AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a comprehensive sweep for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with zero wins for the Intel Core 5 315. The largest margins appear in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark integer math, the AMD part scores 179,727 against 31,690 for the Intel part, a 467.1% advantage. Prime number finding shows a 385.7% gap, with scores of 544 and 112, respectively. Data compression follows closely at 368.8%, where the AMD processor records 685,074 versus 146,143.

Rendering benchmarks paint a consistent picture. Cinebench R23 multicore gives the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D a score of 47,737, while the Intel Core 5 315 manages 12,981, a 267.7% difference. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multicore: 20,049 against 5,452, a 267.7% delta. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 4,811 versus 1,308, a 267.8% gap. The single-core variants of these tests are equally lopsided. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 6,739 versus 1,832, a 267.8% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core records 2,830 against 769, a 268% difference, and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 679 versus 184, a 269% gap.

PassMark multithread results give the AMD chip 56,154 against 15,272, a 267.7% lead. Physics simulation shows 5,340 versus 1,163, a 359.2% margin. Floating-point math records 119,622 versus 42,441, a 181.9% advantage, the smallest multicore gap in the set. Extended instructions score 55,426 for the AMD processor and 13,143 for the Intel processor, a 321.7% difference. Random string sorting gives 71,864 versus 17,551, a 309.5% margin, and data encryption shows 33,282 versus 11,119, a 199.3% gap.

The closest contest appears in single-threaded PassMark testing. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 4,646, while the Intel Core 5 315 scores 4,021, a 15.5% lead. This remains a clear win, but the margin is far smaller than in parallel workloads. The database also lists a duplicate PassMark single-thread entry with identical scores, confirming the result.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It houses 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel, with 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The process nodes differ by a single nanometer, but the core and thread counts create the dominant performance gap.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. The AMD processor provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a 128 MB L3 pool. The Intel processor lists 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip therefore has over 20 times the L3 capacity, which directly supports the large data-compression and encryption advantages seen in the benchmarks.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD part supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel part supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but over a single-channel bus, with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. PCIe connectivity shows the AMD processor offering Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while the Intel processor provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ in branding. The AMD processor includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel processor includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Manufacturing details are incomplete for the Intel part: the database lists no transistor count or die size. The AMD processor records 16,630 million transistors across a 2x 70.6 mm² die configuration.

Socket and market positioning show divergent targets. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5 and is classified as a desktop part. The Intel processor uses Intel BGA 1516 and is classified as mobile. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel multiplier is locked. Release dates differ by more than a year: the AMD part entered production in January 2025, while the Intel part is dated April 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads in every recorded single-thread test. PassMark single-thread shows 4,646 versus 4,021, a 15.5% margin. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 6,739 versus 1,832, a 267.8% gap.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: The AMD processor leads by roughly 267.7% to 267.8% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. PassMark multithread shows the same 267.7% margin.

Q: What explains the massive difference in integer math performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 179,727 in PassMark integer math versus 31,690 for the Intel Core 5 315, a 467.1% gap. The 12-core/24-thread configuration with 128 MB of L3 cache versus 6 cores/6 threads and 6 MB of L3 is the primary factor.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any benchmark at all?

A: No. The head-to-head data records 17 benchmarks, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins all 17. The Intel Core 5 315 records zero wins.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD processor has an average benchmark score of 54,762, placing it in the 91st percentile among all CPUs. The Intel processor has an average score of 18,188, placing it in the 72nd percentile. The AMD average is roughly three times higher.

Q: What are the closest rivals for each processor?

A: For the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D, the nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF with an average score of 55,093, a 0.6% difference. For the Intel Core 5 315, the nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 9274F with an average score of 18,189, a 0% difference.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D | Intel Core 5 315 |

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

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 6 |

| Base clock | 4.40 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Not listed |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Wildcat Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 cache | 128 MB | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production status | Active | Active |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $599 | $340 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000001368 | SAEFC |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is defined by the scale of its advantage rather than by any Intel victory. In heavily parallel workloads, the AMD processor is in a different performance class. Cinebench multicore tests show margins near 268%, and PassMark integer math exceeds 467%. For users running rendering, scientific computation, or data processing that scales across threads, the 12-core/24-thread Zen 5 design with 128 MB of L3 provides a decisive edge. The 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth support sustained throughput in such environments.

The Intel Core 5 315 narrows the gap in single-threaded PassMark testing, where the 15.5% delta is the smallest recorded. Its 3 nm process and 6 MB of shared L3 still deliver respectable single-core results, but the 4,021 PassMark score trails the AMD part's 4,646. The Intel chip also draws only 15 W of TDP against 120 W for the AMD part, which positions it for low-power mobile applications. Its support for LPDDR5X memory and Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores suit compact, battery-conscious designs. The BGA 1516 socket and locked multiplier further indicate an integrated, non-upgradable platform.

The database shows the AMD processor in the 91st percentile of all CPUs with an average score of 54,762, while the Intel processor sits in the 72nd percentile with 18,188. The nearest rivals for the AMD part, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF and 245K, score 55,093 and 54,053, respectively, showing the AMD chip competes at the top of the desktop stack. The Intel Core 5 315's nearest rivals, including the AMD EPYC 9274F and Intel Core i7-9700, all cluster near 18,180, indicating it performs in the mid-range mobile tier. The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D dominates every metric, with the Intel Core 5 315 offering only a fraction of the multithreaded capability at a substantially lower power envelope.