Should I buy Intel Core Ultra 5, 7 or 9 laptop CPU?

 Here's how to cut through the noise and find the perfect computer for your needs.

Best Intel CPUs for General Purpose Use

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You don't need to worry too much about performance if you're looking for a laptop to surf the web, type a few documents, and watch movies. Any laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 3 processor will be good enough for your needs if you use it for light, leisurely tasks.

If you have a larger budget, you can opt for a laptop model with an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip. But you should also consider other specifications like screen size, RAM, and storage, instead of focusing solely on the processor.

For example, if you like to store a lot of photos and videos on your computer, you might want a laptop with at least 1TB of storage. Or if you mainly use it for watching movies, then a 15-inch screen should be your priority.

Best Intel CPU for Students

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A laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor will be fine for most students. It will have enough performance to write documents, work on spreadsheets, and use most of the applications you need for school. Plus, the Intel Core Ultra 5 offers a great balance of efficiency and computing power, so you don't have to constantly plug in when working on your laptop.

But in addition to looking at the Intel Core Ultra 5 brand, you should also check the model number of the processor on your laptop. This should be the model number according to the brand and processor variant - for example, Intel Core Ultra 5 125U.

If long battery life is a priority for you when choosing a laptop, look for a U or V after the numbers. That way, you'll get a processor that prioritizes low power consumption and efficiency to extend your laptop's runtime when not plugged in.

Best Intel CPU for gamers

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If you like the benefits of gaming on a laptop and are looking to buy a new gaming laptop (or upgrade your current one), consider the Intel Core Ultra 7 processors. These chips offer better performance than the Intel Core Ultra 5, and you should opt for a laptop with a discrete graphics card instead of an integrated GPU. That way, you can enjoy higher-quality gaming.

Alternatively, if you want to prioritize performance over everything else, you should opt for an Intel processor with an H suffix. Additionally, the second-generation Intel Core Ultra 7 series 200V chips, which will be released in September 2024, also offer excellent performance despite their high power ratings. However, these processors are mostly found in thin and light laptops, so you may want to hold off on choosing them until they become available in a gaming laptop that prioritizes airflow and gaming ergonomics over portability.

Best Intel CPUs for Professionals

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If you're a professional who needs a high-powered, portable laptop, you should buy a computer with an Intel Core Ultra 9 chip. This processor has the largest number of cores, making it well suited for performance-demanding applications, such as video rendering engines, compilers, and more.

The Core Ultra 9 is only available in H or V variants, so you can choose whichever model you want for the most power. However, if your budget allows, get the 2nd Gen Intel Core Ultra 9 288V, as early reviews show that Lunar Lake chips (Intel's codename for its 200V series processors) have promising performance.

Buying a new laptop is exciting, but the sheer number of options can be confusing, especially if you're not familiar with the latest hardware. This guide will help you understand which Intel Core Ultra processor is right for you, but it's equally important to confirm the exact processor model when you're ready to buy.

Don't forget to read reviews of any laptop you're considering - knowing its strengths and weaknesses beforehand will help you get the most out of your investment!

Kareem Winters

Update 30 September 2024