AMD Ryzen 5 40 vs Intel Core i3-1315U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear overall winner, but not without notable counterpoints. The Intel Core i3-1315U wins 12 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 takes only 3. The most decisive result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel part scores 9374 against the AMD's 4841, a 48.4% advantage. This is the single largest margin in the entire comparison and establishes the Intel chip as the dominant multi-threaded performer.

The Intel Core i3-1315U also posts major wins in floating-point math, scoring 27012 versus 15194, a 43.8% lead. In the PassMark physics test, it scores 706 against 432, a 38.8% gap. Prime number finding shows a 51.2% advantage for Intel, with scores of 41 versus 20. These are not marginal differences; they represent substantial performance deltas in compute-heavy workloads.

Single-thread performance is another Intel stronghold. In PassMark single-thread, the Core i3-1315U scores 3380 against 2477, a 26.7% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core also favors Intel, 1323 versus 1150, a 13.1% margin. Interestingly, the picture flips in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins 165.5 to 133, a 24.4% advantage. This is the only single-core benchmark where AMD comes out ahead, and the margin is substantial.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 claims its other wins in data compression and random string sorting. In PassMark data compression, AMD scores 141533 against 126436, an 11.9% lead. In random string sorting, AMD wins 15124 to 14028, a 7.8% margin. These are meaningful wins in specific data-handling tasks, but they do not offset the broader Intel dominance.

The remaining Intel wins include data encryption (7583 versus 6646, a 12.4% lead), extended instructions (7413 versus 6437, a 13.2% lead), integer math (37644 versus 31598, a 16.1% lead), and PassMark multi-thread (11482 versus 9341, an 18.6% lead). The Intel part also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, 944 versus 790, a 16.3% margin. Across the board, Intel's advantage is consistent and often large.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has an average benchmark score of 15882, while the Intel Core i3-1315U has an average score of 15022. Despite losing most head-to-head tests, the AMD part carries a higher average in the database.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 5 40 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 sits near the AMD EPYC 75F3, which scores 15859 with a 0.1% delta, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U, which scores 15910 with a -0.2% delta. It also ranks close to the AMD EPYC 9354P (15826, a 0.4% delta) and the AMD EPYC 9334 (15940, a -0.4% delta).

Q: What is the Intel Core i3-1315U's standing among all CPUs?

A: The Intel part holds a 69th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 74F3 (14915, a 0.7% delta), the AMD EPYC 7702P (15130, a -0.7% delta), the Intel Core i7-9750H (14886, a 0.9% delta), and the Intel Core i3-10320 (14852, a 1.1% delta).

Q: In which benchmark does the AMD Ryzen 5 40 have its largest winning margin?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40's largest winning margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 165.5 against the Intel's 133, a 24.4% lead. Its other wins are in data compression (11.9% lead) and random string sorting (7.8% lead).

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i3-1315U have its largest winning margin?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U's largest winning margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 41 against 20, a 51.2% lead. Its second-largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a 48.4% lead.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the AMD Ryzen 5 40 and the Intel Core i3-1315U have the multiplier unlocked field set to false, meaning neither is multiplier-unlocked.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design families. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i3-1315U uses the Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. This process gap is significant: the AMD part is manufactured on a smaller node, which often enables better power efficiency per transistor, though the benchmark data does not directly measure efficiency.

Core configurations differ sharply. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i3-1315U has 6 cores and 8 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the AMD part matches the thread count through simultaneous multithreading. The Intel part's two extra cores likely contribute to its strong multi-core benchmark results, particularly the 48.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Cache layouts are also distinct. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i3-1315U features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel's larger L2 and L3 allocations provide more on-die storage for frequently accessed data, which may explain its advantage in several compute benchmarks.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD part supports LPDDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and a measured memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the database does not record a memory bandwidth figure for it. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core i3-1315U offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Intel's newer PCIe generation and double the lane count give it more headroom for high-speed storage and expansion devices.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD part includes the Radeon 610M. The Intel part includes the UHD Graphics 64EU. The database does not include graphics benchmarks for either, so no performance comparison can be made from the recorded data.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across several recorded specifications. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1315U has 6 cores and 8 threads. Base clock speeds are recorded as 2.80 GHz for AMD and 1200.00 MHz for Intel, though the Intel figure appears to be a low base clock typical of a mobile efficiency design. Boost clocks are 4.30 GHz for AMD and 4.50 GHz for Intel.

The socket types are different: AMD uses Socket FT6, while Intel uses BGA 1744. The process nodes are 6 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The AMD part has a die size of 100 mm², while Intel's die size is not recorded. The AMD cache structure is 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The Intel cache structure is 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 10 MB shared L3.

Memory support is a clear split: AMD supports LPDDR5 only, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded for AMD at 88.0 GB/s, with no figure recorded for Intel. PCIe support favors Intel: Gen 3 with 4 lanes for AMD versus Gen 4 with 8 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics differ as noted, with Radeon 610M on the AMD side and UHD Graphics 64EU on the Intel side.

Both processors have a TDP of 15, are in the mobile market segment, are marked as Active in production, and are not multiplier-unlocked. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP, while the Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309. The AMD part's release date is recorded as 2025-09-30, while the Intel part's release date is 2023-01-03. The AMD part's part number is unknown, while the Intel part's part number is SRMLV.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1315U is the clear winner for multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads. Its 48.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 43.8% lead in floating-point math, and 38.8% lead in physics all point to a processor that handles sustained parallel loads far better than the AMD part. The 51.2% lead in prime number finding reinforces this, as that test is heavily dependent on integer and algorithmic throughput. The Intel part also wins integer math by 16.1%, extended instructions by 13.2%, and data encryption by 12.4%. For anyone running rendering, scientific simulations, or intensive data processing, the Intel part is the stronger choice.

The Intel part also wins most single-thread tests. It leads by 26.7% in PassMark single-thread and by 13.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core. Its 16.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 18.6% lead in PassMark multi-thread further solidify its position in general productivity work. The only single-core test it loses is Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD part leads by 24.4%.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins in specific data-handling tasks. Its 11.9% lead in data compression and 7.8% lead in random string sorting suggest it has an edge in workloads that involve organizing or transforming data streams. These are not trivial tasks, but they are narrower in scope than the broad compute advantages held by Intel.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the Intel Core i3-1315U as the superior processor for most workloads. It wins 12 of 15 head-to-head tests, including all of the major multi-core and single-core benchmarks except Cinebench R15 single-core. Its advantages are often large, with multiple margins exceeding 40%. The Intel part also offers more cores, more cache, newer PCIe support, and dual memory type support. Its launch MSRP is $309.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 is the better choice for specific data-centric tasks. It wins data compression and random string sorting, and it delivers a strong Cinebench R15 single-core result. Its higher average benchmark score of 15882 versus Intel's 15022 is notable, though it reflects database-wide comparisons rather than the direct head-to-head results. The AMD part also uses a smaller 6 nm process and supports LPDDR5 memory with a recorded 88.0 GB/s bandwidth.

For a buyer prioritizing raw compute performance, rendering, physics, or encryption, the Intel Core i3-1315U is the clear pick. For workloads centered on data compression and string sorting, or for those who value the AMD part's higher average score and smaller process node, the AMD Ryzen 5 40 has its place. The data, however, is unambiguous: the Intel part dominates the head-to-head comparison.