AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a decisive overall win for the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT, which takes 15 of the 17 recorded comparisons. The single exception is in single-threaded PassMark tests, where the Intel Core 5 315 leads by a consistent margin.

The most dramatic gap appears in PassMark integer math. The AMD part scores 177,566 against 31,690 for the Intel chip, a delta of 460.3%. That is the largest percentage difference in the entire comparison. Data compression also shows a massive split: 597,862 versus 146,143, a 309.1% advantage for the AMD processor. Random string sorting follows the same pattern, with 62,537 against 17,551, a 256.3% delta.

Encryption workloads show a similar story. The AMD chip records 37,814 in PassMark data encryption, while the Intel part manages 11,119, a 240.1% difference. Extended instruction throughput favors AMD as well, with 39,141 versus 13,143, a 197.8% gap.

Cinebench results are consistent across every version. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD scores 3,767 versus 1,308, a 188% delta. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical in percentage terms: 531 against 184, a 188.6% gap. R20 multicore shows 15,696 versus 5,452, a 187.9% delta. The R20 single-core result is 2,215 versus 769, exactly 188%. R23 multicore delivers 37,373 against 12,981, again 187.9%. The R23 single-core score is 5,276 versus 1,832, a 188% delta.

PassMark multithread shows 43,810 for AMD against 15,272 for Intel, a 186.9% difference. Floating-point math gives AMD 99,398 versus 42,441, a 134.2% edge. Prime number finding is the narrowest win for AMD, with 205 versus 112, an 83% delta. Physics simulation also favors AMD, but by the smallest margin on the board: 1,715 versus 1,163, a 47.5% difference.

The Intel Core 5 315 wins both PassMark single-thread entries with identical scores of 4,021 versus 3,474, a 13.6% advantage. This is the only area where the Intel part shows superiority.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT wins every heavily multi-threaded and throughput-oriented test. Cinebench multicore results across R15, R20, and R23 all land in the 187.9% to 188% delta range, which indicates that the AMD part scales far better when all cores are engaged. PassMark multithread confirms this with a 186.9% lead. The data compression, encryption, and integer math results all show gaps larger than 200%, which points to a strong advantage in compute-heavy and data-processing workloads.

The Intel Core 5 315 wins exclusively in single-threaded PassMark performance. Its scores of 4,021 in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread give it a 13.6% edge over the AMD chip. This is a real advantage in lightly threaded tasks, but it does not translate into wins in any Cinebench single-core test. The Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core results all favor AMD by roughly 188%. That discrepancy suggests the Intel part's PassMark single-thread advantage is specific to that benchmark's workload, not a general single-core superiority.

For use-case analysis, the AMD chip dominates rendering, compilation, scientific computing, and any workload that can use more than a few threads. The Intel part is better suited for tasks that are strictly single-threaded and where the PassMark single-thread metric is representative. The data shows no other category where the Intel processor comes out ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, built on the Zen 3 architecture with the Vermeer codename. It belongs to the 5000 series and the Ryzen 9 generation. The Intel Core 5 315 uses a 3 nm process from Intel's own foundry, based on the Wildcat Lake codename and the Core 5 generation.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part has 6 cores and 6 threads. This explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap. The AMD processor also has a higher base clock at 3.30 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, and a higher boost clock at 4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz.

Cache configurations are very different. The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip lists 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's larger L3 cache is a major factor in its data-heavy workload performance.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD processor uses DDR4 with a dual-channel memory bus and 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. Despite the higher bandwidth figure on the Intel part, the dual-channel configuration of the AMD chip provides more memory parallelism. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD chip offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Intel chip offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The AMD part has no integrated graphics, while the Intel part includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. This makes the Intel chip suitable for systems without a discrete GPU, while the AMD chip requires a separate graphics card.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, making it suitable for overclocking. The Intel processor has a locked multiplier. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516, which is a soldered mobile socket. Market segments reflect this: the AMD chip is a desktop part, while the Intel chip is a mobile part.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT for almost any performance-oriented use case. The 16-core, 32-thread configuration with 64 MB of L3 cache delivers multi-threaded scores that are roughly 188% higher in Cinebench tests and up to 460% higher in PassMark integer math. The AMD part also holds a 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs, compared to the 72nd percentile for the Intel part.

The Intel Core 5 315 has one clear strength: PassMark single-thread performance. Its 4,021 score beats the AMD part's 3,474 by 13.6%. That advantage is real but isolated. It does not carry over to Cinebench single-core tests, where AMD wins by about 188%. The Intel part also has integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks, making it a viable option for low-power or integrated systems.

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT is the appropriate choice for workloads that demand high core counts, large caches, and sustained multi-threaded throughput. The Intel Core 5 315 is the better option only for scenarios where the specific PassMark single-thread metric is the primary criterion, or where the integrated Xe3 graphics and mobile form factor are required. The average benchmark scores confirm the overall hierarchy: 50,718 for the AMD part versus 18,188 for the Intel part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How large is the L3 cache on each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT scores 37,373 against 12,981 for the Intel Core 5 315, a delta of 187.9%.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 315 win any benchmark?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 wins the PassMark single-thread tests with a score of 4,021 versus 3,474, a 13.6% advantage.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus. The Intel Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT | Intel Core 5 315 |

|-------|--------------------|------------------|

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Not specified |

| Codename | Vermeer | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 4, 6 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $349 | $340 |