Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
Intel Core Ultra 5 115U: A New Stage in the Evolution of Mobile Processors
March 2025
With the release of the Meteor Lake processors, Intel has taken a significant step towards energy efficiency and hybrid architecture. One of the key models for ultrabooks is the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U — a chip that promises a balance between performance and battery life. Let's explore who this processor is suitable for and what advantages it offers in 2025.
Architecture and Process Technology: Hybrid Approach and Next-Generation Graphics
The Core Ultra 5 115U processor is based on the Meteor Lake architecture using a 7nm process technology. This is the first generation of Intel where chiplet technology (tiles) is used: computing, graphics, and I/O blocks are manufactured separately, which reduces production costs and increases flexibility.
Key Specifications:
- Cores and Threads: 8 cores (2 Performance cores + 6 Efficient cores) and 10 threads.
- Frequencies:
- Base frequency of P-cores — 1.5 GHz;
- Maximum turbo frequency of P-cores — 4.2 GHz;
- E-cores operate in the range of 1.2–3.5 GHz.
- Cache: 10 MB L3.
- Integrated Graphics: Intel Arc Xe-LPG 48EU with support for DirectX 12 Ultimate and hardware ray tracing.
Architecture Features:
- P-cores (Redwood Cove) are optimized for single-threaded performance, while E-cores (Crestmont) are designed for multitasking with low power consumption.
- The Xe-LPG graphics is an evolution of Iris Xe, with improved support for AI acceleration (for example, for noise reduction in Zoom) and gaming technologies like XeSS.
Power Consumption and TDP: Efficiency for Thin Devices
The TDP of the processor is 15 Watts, which is typical for ultrabooks. However, Intel has implemented dynamic power management:
- Under peak load, the chip can temporarily consume up to 28 Watts (Turbo Boost Power Max mode).
- In idle mode, power consumption drops to 3–5 Watts thanks to Intel Thread Director technology, which allocates tasks between P- and E-cores.
Example: In a laptop with a 60 Wh battery, working time for office tasks reaches 12–14 hours, and for video playback — up to 10 hours.
Performance: Real Tests and Turbo Mode
Office Tasks and Multitasking
- PCMark 10: 4800 points — sufficient for simultaneously handling 20+ tabs in Chrome, Excel spreadsheets, and video conferences.
- Running Photoshop + Premiere Pro: Rendering a 4K video of 5 minutes takes about 8 minutes (without hardware acceleration).
Multimedia and Gaming
- Graphics Xe-LPG 48EU: In games at low settings shows:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (FSR Performance) — 25–30 FPS;
- Fortnite — 60 FPS;
- Dota 2 — 90 FPS.
- 8K Video: Smooth playback in VLC due to the AV1 decoder.
Turbo Mode
Under load, P-cores boost up to 4.2 GHz, but only for 15–20 seconds (in a slim chassis). After this, the frequency stabilizes at 3.8 GHz. For prolonged tasks (like rendering), the multi-threaded performance of the E-cores is more important.
Use Cases: Who is the Ultra 5 115U Designed For
1. Students and Office Workers: A lightweight laptop for study, document work, and Zoom.
2. Digital Nomads: Battery life of 10+ hours and support for USB4 to connect to 4K monitors.
3. Casual Gamers: Games like CS:2 or Genshin Impact at medium settings.
4. Creative Tasks: Photo editing in Lightroom, short video editing in CapCut.
Not Suitable for:
- Professional video editors (it's better to opt for the H-series with RTX 4060);
- Gamers requiring Ultra settings in AAA titles.
Battery Life: Energy-Saving Technologies
In addition to a hybrid architecture, the processor uses:
- Intel Dynamic Tuning: Adaptively lowers the frequency when running on battery.
- Deep Learning Boost: Accelerates AI tasks (like background blur in Teams), conserving charge.
- Eco Mode in Windows 12: Reduces power consumption by 15% without noticeable performance loss.
Tip: Disable turbo mode in power settings to extend battery life by 1.5–2 hours.
Comparison with Competitors
AMD Ryzen 5 7640U (Zen 4, 4nm)
- Advantages of AMD: Better multi-threaded performance (8 Zen 4 cores), Radeon 740M graphics are 15% faster in OpenGL.
- Disadvantages of AMD: Higher heat output (TDP up to 28 Watts), 2–3 hours less battery life.
Apple M3 (MacBook Air 2025)
- Advantages of Apple: Battery life of up to 18 hours, instant response in macOS.
- Disadvantages of Apple: Limited gaming library, starting price from $1299.
Intel Core i5-1235U (Previous Generation)
The Ultra 5 115U is 30% more energy-efficient and 25% faster in gaming thanks to Xe-LPG.
Pros and Cons of Core Ultra 5 115U
Strengths:
- Best-in-class graphics for integrated solutions;
- Excellent battery life;
- Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 5.
Weaknesses:
- Limited multi-threaded performance headroom;
- High price of laptops (starting at $899);
- Turbo mode quickly throttles frequencies in slim chassis.
Recommendations for Laptop Selection
1. Type of Device: Ultrabooks (Asus ZenBook, Dell XPS) or budget models (Acer Swift).
2. RAM Size: At least 16 GB LPDDR5X.
3. Storage: SSD 512 GB PCIe 4.0.
4. Screen: IPS panel with FHD+ resolution and 100% sRGB coverage.
5. Cooling: 2 fans or copper pipes for stable turbo mode.
Examples of 2025 Models:
- Asus ZenBook 14 ($999): 1.1 kg, 2.8K OLED display.
- Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 ($899): 16 GB RAM, touchscreen display.
Final Thoughts
The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U is an ideal choice for those seeking a lightweight laptop with long battery life and sufficient performance for everyday tasks. It is especially great for:
- Digital nomads;
- Students;
- Users who value high-quality graphics without a discrete graphics card.
If your budget is limited to $800, consider the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U. But for the balance of battery life, portability, and moderate gaming performance, the Ultra 5 115U is the best option in 2025.