Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL
Also called intel core ultra 5 125hl, core ultra 5 125hl, 125hl, core-ultra-5-125hl
Intel Core Ultra 5 embedded processor on Meteor Lake, with 14 cores and 18 threads and 18 MB L3 at 45 W TDP addressing up to 96 GB and Intel Arc graphics.
What you need to know
Still a capable Core Ultra 5 desktop chip.
Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL launched in April 1, 2024., It has 14 cores and 18 threads on Meteor Lake, dropping into the FCLGA1851 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up.
- Still good?
- Yes, for most work this class is sold for
- Product age
- 2 years old
- Upgrade pressure
- Low
What this hardware means today
Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.
- Performance today
- Excellent. Excellent for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
- Product age 2 years old
- Previous generation. Launched April 1, 2024. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
- Support status
- Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
- Upgrade pressure
- Low. Upgrade pressure is low unless you need a different platform feature.
Where does it sit?
Meteor Lake sits on Intel's recent Core timeline. Later desktop branding moved toward Core Ultra.
Performance context
These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.
Gaming: Very Good
Plenty for current games when the GPU is the limit, which it often is.
Productivity: Excellent
14 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.
Multithreaded workloads: Good
18 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.
General use: Excellent
Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.
Efficiency: Good
Rated 45 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.
Should you upgrade?
Probably not if this chip already matches your work.
Upgrade makes more sense if
- Your workload is strongly CPU limited
- You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
- You need substantially more multicore performance
- You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer
Upgrade makes less sense if
- The GPU is the real bottleneck
- Current applications are already responsive
- The CPU rarely limits your workload
Specifications
Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL is built on Meteor Lake.
| Manufacturer | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Core Ultra 5 |
| Architecture | Meteor Lake |
| Generation | Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 1) |
| Segment | Embedded |
Cores and threads
Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL has 14 cores and 18 threads.
| Cores | 14 (4 P-cores + 8 E-cores) |
|---|---|
| P-cores | 4 |
| E-cores | 8 |
| Threads | 18 |
| Hybrid architecture | Yes |
Clock speeds
Base clock is 2.5 GHz. Boost reaches 4.5 GHz.
| Base frequency | 2.5 GHz |
|---|---|
| Max boost | 4.5 GHz |
Cache
Cache on this sheet is 18 MB L3.
| L3 cache | 18 MB |
|---|---|
| Total cache | 18 MB |
Memory
Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL addresses 96 GB across 2 memory channels.
| Supported types | DDR5 |
|---|---|
| Max capacity | 96 GB |
| Channels | 2 |
Package and power
Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL uses the FCLGA1851 socket and a 45 W TDP.
| Socket | FCLGA1851 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 45 W |
| PCIe | Revision 4.0, 20 lanes |
Integrated graphics
Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL includes Intel Arc graphics.
| Integrated graphics | Intel Arc graphics |
|---|
Market
Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL launched April 1, 2024 at USD 325 (suggested price at launch).
| Launch date | April 1, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | USD 325 (suggested price at launch) |
| Model | 125HL |
Features
Intel Core Ultra 5 125HL records 40 instruction sets on this sheet.
| Instruction sets | AES-NIAVX2AVXAVX-VNNICET-IBTCET-SSFMASHAVAES64-bit (x86-64)BMI1BMI2CLMULF16CGFNIPCLMULQDQRDRANDRDSEEDSSE4.1SSE4.2x86-64-v3ABMADXCMPXCHG16BEnhanced SpeedStepFast Short Rep MOVSFXSRInvariant TSCLZCNTPOPCNTRDTSCPSSESSE2SSE3SSSE3x86-64-v2XSAVEXSAVEOPTMMXMOVBE |
|---|---|
| Security | AES-NIControl-flow Enforcement (CET)Execute Disable (NX)Boot GuardHardware RNGOS GuardOS Guard (SMAP)Mode-Based Execute Control |
| Virtualization | Extended Page Tables (EPT)VT-d (DMA Remapping)VT-x (Hardware Virtualization) |
| AI acceleration | Neural Processing Unit (NPU)Deep Learning BoostGaussian Neural Accelerator |
| OS capabilities | Docker / Hyper-V readyLinux KVM readyWindows 11 eligibleAndroid emulator readyWSL2 ready |
Compatibility
| Socket | FCLGA1851 |
|---|---|
| Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. |
| Memory | DDR5, up to 96 GB |
| Graphics | Intel Arc graphics |
A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.
Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.
Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept.
No post after a CPU swap
Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.
- Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
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