[Comparison] Intel Core i7-1250U vs Intel Core i5-1240P – The P-series might be the standout of the year
The Core i7-1250U is a new type of Alder lake CPU, getting a lowered TDP in order to deliver better stability and minimal fluctuations in clock speeds. Doing that also makes the CPU run cooler, which can improve comfort, as noise levels and temperatures are on the low end. This is great for more portable notebooks.
However, we’ve seen pretty portable devices with the regular 15W Alder Lake chips and even with the Alder Lake P-series CPUs, which still run cool. Will they be able to perform steadily, however? This is what we’re answering today, by comparing the Core i7-1250U vs the Core i5-1240P
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 i5-1240P
Specs table
| Intel Core i7-1250U | Intel Core i5-1240P | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Alder Lake-U | Alder Lake-P |
| Cores / Threads | 10/12 | 12/16 |
| Clock Speeds – Base/Boost | 0.80 – 4.70GHz | 1.20 – 4.40GHz |
| Cache | 12MB | 12MB |
| Lithography | 10nm | 10nm |
| TDP | 9W | 28W |
| 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 (80EU) |
CPU benchmarks
The Core i5 processor is significantly quicker in 3D Rendering, scoring 42% higher in Cinebench 20. The Photoshop difference is way smaller, however, as while the Core i5 is still faster, it’s only by 0.7 seconds.
Resultaten är från Cinebench R23 CPU-testet (ju högre poäng, desto bättre)
GPU benchmarks
Despite the Core i5-1240P’s iGPU having less Execution Units, it scores higher both in games and in benchmarks. Intel’s GPUs, both in desktop and laptop processors work as well as they do because they delegate as much of the work as possible to the CPU, in a way that it can do the work faster. This is how the Iris Xe Graphics G7 (80EU) scores 14% and 13% higher in 3DMark Fire Strike and Unigine Superposition.
Resultaten är från 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Högre är bättre.
Resultaten är från 3DMark Fire Strike (Graphics) benchmark (högre poäng är bättre)
Resultaten är från 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Högre är bättre.
Resultaten är från Unigine Superposition benchmark (högre poäng är bättre)
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 (+2%) | 110 fps (+20%) | 68 fps (+6%) |
| Intel Core i5-1240P – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (80EU) | 144 fps | 92 fps | 64 fps |
| 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 i5-1240P – Iris Xe Graphics G7 (80EU) | 160 fps (+31%) | 106 fps (+18%) | 61 fps (+11%) |
Conclusion
The Core i5-1240P is the overall faster CPU in terms of both CPU and GPU performance. However, in certain aspects, like efficiency and maintaining good clock speeds, the Core i7-1250U shines as well, delivering quick Photoshop scores. For some reason, it also performs better in CS:GO, but loses in DOTA 2, which is a pretty big headscratcher.
All laptops with the Intel Core i7-1250U:
All laptops with the Intel Core i5-1240P:
Author: Severin Kolakov
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