Intel Core i5-1240U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 115U Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U and the Intel Core i5-1240U are two mobile processors that, on paper, present a fascinating generational clash. The Ultra 5 115U represents Intel’s newer Meteor Lake architecture, while the i5-1240U comes from the Alder Lake-U family. Benchmark data reveals a complex picture where the older chip wins most head-to-head tests, yet the newer part secures a decisive victory in one of the most demanding modern workloads. This analysis breaks down the numbers to determine which processor holds the edge in specific scenarios and why the architectural differences lead to such a split decision.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking data point in this comparison comes from Cinebench R23 multi-core testing. Here, the Core Ultra 5 115U scores 10855, which is a massive 37.4% ahead of the i5-1240U’s 7902. This is the single largest delta in the entire benchmark suite, and it flips the expected narrative. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, however, the i5-1240U leads with a score of 5013 against 4559, a 9.1% advantage. This inconsistency between R20 and R23 suggests the Ultra 5’s advantage is workload-specific, possibly scaling better with the longer render times of R23.

The i5-1240U’s dominance is most pronounced in Cinebench R15. It wins the multi-core test with 1242 versus 1094, an 11.9% margin, and absolutely dominates single-core with 226 versus 154, a staggering 31.9% lead. This single-core advantage carries over to the newer Cinebench R23 single-core test, though the margin shrinks dramatically to just 1.7% (1559 vs 1532). The pattern suggests that while the i5-1240U has a higher raw boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, the architectural efficiency of the Ultra 5 nearly closes the gap in the most modern test.

Across the Passmark suite, the i5-1240U takes 11 of 13 wins. The margins are generally modest, ranging from 0.8% in data compression to 15.9% in find_prime_numbers. The i5-1240U also wins integer math by 8.7% (44968 vs 41043) and physics by 8.5% (981 vs 898). The Ultra 5 115U manages to secure wins in extended instructions, scoring 8620 against 7932 for an 8.7% edge, and floating-point math, scoring 30538 against 29726 for a 2.7% advantage. Overall, the i5-1240U wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head tests, but the Ultra 5’s single 37.4% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is so substantial that it cannot be ignored.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental difference lies in their underlying architectures. The Core Ultra 5 115U is built on Meteor Lake, fabricated on Intel’s 7 nm process. The Core i5-1240U is based on Alder Lake-U, using a 10 nm process node. This node difference gives the Ultra 5 a potential efficiency and density advantage, which may explain its superior performance in the sustained multi-core workload of Cinebench R23.

Core configurations differ significantly. The Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores and 10 threads, while the i5-1240U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the Ultra 5 wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, suggesting that its individual cores are more powerful or that its thread scheduling is more effective in that specific benchmark. The i5-1240U’s higher core count likely contributes to its wins in Passmark’s integer math and physics tests.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Ultra 5 115U features a larger L1 cache at 112 KB per core and L2 at 2 MB per core, compared to 80 KB and 1.25 MB per core on the i5-1240U. However, the i5-1240U has a larger shared L3 cache at 12 MB versus 10 MB. The Ultra 5’s larger per-core caches may help its performance in floating-point and extended instruction workloads, while the i5-1240U’s larger L3 could benefit its multi-threaded Passmark results.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Ultra 5 115U supports DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i5-1240U supports both DDR4 and DDR5, though its bandwidth is not specified in the data. The integrated graphics also differ, with the Ultra 5 featuring Arc Xe-LPG 48EU and the i5-1240U using Iris Xe 80EU. The i5-1240U has a lower TDP of 9 watts versus 15 watts, suggesting it is designed for even more power-constrained environments.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-1240U consistently wins single-core benchmarks. It leads by 31.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core (226 vs 154), 9.1% in R20 (707 vs 643), and 1.7% in R23 (1559 vs 1532). Its Passmark single-thread score of 3239 is also 5.6% higher than the Ultra 5’s 3057.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 5 115U win any major benchmarks?

A: Yes, its most notable victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 10855, a 37.4% advantage over the i5-1240U’s 7902. It also wins Passmark extended instructions by 8.7% and floating-point math by 2.7%.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The i5-1240U has more cores and threads, with 10 cores and 12 threads. The Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores and 10 threads. Despite this disadvantage, the Ultra 5 wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i5-1240U has a lower TDP of 9 watts, while the Ultra 5 115U has a TDP of 15 watts. This suggests the i5-1240U is designed for more power-efficient, passively cooled or ultra-thin designs.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-1240U has a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz compared to the Ultra 5 115U’s 4.20 GHz. The base clocks are 1100 MHz for the i5-1240U and 1500 MHz for the Ultra 5.

Q: In how many total benchmarks does the i5-1240U win?

A: The i5-1240U wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Ultra 5 115U wins the remaining 3 (Cinebench R23 multi-core, Passmark extended instructions, and Passmark floating-point math).

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 115U | Intel Core i5-1240U |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 10 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1500.00 MHz | 1100.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 9 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2049 | Intel BGA 1781 |

| Architecture | Meteor Lake | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Meteor Lake | Alder Lake-U |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 112 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 10 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 (Depends on motherboard) | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 12 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4 |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG 48EU | Iris Xe 80EU |

| Release Date | 2023-12-13 | 2022-02-22 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1240U is the clear winner for tasks that rely on single-threaded performance. Its massive 31.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and its consistent wins in integer math (8.7%), physics (8.5%), and data encryption (4%) suggest it is better suited for everyday responsiveness, office productivity, and applications that are not heavily multi-threaded. The data indicates it is also the better choice for general-purpose Passmark workloads, winning the multithread test by 2.8% and random string sorting by 5.5%.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U carves out a niche in specific computationally heavy areas. Its 37.4% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a clear sign that it excels in sustained, heavily multi-threaded rendering workloads. Furthermore, its wins in extended instructions (8.7%) and floating-point math (2.7%) point toward an advantage in scientific computing, complex simulations, or financial modeling that uses these instruction sets. The Ultra 5’s larger per-core caches and newer 7 nm node likely contribute to these specialized wins.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear, if nuanced, verdict. For users prioritizing general performance, single-thread speed, and efficiency, the Intel Core i5-1240U is the better choice. Its 14 out of 17 benchmark wins, higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, and lower 9-watt TDP make it a compelling option for a wide range of mobile tasks. It is particularly strong in legacy Cinebench R15 tests, where its single-core score is 31.9% higher, and in Passmark’s integer-heavy workloads.

For users whose primary workload is modern multi-threaded rendering or floating-point-intensive computation, the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has a compelling argument. Its 37.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the single most significant performance gap in this comparison, and its wins in extended instructions and floating-point math show a specialized strength that the i5-1240U cannot match. The Ultra 5’s newer architecture and larger per-core cache make it a forward-looking option for specific professional tasks.

Ultimately, the choice depends on the workload. The i5-1240U is the versatile all-rounder, as evidenced by its higher average benchmark score of 16957 versus 16753. The Ultra 5 115U is a specialized tool, sacrificing broad wins for a decisive edge in the most demanding rendering scenarios. The benchmark results suggest that for most general users, the i5-1240U is the safer pick, while the Ultra 5 is the pick for those who know they need its specific multi-core and floating-point strengths.