Why Intel Core Ultra H is a better choice than Intel Core Ultra U

Buying a new Intel laptop and feeling totally confused? You are not the only one. The rebranded Intel Core Ultra line of processors can be difficult to understand, especially when it comes to choosing between a Core Ultra H or U processor – but there are a few ways to tell the difference.

Intel Core Ultra U vs. Ultra H: What’s the difference?

Before Intel adopted the new naming scheme, the number after the “i” (such as i5 or i7) indicated the performance level, with i7 typically being faster than i5. However, with the new Core Ultra series, performance depends more on the letter at the end of the processor name (if it’s H or U). In short, Intel H-Series processors are designed for performance, while Intel U-Series processors are designed for power efficiency. To make things clearer, here’s how the processors rank based on performance level, from lowest to highest:

• Intel Core Ultra 5-125U or 135U (lowest performance)
• Intel Core Ultra 7-155U or 165U
• Intel Core Ultra 5-125H or 135H
• Intel Core Ultra 7-155H or 165H (highest performance)

For comparison, let’s look at the Core Ultra 5-125U and the Core Ultra 7-155U. While you’d expect the Core Ultra 7 to outperform the Core Ultra 5, the difference is minimal – around a 5% improvement. However, going from Core Ultra 7-155U to Core Ultra 7-155H will give you a significant performance boost (around 20%).

But what makes the Core Ultra H so much faster? This is because you get 4 or 6 power (P-cores) depending on the specific model, while all Core Ultra U processors only have 2 P-cores. And that’s not it. With Core Ultra H you also get:

• Bigger cache
• Higher Turbo Boost frequency in P-cores
• Significantly better Intel Arc graphics

Additionally, if you chose the Core Ultra H, you wouldn’t sacrifice power efficiency despite having more P cores and a higher Turbo Boost frequency. All Core Ultra processors (whether H or U series) share the same number of Efficient (E-cores – 8) and Low Power (LP-E cores – 2) running at exactly the same clock speed. This means that your laptop will use the energy-efficient E-cores when performing lighter tasks and will only run the P-cores when under load.

Who Should Buy Intel Core Ultra U Series?

The Core Ultra U series is sufficient if you are looking for a sleek and thin laptop primarily for browsing the web, watching movies or word processing. Also, it’s best to stick with the Intel Core Ultra 5-125U, as the Core Ultra 7-155U’s performance is about the same.

Who Should Buy Intel Core Ultra H Series?

The Core Ultra H series is better if your primary goal is productivity, running resource-intensive applications, or handling tasks like rendering video on multiple monitors. In addition, it has powerful integrated Intel Arc Graphics that can run modern games at a decent frame rate.

Why Intel Core Ultra H is the better choice

So comparing the two, Core Ultra H is the better choice even if you don’t plan to use your laptop for heavy tasks. Especially when there is only a slight price difference. For example, you can pick up an Inspiron 16 2-in-1 laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 5-125U for $749, while an Intel Core Ultra 7-155H costs $799.

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You might think that the Core Ultra U offers much better battery life, but that’s not entirely true. You can only expect a few hours of extra battery life – nothing more. This is because Intel designed Core Ultra specifically for high-performance mobile computing with energy efficiency in mind. Whether you choose Core Ultra H or U, you’ll benefit from the same number of E-cores, which means your daily tasks will use roughly the same amount of power whether it’s Core Ultra H or U. However, with Core Ultra H, you’ll get more P cores that you can run into at any time, and not to forget, the much more powerful Arc integrated graphics.

Core Ultra H also offers better long-term compatibility. After a few years, your laptop will run smoothly even as applications and system software become more complex.