Quick Verdict
An exceptionally well-rounded mobile CPU that perfectly balances power, efficiency, and integrated graphics capabilities for premium laptops.
Overview
Launch
2025
Status
ActiveGeneration
Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-H)
Market
Mobile
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.
Intel's Core Ultra 7 255H brings the Arrow Lake architecture to the 28W mobile segment. With 6 P-Cores, 10 E-Cores, and 2 LP E-Cores, it maximizes efficiency. The inclusion of Arc Graphics 140T provides 74 TOPS of AI performance alone, pushing the platform total to 96 TOPS.
It's a superb choice for creators and professionals needing strong performance in a portable chassis.
Specifications
Performance
Snappy application performance and strong multi-core scaling for a 28W chip.
Capable of running light VMs, though limited by 16 threads.
Arc 140T graphics allow for respectable 1080p gaming at medium settings without a discrete GPU.
Excellent efficiency thanks to LP E-Cores and mixed TSMC nodes.
- •Arc 140T is a massive leap over previous iGPUs
- •Can handle esports titles at high framerates
- •Supports XeSS upscaling for better performance
- •NPU provides 13 TOPS
- •Arc GPU provides 74 TOPS
- •Total platform AI reaches 96 TOPS
Architecture
3 nm
Process Node
Arrow Lake-H
Codename
16C / 16T
Core Config
24 MB
L3 Cache
28 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Arrow Lake-H architecture in the 255H is a masterclass in heterogeneous integration, combining multiple tiles optimized for specific tasks. The 'Lion Cove' P-Cores handle demanding workloads, while the 'Skymont' E-Cores manage multi-threaded background tasks. The inclusion of 2 LP E-Cores is a critical architectural feature, allowing the system to offload ultra-low-power tasks, significantly extending battery life during basic usage. The compute tile is built on TSMC's 3nm process, while the SoC and I/O tiles use N6, and the graphics tile uses N5. This mixed-node approach optimizes cost and efficiency. Memory support is extensive, accommodating DDR5-6400 and LPDDR5X-8400 in dual-channel configurations. The integrated Arc Graphics 140T is a significant upgrade, offering 74 TOPS of AI performance alone. With 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and ECC memory support, the 255H bridges the gap between consumer ultraportables and professional mobile workstations.
CPU Design
6x Lion Cove P-Cores, 10x Skymont E-Cores, and 2x LP E-Cores.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR5-6400 or LPDDR5X-8400.
PCIe & I/O
20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and 4 Gen 4 lanes.
Overclocking
Multiplier locked.
- Stronger Arc 140T integrated graphics
- More efficient Skymont E-Cores
- Increased platform AI TOPS (96 vs 34)
Key Highlights
- 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
- Locked multiplier
- L3 cache reduced to 24 MB compared to HX
- Max memory limited to 64 GB
- Cannot match discrete GPU performance
History
The Core Ultra 7 255H was unveiled in early 2025 as part of Intel's broader Arrow Lake mobile rollout. Following the Meteor Lake generation, which introduced the tile-based design and integrated NPU, Arrow Lake-H sought to refine the formula with significantly improved P-Core and E-Core architectures. The 255H specifically succeeded the Core Ultra 7 155H, offering higher clock speeds, more efficient E-Cores, and a vastly more powerful integrated GPU in the form of the Arc Graphics 140T.
Historically, Intel's H-series 28W chips have been the sweet spot for premium laptops, offering a blend of performance and portability. The 255H continued this legacy, pushing the boundaries of integrated graphics and AI performance. Its release was crucial for Intel to compete with AMD's Ryzen 8000 series in the thin-and-light segment, proving that Intel could deliver competitive performance-per-watt using a disaggregated, multi-node manufacturing strategy.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Stronger Arc 140T integrated graphics
- More efficient Skymont E-Cores
- Increased platform AI TOPS (96 vs 34)
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Premium ultrabook or thin-and-light creator laptop
Avoid if…
- You need a desktop replacement for heavy 3D rendering
- You want to overclock your CPU
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
Default TDP of 28W, configurable up to 45W.
Features 2 LP E-Cores for extreme efficiency.
Integrated Arc Graphics 140T provides 74 TOPS.
Supports ultra-fast LPDDR5X-8400 memory.
Total platform AI performance reaches 96 TOPS.
Manufactured using mixed TSMC nodes (3nm, N6, N5).
Supports ECC memory.
Boosts up to 5.1 GHz.
6 P-Cores and 10 E-Cores.
Uses A1 Stepping silicon.
People Also Ask
What is the TDP of the Core Ultra 7 255H?
The default TDP is 28W, configurable up to 45W (CTDP).
What graphics are in the Core Ultra 7 255H?
It features Intel Arc Graphics 140T.
Does the 255H have an NPU?
Yes, it features an NPU with 13 TOPS of performance.
How much AI performance does the 255H have?
It offers a combined 96 TOPS (9 CPU, 74 GPU, 13 NPU).
What memory types does the 255H support?
It supports DDR5-6400 and LPDDR5X-8400.
Does the 255H have LP E-Cores?
Yes, it includes 2 Low-Power E-Cores for background efficiency.
What socket does the 255H use?
It uses the Intel BGA 2049 socket.
Is the 255H unlocked?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the max turbo frequency of the 255H?
The max turbo frequency is 5.1 GHz.
Does the 255H support ECC memory?
Yes, it supports ECC memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I overclock the Core Ultra 7 255H?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the base clock of the 255H?
The base clock is 2.0 GHz.
How much L3 cache does the 255H have?
It has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.
What is the max memory capacity?
It supports up to 64 GB of memory.
What core architectures are used in the 255H?
It uses Lion Cove P-Cores and Skymont E-Cores.
What PCIe version does the 255H support?
It supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes.
What is the TJMax of the Core Ultra 7 255H?
The maximum operating temperature is 110°C.
Is the 255H good for gaming?
Yes, the Arc 140T graphics make it quite capable for 1080p gaming.
When was the Core Ultra 7 255H released?
It was released on January 13th, 2025.
Does it feature Hyper-Threading?
No, it relies on 16 physical cores (6P+10E).