AMD Ryzen 3 30 vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 and Intel Core 5 315 are both 15-watt mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals a decisive performance gap. The Intel Core 5 315 wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, with margins that range from modest to overwhelming. This analysis breaks down the recorded measurements, architectural differences, and the specific workloads where each processor holds an advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 315 dominates the PassMark suite across all eleven recorded tests. The largest margin appears in the floating-point math test, where Intel scores 42441 against AMD's 14448, a delta of 66 percent. This is a massive gap in computational throughput, indicating a fundamental advantage in FPU execution. The find prime numbers test shows an even starker ratio: Intel scores 112, AMD scores 20, a delta of 82.1 percent. This test is heavily dependent on integer and branch performance, and the Intel part simply overwhelms the AMD chip.

The encryption test also goes decisively to Intel. The Core 5 315 scores 11119, while the Ryzen 3 30 scores 6461, a delta of 41.9 percent. This suggests the Intel processor has significantly stronger cryptographic instruction throughput. Extended instructions follow the same pattern: Intel scores 13143, AMD scores 6075, a delta of 53.8 percent. The physics test shows Intel at 1163 against AMD's 436, a delta of 62.5 percent, confirming that simulation and rigid-body workloads run far better on the Intel chip.

Multithreaded performance is a clear Intel win as well. The Core 5 315 scores 15272 in the multithread test, versus 9027 for the Ryzen 3 30, a delta of 40.9 percent. This is notable because the AMD chip has 8 threads while the Intel chip has only 6, yet Intel still leads by a wide margin. Single-thread performance also favors Intel: 4021 versus 2465, a delta of 38.7 percent. The integer math test is the closest contest, with Intel scoring 31690 and AMD scoring 29846, a delta of just 5.8 percent. Data compression also remains relatively close: Intel scores 146143, AMD scores 135834, a delta of 7.1 percent. Random string sorting shows Intel at 17551 against AMD's 14431, a delta of 17.8 percent.

The overall benchmark averages reinforce this picture. The Ryzen 3 30 has an average benchmark score of 20137, while the Core 5 315 averages 18188. Despite the Intel chip having a lower average score, it wins every direct head-to-head comparison. This is because the AMD part's average is boosted by a very high score in the data compression test, while the Intel part posts more balanced but consistently higher results in the shared test suite. The Intel chip's percentile ranking is 72, while the AMD chip sits at 74, which reflects the differing composition of their benchmark pools rather than their direct performance relationship.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 uses the Zen 2 architecture, specifically the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel's own fabs. The process node difference is significant: Intel's 3 nm process is two full generations ahead of AMD's 6 nm node in terms of lithographic density.

Core counts differ as well. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 8 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to double its logical thread count. The Intel chip has 6 physical cores but only 6 threads, meaning it does not support hyper-threading. Despite having fewer threads, the Intel part still wins the multithreaded benchmark by 40.9 percent, which indicates that its per-core efficiency and clock speeds more than compensate for the lack of SMT.

Clock speeds favor Intel in boost behavior. The Ryzen 3 30 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Core 5 315 has a lower base clock of 1.50 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel chip's ability to reach 4.40 GHz explains part of its single-thread advantage. Cache configurations also differ sharply. The AMD chip uses a per-core L1 of 64 KB and per-core L2 of 512 KB, with 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has a total L1 of 192 KB, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache on the Intel part likely contributes to its stronger performance in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support is another differentiator. The AMD chip supports LPDDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only over a single-channel bus, with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The AMD part has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth, yet this does not translate into a benchmark win. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 3 with 4 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses the Radeon 610M, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core 5 315 wins in every measured category. There are no benchmark tests in the database where the AMD Ryzen 3 30 comes out ahead. The closest margin is integer math, where Intel leads by only 5.8 percent. This indicates that the AMD chip is relatively competitive in basic integer arithmetic, but it still does not win.

The Intel chip shows its largest advantages in floating-point math, physics, extended instructions, and prime number finding. These are workloads that stress raw compute pipelines, branch prediction, and SIMD execution. For users running scientific calculations, physics simulations, or encryption-heavy tasks, the data shows the Core 5 315 is the stronger choice.

The AMD chip's relative strength lies in its thread count and memory bandwidth. With 8 threads and a dual-channel memory bus delivering 88.0 GB/s, the Ryzen 3 30 is architecturally suited for memory-heavy multitasking. However, the benchmark results do not show this translating into a win in any recorded test. The Intel chip's 6 MB L3 cache and higher boost clock appear to overcome the AMD part's bandwidth advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.40 GHz for AMD, 1.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks differ: 4.10 GHz for AMD, 4.40 GHz for Intel. Both have a TDP of 15 watts. Sockets differ: AMD uses AMD Socket FT6, Intel uses Intel BGA 1516.

Process nodes differ: AMD is on 6 nm at TSMC, Intel is on 3 nm at Intel. Cache layouts differ: AMD uses per-core L1 of 64 KB and per-core L2 of 512 KB with 4 MB shared L3; Intel uses a total L1 of 192 KB and 2.5 MB L2 with 6 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD supports LPDDR5 dual-channel with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth; Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X single-channel with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe differs: AMD has Gen 3 with 4 lanes, Intel has Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD has Radeon 610M, Intel has Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $340. Both processors are locked, meaning neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both are mobile segment parts with active production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. AMD uses simultaneous multithreading, while Intel does not.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Intel also has a lower base clock of 1.50 GHz compared to AMD's 2.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has a dual-channel memory bus with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 315 uses a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. AMD supports LPDDR5, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in the passmark find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 112 and AMD scores 20, a delta of 82.1 percent in favor of Intel.

Q: What is the smallest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The smallest margin is in the passmark integer math test, where Intel scores 31690 and AMD scores 29846, a delta of 5.8 percent in favor of Intel.

Q: Does the AMD chip win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. The database records zero wins for the AMD Ryzen 3 30 across all eleven head-to-head benchmark tests. The Intel Core 5 315 wins every test.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 5 315 outperforms the AMD Ryzen 3 30 in every recorded head-to-head test. The Intel part leads by margins ranging from 5.8 percent in integer math to 82.1 percent in prime number finding. Even in multithreaded workloads, where the AMD chip has two additional threads, the Intel chip leads by 40.9 percent. The Intel chip's 3 nm process, higher boost clock, and larger L3 cache appear to be decisive factors.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 does have architectural advantages in memory bandwidth and thread count, but these do not produce a single benchmark win. Its average benchmark score of 20137 is higher than Intel's 18188, but that is a function of the different benchmark pools each processor was tested with, not a reflection of direct performance. The nearest rival data for the AMD chip lists the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U at a delta of -0.6 percent and the Intel Core i7-9700K at -0.7 percent, showing the AMD chip sits close to those parts. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9274F at a delta of 0 percent and the Intel Core i7-9700 at 0 percent.

For anyone choosing between these two processors based strictly on the recorded measurements, the Intel Core 5 315 is the clear pick. It delivers superior single-thread performance, superior multithreaded performance despite fewer threads, and dominant results in floating-point, encryption, and physics workloads. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 remains a viable part for systems where its dual-channel memory or 8-thread configuration matters, but the data shows it cannot match the Intel part in any direct comparison.