Intel Core i7-1270P vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135U Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U and Intel Core i7-1270P are two mobile processors that, despite similar core counts, deliver distinctly different performance profiles. The benchmark data shows the Ultra 5 135U winning 10 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the i7-1270P takes 7 wins, yet the margins vary dramatically by workload. The Ultra 5 135U posts an average benchmark score of 22618, placing it in the 76th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-1270P averages 22502, also in the 76th percentile. These two processors are near-neighbors in the rankings: the Ultra 5 135U is 0.5% ahead of the i7-1270P, and the i7-1270P is 0.5% behind the Ultra 5 135U, according to the nearestRivals data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U has an average benchmark score of 22618, while the Intel Core i7-1270P scores 22502. The Ultra 5 135U is 0.5% ahead of the i7-1270P in this metric.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-1270P wins decisively in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 13938 versus the Ultra 5 135U's 9315. This represents a 33.2% advantage for the i7-1270P.

Q: Which processor wins in PassMark integer math?

A: The Intel Core i7-1270P scores 63016 in PassMark integer math, which is 9.8% higher than the Ultra 5 135U's 56864.

Q: Are there any benchmark categories where the Ultra 5 135U has a large lead?

A: Yes, the Ultra 5 135U leads by 16.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1634 vs 1404) and by 15.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (228 vs 198). It also wins PassMark data encryption by 8.2% (12195 vs 11276).

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i7-1270P has a TDP of 28 watts. This represents a substantial power envelope difference.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-1270P has 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U has 14 threads, even though both have 12 cores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families and process nodes. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U is built on Meteor Lake architecture using a 7 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. Its codename is also Meteor Lake, and it belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 generation. In contrast, the Intel Core i7-1270P uses Alder Lake architecture with the codename Alder Lake-P, built on a 10 nm process node, also by Intel. The i7-1270P has a die size of 217 mm², while the die size for the Ultra 5 135U is not specified in the data.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly between the two. The Ultra 5 135U has 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-1270P has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, but a larger 18 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the i7-1270P offers 50% more L3 cache, which can be beneficial in certain workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ: the Ultra 5 135U features Arc Xe-LPG with 64 execution units, while the i7-1270P has Iris Xe with 96 execution units. The i7-1270P has more execution units, though the architectural differences between them are not detailed further in the data. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the Ultra 5 135U supporting 12 CPU-only PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the i7-1270P supports 20 CPU-only PCIe Gen 4 lanes. Memory support varies as well: the Ultra 5 135U supports DDR5 memory that depends on the motherboard, while the i7-1270P supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Ultra 5 135U has a specified memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i7-1270P's memory bandwidth is not listed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U excels in older Cinebench versions and several PassMark data-processing tasks. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 16.4% and Cinebench R15 single-core by 15.2%, showing a clear advantage in that benchmark generation. In Cinebench R20, the Ultra 5 135U also wins, though by smaller margins of 1.4% in multi-core and 1.3% in single-core. The Ultra 5 135U further dominates in PassMark data compression (6.4% lead), data encryption (8.2% lead), extended instructions (5.4% lead), random string sorting (5.2% lead), and multithread (2.4% lead). It also edges out the i7-1270P in PassMark physics by a razor-thin 0.2%.

The Intel Core i7-1270P, by contrast, wins in more modern Cinebench R23 tests and in raw computational math. Its biggest victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 13938 versus 9315, a 33.2% advantage. It also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 20.5% (1967 vs 1563). In PassMark, the i7-1270P takes integer math by 9.8% (63016 vs 56864), floating point math by 4.5% (43168 vs 41232), and find prime numbers by 3% (66 vs 64). The i7-1270P also wins PassMark single-thread by 0.3% (3354 vs 3343).

Specification Differences

The two processors share several specifications but differ in key areas. Both have 12 cores and use dual-channel memory, and neither supports ECC memory or has an unlocked multiplier. Both are mobile processors with active production status and come from Intel.

Core counts are identical at 12, but thread counts differ: the Ultra 5 135U has 14 threads while the i7-1270P has 16 threads. The base clock speeds differ substantially, with the Ultra 5 135U running at 1600 MHz and the i7-1270P at 2200 MHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the Ultra 5 135U reaching 4.40 GHz and the i7-1270P reaching 4.80 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: the Ultra 5 135U is rated at 15 watts, while the i7-1270P is rated at 28 watts.

The sockets are different: the Ultra 5 135U uses Intel BGA 2049, while the i7-1270P uses Intel BGA 1744. Process nodes differ (7 nm vs 10 nm), and the cache configurations are different as detailed above. The i7-1270P has a die size of 217 mm², while the Ultra 5 135U's die size is not listed. The i7-1270P supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Ultra 5 135U supports DDR5 depending on the motherboard. The Ultra 5 135U has a launch MSRP of $332, while the i7-1270P has no launch MSRP listed. Release dates differ, with the Ultra 5 135U releasing on 2023-12-13 and the i7-1270P releasing on 2022-02-22. Part numbers are SRN6C for the Ultra 5 135U and SRLD7 for the i7-1270P.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a split personality between these two processors. Starting with Cinebench R15, the Ultra 5 135U shows a commanding lead. In multi-core, it scores 1634 versus 1404, a 16.4% advantage. In single-core, it scores 228 versus 198, a 15.2% advantage. These are the largest wins for the Ultra 5 135U in the entire benchmark suite.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Ultra 5 135U's lead narrows considerably. It scores 5934 versus 5853 in multi-core (a 1.4% lead) and 837 versus 826 in single-core (a 1.3% lead). The trend reverses dramatically in Cinebench R23, where the i7-1270P takes over. In R23 multi-core, the i7-1270P scores 13938 against 9315, a 33.2% swing in its favor. In R23 single-core, it scores 1967 versus 1563, a 20.5% advantage. This suggests the i7-1270P scales better with the more demanding R23 workload.

In PassMark tests, the results are more evenly distributed. The Ultra 5 135U wins data compression (196712 vs 184917, +6.4%), data encryption (12195 vs 11276, +8.2%), extended instructions (11144 vs 10575, +5.4%), multithread (17359 vs 16957, +2.4%), random string sorting (21620 vs 20546, +5.2%), and physics (1122 vs 1120, +0.2%). The i7-1270P wins integer math (63016 vs 56864, +9.8%), floating point math (43168 vs 41232, +4.5%), find prime numbers (66 vs 64, +3%), and single-thread (3354 vs 3343, +0.3%). The single-thread and physics margins are essentially negligible, while the larger gaps in integer math and Cinebench R23 point to the i7-1270P's strengths in sustained computational tasks.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear picture of two processors optimized for different priorities. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U is the better choice for users who prioritize lower power consumption, given its 15-watt TDP versus the i7-1270P's 28-watt TDP. It also wins in several data-centric PassMark workloads, including compression, encryption, and extended instructions, making it suitable for tasks like file handling and security operations. Its wins in Cinebench R15 and R20, while mixed with losses in R23, suggest it handles older software generations well.

The Intel Core i7-1270P, with its higher base and boost clocks and larger L3 cache, is the better performer in modern multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its 33.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 20.5% lead in R23 single-core. It also wins in integer and floating point math, making it a strong option for number-crunching applications. The i7-1270P's higher thread count (16 vs 14) likely contributes to its R23 multi-core advantage.

For buyers choosing between these two, the decision hinges on workload and power constraints. The Ultra 5 135U fits thin-and-light designs where battery life and thermals are critical, and it delivers competitive performance in data-processing tasks. The i7-1270P targets more performance-oriented laptops where the higher power draw is acceptable, offering superior rendering performance and math throughput. The 0.5% average score difference between them is negligible, but the workload-specific gaps of 33.2% and 16.4% in opposite directions are not. Choose the Ultra 5 135U for efficiency and data tasks, or the i7-1270P for rendering and computation-heavy workloads.