[Comparison] Intel Core i7-1250U vs Intel Core i7-1255U – Does the extra wattage matter?
The new 9W CPUs from Intel should be new champions of stability, offering reliable performance with stable clock speeds and wattages. Compared to the regular 15W Alder Lake CPUs, you might get less performance, but with fewer fluctuations.
Today we have two very similar chips, with 10 cores and 12 threads, but the wattage is different. However, once the CPUs get into benchmarks, all rules are off the table, as depending on cooling, wattage can increase and decrease, to suit temperatures and not allow the processors to overheat.
Today we are comparing the Intel Core i7-1250U against the Core i7-1255U.
You can take a look at our Top Laptop CPU Ranking, where we showcase the best and the newest laptop processors.
You can find more information about both CPUs here: Intel Core i7-1250U / Core i7-1255U
Specs table
Intel Core i7-1250U | Intel Core i7-1255U | |
---|---|---|
Architecture | Alder Lake-U | Alder Lake U |
Cores / Threads | 10/12 | 10/12 |
Clock Speeds – Base/Boost | 0.80 – 4.70GHz | 1.20 – 4.70GHz |
Cache | 12MB | 15MB |
Lithography | 10nm | 10nm |
TDP | 9W | 15W |
Memory type | DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267 | DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267 |
Integrated GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) |
CPU benchmarks
The higher TDP Core i7-1255U scores 12% higher in Cinebench 20 while being around 0.7 seconds faster in Photoshop.
De resultaten zijn afkomstig van de Cinebench R23 CPU-test (hoe hoger de score, hoe beter)
Resultaten zijn van onze Photoshop benchmark test (hoe lager de score, hoe beter)
GPU benchmarks
In the GPU benchmarks, we see significant leads for the Core i7-1255U, despite both CPUs carrying the same iGPU. The Core i5-1255U scores 21% and 23% higher in 3DMark Fire Strike and Unigine Superposition, respectively.
De resultaten zijn afkomstig van de 3DMark: Time Spy (Graphics) benchmark (hoe hoger de score, hoe beter)
Resultaten zijn van de 3DMark: Fire Strike (Graphics) benchmark (hoe hoger de score, hoe beter)
De resultaten zijn afkomstig van de 3DMark: Wild Life benchmark (hoe hoger de score, hoe beter)
Resultaten zijn van de Unigine Superposition benchmark (hoe hoger de score, hoe beter)
Gaming tests
CS:GO | HD 1080p, Low (Check settings) | HD 1080p, Medium (Check settings) | HD 1080p, MAX (Check settings) |
---|---|---|---|
Intel Core i7-1250U – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) | 147 fps | 110 fps | 68 fps |
Intel Core i7-1255U – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) | 170 fps (+16%) | 134 fps (+22%) | 80 fps (+18%) |
DOTA 2 | HD 1080p, Low (Check settings) | HD 1080p, Normal (Check settings) | HD 1080p, High (Check settings) |
---|---|---|---|
Intel Core i7-1250U – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) | 122 fps | 90 fps | 55 fps |
Intel Core i7-1255U – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) | 139 fps (+14%) | 99 fps (+10%) | 64 fps (+16%) |
Conclusion
The Core i7-1255U shows performance leads both when it comes to CPU and GPU tasks. In gaming tests, it also shows significantly higher FPS. However, the CPU is very laptop-dependent, as while we’ve seen well-performing devices with it, we’ve also seen models where the chip can’t break the 2500 mark inside Cinebench 20. All in all, if you’ll ever going to use a device with the Core i7-1250U, it’s going to be an enterprise model from a company, as enterprises are more likely to select it for their workforce.