[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 i7-1250UIntel Core i7-1255U
ArchitectureAlder Lake-UAlder Lake U
Cores / Threads10/1210/12
Clock Speeds – Base/Boost0.80 – 4.70GHz1.20 – 4.70GHz
Cache12MB15MB
Lithography10nm10nm
TDP9W15W
Memory type

DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267

 DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267
Integrated GPUIntel 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.

Results are from the Cinebench R23 CPU test (the higher the score, the better)


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.

Results are from 3DMark Fire Strike (Graphics) benchmark (higher the score, the better)

Results are from the Unigine Superposition benchmark (higher the score, the better)


Gaming tests

cs-go-benchmarks

CS:GOHD 1080p, Low (Check settings)HD 1080p, Medium (Check settings)HD 1080p, MAX (Check settings)
Intel Core i7-1250U – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU)147 fps110 fps68 fps
Intel Core i7-1255U – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU)170 fps (+16%)134 fps (+22%)80 fps (+18%)

DOTA 2HD 1080p, Low (Check settings)HD 1080p, Normal (Check settings)HD 1080p, High (Check settings)
Intel Core i7-1250U – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU)122 fps90 fps55 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.

All laptops with the Intel Core i7-1250U:


All laptops with the Intel Core i7-1255U:

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