Intel Arc G3 EXTREME vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins every multi-core benchmark in the database. Its largest multi-core margin is in Passmark integer math, where it scores 71164 versus 31690, a 124.6% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 14655 against 12981, a 12.9% lead.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME leads all single-thread tests, but the gap is much smaller than in multi-core. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1862 versus 1832, only 1.6% ahead. Passmark single-thread shows 4293 versus 4021, a 6.8% difference.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Neither processor uses simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME supports LPDDR5X only, with dual-channel memory and 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 315 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but uses single-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What integrated graphics does each CPU include?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME includes Arc B390 graphics. The Intel Core 5 315 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

Q: Where does each chip sit in the overall performance percentile?

A: The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME ranks in the 85th percentile of all CPUs tested. The Intel Core 5 315 ranks in the 72nd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME uses the Panther Lake codename, while the Intel Core 5 315 uses Wildcat Lake. Both are fabricated on Intel's 3 nm process node, and both are produced by Intel's own foundry.

The core counts differ substantially. The Arc G3 EXTREME packs 14 cores with 14 threads, while the Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Neither chip supports hyper-threading, so threads equal cores in both cases.

Cache configurations also diverge. The Arc G3 EXTREME lists L1 cache as 192 KB per core, L2 as 2.5 MB per core, and a shared L3 of 18 MB. The Core 5 315 lists L1 as 192 KB, L2 as 2.5 MB, and shared L3 of 6 MB. The Arc G3 EXTREME therefore has three times the shared L3 capacity.

Clock speeds favor the larger chip. The Arc G3 EXTREME has a 1.90 GHz base clock and 4.70 GHz boost, versus 1.50 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost for the Core 5 315. Both chips are locked, with no unlocked multiplier.

Memory architecture is a major differentiator. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses dual-channel LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 5 315 uses single-channel memory, supporting both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. That is less than half the bandwidth of the larger chip.

PCIe support also differs. The Arc G3 EXTREME provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 315 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well, with Arc B390 on the Arc G3 EXTREME versus Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores on the Core 5 315.

Sockets are not interchangeable. The Arc G3 EXTREME uses Intel BGA 2540, while the Core 5 315 uses Intel BGA 1516. Both are mobile parts with active production status. The Core 5 315 has a launch MSRP of $340; the Arc G3 EXTREME has no listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear hierarchy. The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons in the database. The Intel Core 5 315 wins none.

For users who need maximum throughput in threaded workloads, the Arc G3 EXTREME is the obvious choice. Its data compression score of 307094 versus 146143 represents a 110.1% lead. Integer math shows a 124.6% advantage. These are not marginal differences; they are near or above double the performance.

The Core 5 315 remains competitive only in single-threaded tasks, where its scores trail by roughly 2% to 7%. That is a small gap, but the Arc G3 EXTREME still wins every such test. The Core 5 315's only advantages are architectural, such as support for both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, a lower 15 W TDP versus 25 W, and a smaller physical footprint via a different socket. For pure performance, the data selects the Arc G3 EXTREME in every measured category.

The average benchmark score confirms the scale of the difference. The Arc G3 EXTREME averages 36699, while the Core 5 315 averages 18188. That is roughly double the overall performance. The nearest rivals for the Arc G3 EXTREME, such as the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 at 36938, show it sits within 1% of that chip. The Core 5 315's nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i7-9700 at 18180, show it is essentially tied with a much older desktop part.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors in the database:

• Cores: 14 (Arc G3 EXTREME) versus 6 (Core 5 315)
• Threads: 14 versus 6
• Base clock: 1.90 GHz versus 1.50 GHz
• Boost clock: 4.70 GHz versus 4.40 GHz
• TDP: 25 W versus 15 W
• Socket: Intel BGA 2540 versus Intel BGA 1516
• Codename: Panther Lake versus Wildcat Lake
• Generation: Arc G3 (Panther Lake) versus Core 5 (Wildcat Lake)
• L3 cache: 18 MB shared versus 6 MB shared
• Memory support: LPDDR5X only versus DDR5 and LPDDR5X
• Memory bus: Dual-channel versus single-channel
• Memory bandwidth: 136.5 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 5, 4 lanes versus Gen 4, 6 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Arc B390 versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe)
• Release date: 2026-05-27 versus 2026-04-15
• Launch MSRP: None listed versus $340
• Part number: SA4R3 versus SAEFC

Fields that are identical include manufacturer (Intel), process node (3 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (192 KB), L2 cache (2.5 MB), ECC support (false), market segment (Mobile), production status (Active), and multiplier unlocked (false).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins every recorded head-to-head test. The largest margins appear in compute-heavy Passmark workloads. Integer math shows 71164 versus 31690, a 124.6% delta. Prime number finding scores 248 versus 112, a 121.4% delta. Physics simulation scores 2515 versus 1163, a 116.3% delta.

Memory-sensitive tasks follow the same pattern. Data encryption scores 23881 versus 11119, a 114.8% delta. Random string sorting scores 37331 versus 17551, a 112.7% delta. Data compression scores 307094 versus 146143, a 110.1% delta. Floating point math scores 86929 versus 42441, a 104.8% delta.

Cinebench multi-core results show a similar trend. R15 multi-core scores 2192 versus 1308, a 67.6% delta. R20 multi-core scores 10945 versus 5452, a 100.8% delta. R23 multi-core scores 14655 versus 12981, a 12.9% delta. The R23 gap is notably smaller than the other multi-core tests, suggesting the Core 5 315 scales better under that specific workload.

Single-core results are much closer. Cinebench R15 single-core scores 267 versus 184, a 45.1% delta. R20 single-core scores 1545 versus 769, a 100.9% delta. R23 single-core scores 1862 versus 1832, a 1.6% delta. Passmark single-thread scores 4293 versus 4021, a 6.8% delta. The R20 single-core gap of 100.9% stands out as an outlier compared to the other single-thread tests, which show far smaller differences.

The extended instructions test shows an 82.7% delta, with scores of 24017 versus 13143. Passmark multithread shows a 100.8% delta, with scores of 30659 versus 15272. Across all 17 tests, the Arc G3 EXTREME holds the lead, with deltas ranging from 1.6% (R23 single-core) to 124.6% (integer math).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Arc G3 EXTREME wins in every measured category, but the magnitude of the win varies by workload type.

For heavily threaded productivity tasks, the Arc G3 EXTREME dominates. Data compression, encryption, integer math, floating point math, physics simulation, and random string sorting all show deltas above 100%. These are tasks that scale with core count and cache capacity, and the Arc G3 EXTREME has both: 14 cores versus 6, and 18 MB L3 versus 6 MB.

For multi-core rendering, the Arc G3 EXTREME leads but by a smaller margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows only a 12.9% delta, which is the smallest multi-core gap in the dataset. This indicates the Core 5 315 handles the R23 workload relatively efficiently despite having fewer cores.

For single-threaded tasks, the Arc G3 EXTREME retains the win, but the margin shrinks dramatically. R23 single-core shows a 1.6% delta, and Passmark single-thread shows a 6.8% delta. These results suggest the Core 5 315 has competitive per-core performance, close enough that the Arc G3 EXTREME's higher boost clock (4.70 GHz versus 4.40 GHz) only provides a modest edge.

The Core 5 315 does not win any benchmark, but it does offer advantages outside raw performance. Its 15 W TDP is lower than the Arc G3 EXTREME's 25 W, which matters for fanless or passively cooled mobile designs. It also supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, giving system designers more memory flexibility. Its single-channel memory bus limits bandwidth to 59.7 GB/s, however, which will constrain memory-heavy workloads regardless of core count.

The Arc G3 EXTREME is the pick for anyone prioritizing compute throughput, especially in encryption, compression, and math-heavy applications. The Core 5 315 is better suited to low-power mobile systems where the smaller thermal envelope and dual memory support are the deciding factors. But for performance, the database shows a single winner across all 17 recorded tests.