CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 7 255H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is a versatile mobile processor launched in January 2025, based on the Arrow Lake-H architecture. It is tailored for premium thin-and-light laptops and portable creators, featuring a 16-core, 16-thread hybrid design. The configuration includes 6 'Lion Cove' P-Cores, 10 'Skymont' E-Cores, and 2 Low-Power E-Cores (LP E-Cores) for maximum efficiency. Built on TSMC's 3nm process, with specific tiles utilizing N6 and N5 nodes, it achieves an excellent balance of performance and power efficiency. The processor operates at a 2.0 GHz base frequency and boosts up to 5.1 GHz. With a default TDP of 28W and a configurable turbo power up to 115W, it adapts dynamically to thermal constraints. It also features Arc Graphics 140T and a 13 TOPS NPU, delivering a combined 96 TOPS of AI performance, making it a highly capable chip for modern AI-accelerated workflows.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy application performance and strong multi-core scaling for a 28W chip.
Easily handles heavy multitasking and compilation tasks.
Gaming
Arc 140T graphics allow for respectable 1080p gaming at medium settings without a discrete GPU.
Capable of smooth 1080p gaming with the integrated Arc 140T graphics.
Virtualization
Capable of running light VMs, though limited by 16 threads.
Suitable for running local VMs, though limited by 16 threads.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency thanks to LP E-Cores and mixed TSMC nodes.
The LP E-Cores and 3nm process ensure exceptional battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- NPU provides 13 TOPS
- Arc GPU provides 74 TOPS
- Total platform AI reaches 96 TOPS
- 13 TOPS NPU handles Windows Studio Effects and basic AI tasks efficiently.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Arc 140T is a massive leap over previous iGPUs
- Can handle esports titles at high framerates
- Supports XeSS upscaling for better performance
- Arc 140T offers significantly better performance than previous gen
- Supports XeSS upscaling
- Requires dual-channel memory for best results
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Massive 96 TOPS AI performance
- Powerful Arc 140T integrated graphics
- Excellent 28W power efficiency
- Includes LP E-Cores for battery life
- 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- L3 cache reduced to 24 MB compared to HX
- Max memory limited to 64 GB
- Cannot match discrete GPU performance
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency
- Strong integrated graphics performance
- Dedicated NPU for AI tasks
- High boost clock up to 5.3 GHz
- Supports fast LPDDR5X memory
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading
- Limited PCIe 5.0 lanes (8)
- Locked multiplier
- BGA socket prevents upgrades
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M4Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Mobile
Next generation with better AI performance and graphics.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Excellent alternative for macOS users seeking efficiency.
Compare head-to-head Budget-friendly alternative with similar architecture.
Compare head-to-head- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusAlt
Alternative for ARM-based efficiency and battery life.
Intel Core Ultra 7 265H
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HSRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 8845HSRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M4 ProRival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 285HRival
Mobile
Better budget option for similar efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 8840UAlt
Lower power consumption for thin-and-lights.
Desktop equivalent with more PCIe lanes.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Better battery life in macOS ecosystem.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An exceptionally well-rounded mobile CPU that perfectly balances power, efficiency, and integrated graphics capabilities for premium laptops.
Best for: Premium ultrabook or thin-and-light creator laptop
Read the full reviewA highly efficient mobile chip that balances raw compute power with excellent integrated graphics and AI capabilities, making it ideal for on-the-go professionals.
Best for: Premium thin-and-light laptop for mixed productivity and gaming
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 7 255H or Intel Core Ultra 7 265H?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. 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 Ultra 7 255H or Intel Core Ultra 7 265H?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 7 265H.
Do Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 7 265H 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 7 265H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (0), Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (18,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.