Quick Verdict
A well-balanced thin-and-light processor offering excellent battery life, capable integrated graphics, and forward-looking NPU technology.
Overview
Launch
Dec 14th, 2023
Status
ActiveGeneration
Ultra 5 (Meteor Lake)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U is a highly efficient mobile processor designed for thin-and-light laptops, leveraging the innovative Meteor Lake architecture. It features a unique hybrid design comprising 2 Performance cores (Redwood Cove), 8 Efficient cores (Crestmont), and 2 Low-Power Efficient cores, totaling 12 cores and 14 threads. This configuration excels at balancing bursty workloads with background tasks, ensuring excellent battery life. Operating at a base frequency of 1.6 GHz and boosting up to 4.4 GHz, it delivers responsive everyday performance. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics with 64 Execution Units provide capable rendering for casual gaming and hardware-accelerated media. Furthermore, the dedicated NPU offering 11 TOPS enables efficient AI processing, offloading tasks from the CPU and GPU to extend battery life further during AI-enhanced workloads.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U leverages a 3D hybrid architecture with P-Cores, E-Cores, and LP E-Cores to maximize battery life. With 12 cores and 14 threads, it handles everyday multitasking efficiently. The inclusion of Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics and an 11 TOPS NPU makes it highly capable for moderate media tasks and on-device AI processing, redefining thin-and-light expectations.
Specifications
Performance
Snappy application launching and smooth multitasking for office workloads.
Can handle light virtualization tasks, though limited by core count.
Capable of running esports titles and older games at 1080p medium settings.
Exceptional power efficiency thanks to LP E-Cores and disaggregated tiles.
- •Arc Xe-LPG 64EU handles older titles well
- •Supports hardware ray tracing
- •Not suitable for AAA gaming at high settings
- •11 TOPS NPU for background AI tasks
- •Supports OpenVINO
- •Reduces CPU/GPU load during video calls
Architecture
7 nm (Intel 4 Compute Tile)
Process Node
Meteor Lake
Codename
12C / 14T
Core Config
12 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core Ultra 5 135U utilizes Intel's disaggregated Meteor Lake design, often referred to as a tile-based architecture. This approach breaks the monolithic die into specialized chiplets: the compute tile, the SOC tile, the graphics tile, and the IO tile. The compute tile is manufactured on Intel's 4 process node, housing the Redwood Cove P-Cores and Crestmont E-Cores. The SOC tile integrates the LP E-Cores, which handle ultra-low-power background tasks to maximize battery life. The graphics tile is produced by TSMC on its N5 node, featuring the Arc Xe-LPG architecture with 64 Execution Units, offering significantly improved performance over legacy Intel UHD graphics. Finally, the IO tile handles connectivity. This modular approach allows Intel to mix and match optimal manufacturing nodes for specific functions, resulting in a highly efficient and versatile mobile processor.
CPU Design
2 Redwood Cove P-Cores, 8 Crestmont E-Cores, 2 Crestmont LP E-Cores.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5X-7467.
PCIe & I/O
12 PCIe 4.0 lanes for storage and peripherals.
Overclocking
Multiplier locked.
- Disaggregated tile architecture
- Integrated NPU
- Arc Xe-LPG graphics
- LP E-Cores for standby efficiency
Key Highlights
- Excellent power efficiency
- Integrated NPU for AI tasks
- Improved Arc Xe-LPG graphics
- LP E-Cores extend standby time
- Supports fast LPDDR5X memory
- Limited PCIe lanes (12)
- No PCIe Gen 5 support on this model
- Multiplier is locked
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
History
The Core Ultra 5 135U was introduced as part of Intel's inaugural Core Ultra lineup, launching on December 14th, 2023. This release marked a pivotal moment in Intel's history, representing the debut of the Meteor Lake architecture and the company's transition to a chiplet-based design for consumer mobile processors. It also introduced the 'Core Ultra' branding, replacing the traditional 'Core i' nomenclature.
The inclusion of a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) was a direct response to the growing demand for on-device AI processing, setting the stage for the AI PC era. The 135U specifically targeted the premium thin-and-light segment, offering a balance of performance and battery life. Its launch signified Intel's commitment to regaining process leadership and innovating in power efficiency, competing directly with AMD's Ryzen 7040 series.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Disaggregated tile architecture
- Integrated NPU
- Arc Xe-LPG graphics
- LP E-Cores for standby efficiency
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
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.
Avoid if…
- You need to run AAA games at high settings
- You perform heavy 3D rendering
- You require high sustained multi-core performance
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
Meteor Lake is Intel's first consumer chiplet design.
The LP E-Cores reside on the SOC tile, not the compute tile.
It uses TSMC N6 for the SOC and IO tiles.
The graphics tile is manufactured on TSMC's N5 node.
Intel 4 is Intel's first EUV process node.
The NPU is branded as Intel AI Boost.
It supports hardware ray tracing via Arc graphics.
Total package includes four distinct tiles.
Marketed under the new 'Core Ultra' naming scheme.
Designed specifically for the thin-and-light form factor.
People Also Ask
Is the Core Ultra 5 135U good for gaming?
It is suitable for casual and older games at 1080p, but lacks the power for AAA titles at high settings.
Does the Core Ultra 5 135U have an NPU?
Yes, it includes a dedicated NPU with 11 TOPS of performance.
What is the difference between 135U and 135H?
The 135H has a higher TDP, more P-Cores, and faster graphics for sustained performance.
Can you overclock the Core Ultra 5 135U?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What architecture is the 135U based on?
It is based on the Meteor Lake architecture.
How much RAM does the 135U support?
It supports up to 96GB of DDR5 or LPDDR5X memory.
What are LP E-Cores?
Low-Power Efficient cores located on the SOC tile for handling background tasks.
Is the 135U soldered?
Yes, it uses the BGA 2049 socket and is soldered to the motherboard.
Does it support PCIe Gen 5?
No, the 135U is limited to PCIe Gen 4 lanes.
What is the max turbo frequency?
The max turbo frequency is 4.4 GHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base TDP of the Core Ultra 5 135U?
The base TDP is 15W, with a configurable turbo power up to 57W.
What graphics are integrated into the 135U?
It features Intel Arc Xe-LPG graphics with 64 Execution Units.
How many cores and threads does the 135U have?
It has 12 cores (2P+8E+2LP-E) and 14 threads.
What memory speeds are supported?
It supports DDR5-5600 and LPDDR5X-7467.
When was the Core Ultra 5 135U released?
It was released on December 14th, 2023.
Does the 135U support vPro?
Yes, this specific part supports vPro enterprise management.
What is the L3 cache size?
It has a 12 MB shared L3 cache.
What process node is used for the compute tile?
The compute tile uses Intel's 4nm process (Intel 4).
Is the 135U good for video editing?
It is decent for 1080p editing, but heavy 4K workloads will be slow.
What is the AI Boost NPU frequency?
The NPU operates at up to 1.4 GHz.