Intel Core Ultra 5 125H socket: BGA 2049
The Intel Core Ultra 5 125H uses BGA 2049, a soldered BGA for Meteor Lake mobile processors with DDR5 or LPDDR5X and PCIe Gen4. The 14-core chip at 28 W with Intel Arc graphics cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 2049
- Launched
- December 14, 2023
- Cores and threads
- 14 and 18
- Base power
- 28 W
- Codename
- Meteor Lake
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Core Ultra 5
- Clocks
- 1.2 / 4.5 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H specifications
| Cores | 14 (4 Performance-cores plus 8 Efficient-cores plus 2 low-power E-cores) |
|---|---|
| Threads | 18 |
| Core architecture | Redwood Cove P-cores with Crestmont E-cores (Meteor Lake) |
| P-core clocks | 1.2 GHz base, up to 4.5 GHz turbo |
| E-core clocks | 700 MHz base, up to 3.6 GHz turbo |
| Low-power E-core clocks | 700 MHz base, up to 2.5 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 18 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 28 W |
| Maximum turbo power | 115 W |
| Manufacturing process | Intel 4 |
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5-7467, up to 64 GB LPDDR5 or 96 GB DDR5 |
| PCI Express | PCIe Gen4 lanes for NVMe, plus Thunderbolt 4 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Arc Graphics, 7 Xe-cores, up to 2.2 GHz, plus AI Boost NPU |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA 2049 soldered |
| Cooler in the box | None (laptop cooling) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H needs a motherboard with a BGA 2049 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 2049 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 2049 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 2,049 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 50 × 25 mm |
| Introduced | January 2025 |
| Memory | LPDDR5X up to 8400 MT/s or DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Core Ultra 5 125H is
The Core Ultra 5 125H is the 14-core entry of Meteor Lake H for performance thin laptops from December 14, 2023. Four Redwood Cove Performance-cores with hyperthreading plus 8 Crestmont Efficient-cores and 2 low-power island E-cores give 14 cores and 18 threads, with P-cores at 1.2 GHz base and up to 4.5 GHz turbo. The package carries 18 MB of Smart Cache and an AI Boost NPU for local acceleration. Base power is 28 W with turbo up to 115 W where cooling allows.
Intel Arc Graphics with 7 Xe-cores to 2.2 GHz handle creation and light play without a discrete card, a step past 4-core U series graphics. Memory reaches DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5x-7467 for bandwidth that feeds the larger GPU well. Thunderbolt 4 and CNVi wireless cover docks and connectivity on performance thin bodies.
Buyers land here for H-level graphics and threads at lower cost than Ultra 7 H parts. Four P-cores keep interactive work fluid while E-cores cover background tasks. Owners who need maximum H graphics step to 155H and above on the same BGA 2049 base. The How to find your CPU socket type guide helps confirm BGA 2049 fit.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 125H solders to BGA 2049 on performance thin boards with no socketed path. Board makers set memory type, power limits and Thunderbolt provisioning, so two 125H laptops can differ in sustained behaviour. BGA 2049 does not cross to LGA 1851 Meteor Lake-PS desktop boards. Maker pages list the BGA package as the fit reference.
Platform IO comes from SoC tiles plus board wiring, with NVMe, wireless and display outputs from the design. Factory firmware carries Meteor Lake support, so buyers weigh memory form, storage slots and cooling class.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR5-5600 SODIMM or LPDDR5x-7467 soldered memory feeds CPU, Arc graphics and NPU together. Capacity reaches 64 GB on LPDDR5 or 96 GB on DDR5 designs. Dual channel doubles graphics bandwidth against single channel, so two-module orders are correct.
PCIe Gen4 lanes wire NVMe plus wireless and Thunderbolt controllers. External GPUs over Thunderbolt work but trail desktop links. Cooling uses dual pipes or vapour with fans for 28 W sustained and 115 W bursts. Fan tables decide how long 4.5 GHz holds.
Upgrade paths
No CPU change is possible on soldered BGA 2049. SODIMM and NVMe swaps move where slots exist, while soldered LPDDR5X stays fixed. Thunderbolt docks add displays and networking without internal work.
Within Meteor Lake on BGA 2049 the steps up are 135H and Ultra 7 H parts with more P-cores and larger Arc graphics. Outside mobile, Arrow Lake-H on BGA 2049 adds newer cores where boards support it. For 125H owners the value order is dual channel memory, then SSD, then a platform move.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Core Ultra 5 125H use?
BGA 2049 as a soldered BGA for Meteor Lake mobile processors. It cannot be removed or upgraded.
How many cores does the 125H have?
14 cores and 18 threads: 4 P-cores plus 8 E-cores plus 2 low-power E-cores, with 18 MB cache and a 28 W base power.
What memory does the 125H support?
DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5-7467 to 64 GB on LPDDR5 or 96 GB on DDR5 designs.
What graphics does the 125H include?
Intel Arc Graphics with 7 Xe-cores to 2.2 GHz plus an AI Boost NPU.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125H specifications (Intel ARK)
- Intel Core Ultra Meteor Lake U and H specs (Tom's Hardware)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .