Intel Core Ultra 5 125U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U reaches a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U tops out at 4.30 GHz. The base clocks also differ, with the Ultra 7 running at 1700 MHz and the Ultra 5 at 1300 MHz.

Q: Do the two chips share the same core and thread configuration?

A: Yes. Both the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U and the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U feature 12 cores and 14 threads. Both are built on the Meteor Lake architecture using a 7 nm process at Intel.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U takes the multi-core Cinebench R23 result with a score of 9799, compared to 9674.5 for the Ultra 7 155U. That is a 1.3% advantage for the Ultra 5.

Q: How much faster is the Ultra 7 in single-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Ultra 7 155U scores 1666 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 6.7% ahead of the Ultra 5's 1561. This is the largest single-core win recorded between the two chips.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Ultra 7 155U has an average benchmark score of 21174, while the Ultra 5 125U averages 20826. The Ultra 7 sits at the 75th percentile of all CPUs, and the Ultra 5 sits at the 74th percentile.

Q: Do both processors use the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both are equipped with Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics. They also share the same socket, TDP, memory bus, and PCIe configuration.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U are both members of the Core Ultra Series 1, built on the Meteor Lake architecture. Intel produces both chips on a 7 nm process, and both use the Intel BGA 2049 socket. The architecture itself is identical in structure: 12 cores, 14 threads, and a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The differentiation begins with clock speeds. The Ultra 7 155U operates at a base clock of 1700 MHz and boosts to 4.80 GHz. The Ultra 5 125U runs at a lower 1300 MHz base and boosts to 4.30 GHz. The 400 MHz boost advantage for the Ultra 7 is the primary architectural distinction in raw frequency potential.

Cache hierarchies are completely identical. Both processors carry 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is likewise the same: DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard. PCIe lanes are also matched at Gen 4 with 12 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics solution is another point of parity. Both chips use Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, meaning the GPU side offers no differentiation between the two. The part numbers differ, with the Ultra 7 carrying the SRN6B designation and the Ultra 5 using SRN6E, but the underlying silicon architecture is otherwise shared.

One notable difference in the database is the benchmark coverage. The Ultra 5 125U includes Geekbench results (6308 multi-core, 1493 single-core) that are not recorded for the Ultra 7 155U, which limits direct comparison in that test to a single side. Both processors were released on the same date and are listed as Active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is the surprising leader in multi-threaded workloads. Across the Cinebench series, it wins R15 multi-core (1640 vs 1585), R20 multi-core (5982 vs 5765), and R23 multi-core (9799 vs 9674.5). The PassMark multithread test also favors the Ultra 5, with a score of 17417 versus 16382, a 5.9% margin. Data-heavy tasks follow the same pattern: data compression (198858 vs 177122), data encryption (12231 vs 11333), and random string sorting (21872 vs 19767) all go to the Ultra 5. Extended instruction workloads also lean its way, with a 12.7% lead in PassMark extended instructions.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U claims the single-thread crown. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core (238.5 vs 227) by 5.1% and Cinebench R23 single-core (1666 vs 1561) by 6.7%. PassMark single-thread also goes to the Ultra 7 at 3372 versus 3296, a 2.3% edge. Light integer work favors the Ultra 7 as well, with PassMark integer math at 57564 versus 57046, and it edges out the Ultra 5 in prime number finding (65 vs 64) and physics (1084 vs 1082).

The split is clear: the Ultra 5 dominates sustained multi-core and memory-heavy workloads, while the Ultra 7 wins most single-thread and scalar tasks. For workloads that rely on many threads or heavy data throughput, the Ultra 5 is the stronger pick. For lightly threaded applications where clock speed matters most, the Ultra 7 takes over.

Specification Differences

The two processors share most specifications, so the differences are concentrated in a few key areas. The base clock is the first divergence: the Ultra 7 155U runs at 1700 MHz, while the Ultra 5 125U runs at 1300 MHz. Boost clock follows the same trend, with the Ultra 7 reaching 4.80 GHz and the Ultra 5 reaching 4.30 GHz.

The launch MSRP also differs. The Ultra 7 155U carries a launch MSRP of $490, and the Ultra 5 125U carries a launch MSRP of $363. The generation labels differ as well, with the Ultra 7 listed as "Ultra 7 (Meteor Lake)" and the Ultra 5 listed as "Ultra 5 (Meteor Lake)".

Part numbers are unique to each chip: SRN6B for the Ultra 7 and SRN6E for the Ultra 5. Everything else, including cores, threads, cache, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe lanes, integrated graphics, socket, process node, foundry, and production status, is identical between the two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data records 17 benchmark comparisons between the two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U wins 10 of them, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U wins 7.

The largest victory for the Ultra 5 comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 11340 against the Ultra 7's 9903, a 12.7% advantage. Data compression is nearly as decisive: the Ultra 5 posts 198858 versus 177122, a 10.9% lead. Random string sorting goes to the Ultra 5 by 9.6% (21872 vs 19767), and data encryption follows at 7.3% (12231 vs 11333). The Cinebench multi-core results are tighter but consistent: the Ultra 5 wins R20 multi-core by 3.6% (5982 vs 5765), R15 multi-core by 3.4% (1640 vs 1585), and R23 multi-core by 1.3% (9799 vs 9674.5). PassMark multithread shows a 5.9% edge for the Ultra 5 (17417 vs 16382), and floating point math goes to the Ultra 5 by 2.6% (41331 vs 40256).

The Ultra 7's wins are led by Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 1666 against 1561, a 6.7% margin. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to the Ultra 7 by 5.1% (238.5 vs 227). PassMark single-thread favors the Ultra 7 by 2.3% (3372 vs 3296). The remaining Ultra 7 wins are narrow: integer math at 0.9% (57564 vs 57046), prime number finding at 1.6% (65 vs 64), and physics at 0.2% (1084 vs 1082). Cinebench R20 single-core is the one anomaly, with the Ultra 5 winning 844 to 813, a 3.7% margin despite the Ultra 7's higher boost clock.

The average benchmark scores place the Ultra 7 at 21174 and the Ultra 5 at 20826. The Ultra 7's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U at 21133 (0.2% behind), the AMD EPYC 9454 at 21223 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V at 21112 (0.3% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G at 21088 (0.4% behind). The Ultra 5's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6325P at 20821 (even), the AMD EPYC 7J13 at 20845 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i5-12490F at 20802 (0.1% behind), and the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V at 20897 (0.3% ahead).

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is the stronger multi-threaded processor despite its lower position in the product stack. It wins the Cinebench multi-core suite, PassMark multithread, data compression, data encryption, random string sorting, and extended instructions. For rendering, compression, encryption, or any workload that scales across threads, the Ultra 5 is the better choice based on recorded results.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U justifies its higher launch MSRP in single-thread performance. It leads in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core, PassMark single-thread, integer math, prime number finding, and physics. Applications that depend on peak clock speed and light-thread responsiveness will prefer the Ultra 7.

The benchmark split favors the Ultra 5 in raw count, 10 wins to 7, but the margins tell a more nuanced story. The Ultra 5's wins are often large, particularly in extended instructions and data compression, while the Ultra 7's wins are mostly narrow outside of single-core Cinebench. The average benchmark scores are close, with the Ultra 7 at 21174 and the Ultra 5 at 20826, a difference of about 1.7%. The percentile rankings are similarly tight at 75 versus 74.

Buyers should choose based on workload. The Ultra 5 125U suits users running multi-threaded productivity, data processing, or content creation tasks where its consistent multi-core leads translate into real time savings. The Ultra 7 155U suits users prioritizing single-thread speed, responsive light-thread applications, or those who want the top boost clock in the series. Both chips share the same core count, cache, graphics, and platform features, so the decision rests almost entirely on the frequency and benchmark trade-offs documented above.