base wattage.
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840UAlt
Better dedicated AI engine performance.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA well-balanced thin-and-light processor offering excellent battery life, capable integrated graphics, and forward-looking NPU technology.
Best for: The Core Ultra 5 135U is an excellent choice for users prioritizing portability and battery life without sacrificing everyday responsiveness. If you are in the market for a thin-and-light laptop for productivity, web browsing, and media consumption, this processor offers a compelling balance. The inclusion of an NPU ensures future-proofing for upcoming Windows AI features. However, if your workflow involves heavy sustained multi-threaded rendering or high-end gaming, you should look for laptops equipped with higher-wattage H-series processors or dedicated GPUs. For the everyday professional and student, the 135U provides more than enough performance while ensuring all-day battery life.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 5 125U or Intel Core Ultra 5 135U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. 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 Ultra 5 125U or Intel Core Ultra 5 135U?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core Ultra 5 125U and Intel Core Ultra 5 135U.
Do Intel Core Ultra 5 125U and Intel Core Ultra 5 135U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 2049 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.