Intel Core i7-1260P

The Intel Core i7-1260P is a 12-core, 16-thread mobile processor from the Alder Lake-P generation, built by Intel on a 10 nm process with a 217 mm² die. It carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache, with a 2.10 GHz base clock, a 4.70 GHz boost clock, and a 28W TDP. The chip uses the Intel BGA 1744 package, integrates Iris Xe 96EU graphics, and carries part number SRLD6. In the benchmark database, it sits at the 75th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17212.

Benchmark Performance

The aggregate data places the Core i7-1260P in a very tight performance cluster. Its average benchmark score of 17212 is matched by the Core Ultra 7 164U at 17215, with a deltaPct of 0. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U averages 17189 with a 0.1% delta, the Intel Core i5-11400F averages 17181 with a 0.2% delta, and the Intel Core i5-1240U averages 17141 with a 0.4% delta. All four nearest rivals sit within a narrow band of aggregate scores, which means the i7-1260P is not a decisive winner or loser against any of them in overall performance.

The single-thread benchmarks show a capable lightly threaded design. 3DMark single-thread scores 915, Cinebench R15 single-core scores 202, Cinebench R20 single-core scores 844, Cinebench R23 single-core scores 2011, and Passmark single-thread scores 3250. These numbers indicate that tasks using only one or two threads will receive reasonable performance, especially when the 4.70 GHz boost clock is active.

Multi-thread performance is a far stronger story. Cinebench R15 multi-core scores 1436, Cinebench R20 multi-core scores 5985, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 14250, Passmark multithread scores 16775, and 3DMark max-thread scores 4406. The 3DMark scaling ladder makes the thread behavior visible: 2 threads score 1601, 4 threads score 2540, 8 threads score 3159, 16 threads score 4072, and max threads score 4406. Performance continues to climb as more threads are engaged, which is a sign that the 12-core, 16-thread configuration benefits parallel workloads.

Passmark sub-tests add more texture. Data compression scores 182968, data encryption scores 11238, extended instructions score 10493, floating point math scores 42417, integer math scores 62316, physics scores 1092, random string sorting scores 20586, and find prime numbers scores 63. The high integer math and data compression results, along with the low prime-number score, suggest a workload profile that rewards general-purpose integer work rather than specialized math loops. At the 75th percentile of all CPUs in the database, the i7-1260P sits above most of the tested processor population.

Power and Thermals

The TDP of 28W is the central thermal fact. This is a low-power mobile envelope, not a high-power desktop-class design. A processor in this TDP class implies a modest cooling tier, such as a compact laptop cooler, rather than a large high-end thermal solution. The 10 nm process and 217 mm² die are the physical characteristics behind that envelope. Because the market segment is Mobile, the surrounding chassis and heatsink are expected to handle the sustained thermal load.

Production status is Active, meaning the part remains in production. The BGA 1744 package is a board-mounted package, so the cooling solution is designed around the motherboard rather than around a user-replaceable CPU cooler. The integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics also contribute to the thermal picture by removing the need for a separate graphics chip in basic systems. For sustained multi-thread workloads such as the Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 14250, the thermal solution still needs to dissipate the heat from the 28W design, but the data points toward a compact low-power system rather than an enthusiast cooling setup.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-1260P uses the Intel BGA 1744 package. This is a ball-grid-array package, so the CPU is mounted directly to the motherboard. The upgrade path is therefore at the platform level, not a simple CPU swap in a desktop socket. The processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode. ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU only, which is a useful amount of bandwidth for a mobile platform.

The integrated graphics are Intel Iris Xe with 96 execution units. The multiplier is not unlocked, since multiplierUnlocked is false, so multiplier-based overclocking is not supported. The processor is part of the mobile market segment and was released on February 22, 2022. Its part number is SRLD6, and it remains in Active production status.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i7-1260P use?

A: It uses Intel BGA 1744, a ball-grid-array package.

Q: What memory types does it support?

A: It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and ECC memory is not supported.

Q: Does the processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel Iris Xe graphics with 96 execution units.

Q: Is the CPU multiplier unlocked?

A: No, multiplierUnlocked is false, so the multiplier is locked.

Q: When was the processor released?

A: The release date is February 22, 2022.

Q: What PCIe capability does it provide?

A: It provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU only.

How It Compares

Core Ultra 7 164U: The i7-1260P averages 17212, while the Core Ultra 7 164U averages 17215, for a deltaPct of 0. In aggregate performance, the two are effectively tied.

AMD Ryzen 7 5700U: The nearestRivals data shows a 0.1% delta in favor of the i7-1260P, with the Ryzen 7 5700U averaging 17189. The margin is tiny, so the chips belong to the same aggregate performance class.

Intel Core i5-11400F: Against the Core i5-11400F, the i7-1260P holds a 0.2% lead; the rival averages 17181. This is close enough that benchmark positioning between the two is not meaningful.

Intel Core i5-1240U: The largest gap among the nearest rivals is 0.4%, with the i7-1260P ahead of the Core i5-1240U, which averages 17141. Even this largest delta is small enough to leave both processors in the same broad performance neighborhood.

Who Should Consider It

The i7-1260P is well suited to multi-threaded workloads where the 12 cores and 16 threads can be fully used. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14250 and the 3DMark max-thread score of 4406 are the strongest evidence of parallel capability. Rendering, encoding, and similar parallel creation tasks should benefit from the high multi-thread numbers.

Office and productivity-oriented use is also covered. Passmark single-thread scores 3250 and Cinebench R23 single-core scores 2011, which indicate good responsiveness for everyday interactive applications. The dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 memory support keeps the platform around the processor capable as well.

Data-related tasks could be a particular fit. Passmark data compression scores 182968, data encryption scores 11238, and integer math scores 62316. These are the most prominent values in the Passmark sub-test set, suggesting the processor handles compression and general integer work well. Users with such workloads should find the benchmark profile encouraging.

Gaming is a more moderate case. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 1601 and 4-thread score of 2540 indicate reasonable performance for thread-limited game logic, and the Iris Xe 96EU integrated graphics provide a built-in rendering path. However, the 28W TDP and mobile positioning suggest the chip is not aimed at extreme sustained gaming performance. Users who need high-end gaming should look elsewhere, but those building a compact mobile system for modest gaming workloads can consider this processor’s integrated graphics and low-power design.

Users who require ECC memory support should not select this chip, because ECC is false. Users looking for a socketed desktop CPU replacement should also look elsewhere, because the BGA 1744 package is not a socketed part.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The benchmark data shows a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread results. 3DMark single-thread scores 915, while 3DMark max-thread scores 4406. Cinebench R23 single-core scores 2011, while Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 14250. Cinebench R20 single-core scores 844, while Cinebench R20 multi-core scores 5985. Cinebench R15 single-core scores 202, while Cinebench R15 multi-core scores 1436. Passmark single-thread scores 3250, while Passmark multithread scores 16775. In every suite, the multi-thread figure dwarfs the single-thread figure.

The 3DMark thread-count ladder reinforces this pattern. Scores rise from 1601 at 2 threads, to 2540 at 4 threads, to 3159 at 8 threads, to 4072 at 16 threads, and finally to 4406 at max threads. The gains continue as more threads are added, which is consistent with a 12-core, 16-thread design.

For real workloads, this means lightly threaded software will depend on the 4.70 GHz boost clock and the single-thread benchmark scores. Heavily threaded software will use the full 16-thread capacity and see the much larger multi-thread scores. The i7-1260P is therefore a balanced mobile processor with a notable multi-thread emphasis, capable of handling interactive single-thread tasks while still delivering strong performance when parallel cores are put to work.