Key Takeaways
1. ULV U-series processors are typically used in smaller laptops, while H-series processors are common in larger models.
2. Smaller laptops with H-series processors can experience significant performance throttling, up to 25% compared to larger models.
3. Many 14-inch laptops with the Core Ultra 7 155H show a performance drop of 20% or more after stress testing, indicating poor Turbo Boost sustainability.
4. The 14-inch Schenker Key 14 stands out by maintaining performance due to its efficient cooling system from the GeForce RTX 4060, despite being bulkier.
5. For processor-intensive tasks, consider laptop size, as larger models can run the same processor significantly faster, with performance differences up to 70%.
ULV U-series processors are typically found in smaller laptops, while H-series are more common in larger models. However, when H-series processors are used in smaller laptops, it can lead to performance issues. For example, some 14-inch laptops powered by the Core Ultra 7 155H can experience throttling of up to 25 percent compared to their larger counterparts with the same CPU.
Performance Comparisons
The graph below illustrates the performance of the 13-inch MSI Summit E13 AI Evo, 14-inch Schenker Key 14, 14-inch Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen5 Hybrid, 13.5-inch Framework Laptop 13.5, and 14-inch Honor MagicBook Art 14, all equipped with the Core Ultra 7 155H. Most of these devices showed a drop in performance of 20 percent or more after just one run of our CineBench R15 xT stress test, indicating poor Turbo Boost sustainability. In contrast, the 16-inch Eurocom Blitz Ultra 16 maintained faster and more consistent performance throughout the stress test.
The Outlier
The 14-inch Schenker, however, stands out as an exception due to its inclusion of a GeForce RTX 4060. Being a gaming laptop, it has a cooling system that is more efficient than that of many other 14-inch laptops, albeit at the cost of a bulkier design and added weight. Consequently, the processor in this model experiences less throttling.
If you often handle processor-intensive tasks, it’s important to think about the laptop’s size in addition to the processor listed in the specifications. The larger models can run the same Core Ultra 7 155H significantly faster—in some extreme cases, up to 70 percent quicker, as seen with the Honor MagicBook Art 14.
