Intel Core i5-1235U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 134U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a split decision between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U wins 6 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-1235U takes 11. However, the margins tell a more complex story than the raw win count suggests.

The most dramatic victory belongs to the Core Ultra 5 134U in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 221 against the i5-1235U's 138, a 60.1% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and demonstrates a clear single-threaded strength in legacy rendering workloads. The Core Ultra also leads in Cinebench R20 single-core by 15% (666 vs 579) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 14.3% (1576 vs 1379). Across all three Cinebench single-core tests, the pattern is consistent: the Core Ultra 5 134U holds a substantial edge.

Multi-core Cinebench results are contradictory across versions. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 134U wins with 4725 versus 4105, a 15.1% lead. But in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-1235U turns the tables decisively, scoring 9774 against 5572, a 43% advantage. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test also favors the i5-1235U, with 985 versus 894, a 9.2% gap. This reversal between R20 and R23 is notable, as it suggests workload duration or memory behavior influences the outcome significantly.

In PassMark tests, the i5-1235U dominates most categories. The largest gap is in find prime numbers, where the i5-1235U scores 954 versus just 56 for the Core Ultra, a 94.1% deficit for the newer chip. Floating point math also favors the i5-1235U by 25.1% (43303 vs 32425). Data compression goes to the i5-1235U by 15.4% (147450 vs 124771), data encryption by 13.6% (9347 vs 8077), and extended instructions by 14.4% (8176 vs 7002). Random string sorting favors the i5-1235U by 19.6% (17050 vs 13702).

The Core Ultra 5 134U wins PassMark integer math by 5.7% (51306 vs 48553) and physics by a strong 28.7% (883 vs 686). The multi-thread score is close, with the i5-1235U ahead by only 3.6% (12923 vs 12464). Single-thread PassMark results are nearly identical, with the i5-1235U ahead by 2.8% (3151 vs 3063).

Overall average benchmark scores place the i5-1235U at 16770 versus 15910 for the Core Ultra, a difference of about 5.4%. Both processors sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra include the AMD Ryzen 5 40 (0.2% higher average score), AMD EPYC 9334 (0.2% lower), AMD EPYC 75F3 (0.3% higher), and AMD EPYC 9354P (0.5% higher). For the i5-1235U, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U (0.1% higher), AMD Ryzen 3 7335U (0.3% lower), Intel Core i3-12100E (0.5% lower), and AMD Ryzen 3 8440U (0.6% higher).

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 134U is the clear choice for single-threaded rendering performance. Its Cinebench single-core wins across R15, R20, and R23 are consistent and substantial, indicating a strong architectural advantage for lightly threaded workloads. The 60.1% lead in R15 single-core is particularly striking and suggests the Core Ultra handles legacy single-threaded tasks with significantly more efficiency.

The Core Ultra also wins in PassMark physics (28.7% ahead) and integer math (5.7% ahead). These results point to strengths in calculation-heavy workloads that rely on integer operations and physics simulation. The Cinebench R20 multi-core win (15.1%) adds another dimension, though it contradicts the R23 multi-core result, so this advantage should be interpreted cautiously.

The i5-1235U is the better all-round performer in most multi-threaded and data-intensive tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 43% higher, a massive margin that cannot be ignored. It also wins data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, find prime numbers, and random string sorting. The PassMark multi-thread score favors the i5-1235U modestly at 3.6%, reinforcing its general multi-threaded competence.

For users prioritizing single-threaded application responsiveness and physics-heavy workloads, the Core Ultra 5 134U has the edge. For those running data compression, encryption, floating point math, or sustained multi-core rendering, the i5-1235U delivers stronger results. The near-tie in PassMark single-thread (2.8% apart) means everyday single-threaded tasks will feel similar between the two.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U scores 1576 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 14.3% higher than the i5-1235U's 1379.

Q: How large is the multi-core gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The i5-1235U leads by 43% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 9774 versus 5572 for the Core Ultra 5 134U.

Q: Which chip performs better in PassMark integer math?

A: The Core Ultra 5 134U wins with a score of 51306, which is 5.7% higher than the i5-1235U's 48553.

Q: Are the average benchmark scores similar?

A: The i5-1235U has a higher average benchmark score of 16770, compared to 15910 for the Core Ultra 5 134U. Both sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What is the biggest single-test margin between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i5-1235U scores 954 versus 56 for the Core Ultra, a 94.1% difference.

Q: How do they compare in PassMark physics?

A: The Core Ultra 5 134U wins PassMark physics by 28.7%, scoring 883 versus 686 for the i5-1235U.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core configuration, clock speeds, thermal design, socket, process node, cache layout, memory support, PCIe lanes, integrated graphics, release date, and launch MSRP.

The Core Ultra 5 134U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the i5-1235U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: the Core Ultra runs at 700 MHz base, while the i5-1235U has a 1300 MHz base clock. Both share the same 4.40 GHz boost clock. The Core Ultra has a 9 W TDP, while the i5-1235U has a 15 W TDP.

The socket is another differentiator: the Core Ultra uses Intel BGA 2551, while the i5-1235U uses Intel BGA 1744. The process node favors the Core Ultra at 7 nm, versus 10 nm for the i5-1235U. Cache structures also differ: the Core Ultra has 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, while the i5-1235U has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. Both share 12 MB of L3 cache.

Memory support differs: the Core Ultra supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard, while the i5-1235U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. PCIe configurations differ as well: the Core Ultra has Gen 4 with 8 lanes, while the i5-1235U has Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the Core Ultra features Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, while the i5-1235U has Iris Xe 80EU. The Core Ultra launched on 2023-12-13 with a launch MSRP of $332, while the i5-1235U launched on 2022-02-22 with no launch MSRP recorded. Both are mobile segments, active in production, and have locked multipliers.

Architecture Differences

The Core Ultra 5 134U is built on the Meteor Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 1, while the i5-1235U uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-U. The generation labels reflect this: the Core Ultra is "Ultra 5 (Meteor Lake)" and the i5-1235U is "Core i5 (Alder Lake-U)".

The process node difference is significant: the Core Ultra uses Intel's 7 nm process, while the i5-1235U uses the 10 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel. The Core Ultra's Meteor Lake architecture pairs with a 12-core, 14-thread layout, whereas Alder Lake-U in the i5-1235U provides 10 cores and 12 threads. The Core Ultra has larger per-core caches (112 KB L1, 2 MB L2) compared to the i5-1235U (80 KB L1, 1.25 MB L2), but both share 12 MB of L3 cache.

The integrated graphics differ architecturally: the Core Ultra uses Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, while the i5-1235U uses Iris Xe 80EU. The Core Ultra supports DDR5 memory only, while the i5-1235U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. PCIe lane counts differ, with the i5-1235U offering 20 Gen 4 lanes versus 8 for the Core Ultra. The Core Ultra's 9 W TDP versus the i5-1235U's 15 W TDP reflects a power efficiency focus on the newer part, though the base clock is also lower at 700 MHz versus 1300 MHz.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-1235U is the stronger overall performer, with an average benchmark score of 16770 versus 15910 for the Core Ultra 5 134U. It wins 11 of 17 head-to-head tests, including the decisive Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 43%. Users running data compression, encryption, floating point math, or sustained multi-core rendering should prefer the i5-1235U, as its PassMark wins in these categories are consistent and often large.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U is the better choice for single-threaded rendering and physics workloads. Its Cinebench single-core wins across R15, R20, and R23, including the 60.1% margin in R15, make it the superior option for lightly threaded tasks. The PassMark physics win by 28.7% and integer math win by 5.7% add to its case. The lower 9 W TDP also suggests a power efficiency advantage, though the recorded benchmarks do not directly measure power consumption.

For buyers who prioritize raw multi-threaded throughput and data-heavy workloads, the i5-1235U is the safer pick. For those who value single-threaded responsiveness and physics simulation, the Core Ultra 5 134U offers clear advantages. The near-tie in PassMark single-thread (2.8% apart) means everyday usage will feel comparable, but the divergent strengths in Cinebench multi-core and PassMark data tasks should guide the final decision.