Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 115U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 3 100U claims only 3 victories. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

The Core Ultra 5 115U's largest advantages appear in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 8620 versus 7894, a lead of 8.4%. Floating point math follows closely, with the Core Ultra 5 115U posting 30538 against 28322, a 7.3% advantage. Data encryption shows a 5.6% gap (8606 versus 8128), while multithread and data compression trail at 3.9% and 3.8% respectively. Integer math sits at 3.6% ahead (41043 versus 39580).

Cinebench results are consistent but narrower. The Core Ultra 5 115U leads all six Cinebench tests by margins between 2.1% and 2.6%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the scores are 10855 versus 10624, a 2.1% gap. Single-core R23 shows 1532 versus 1499, a 2.2% difference. The pattern holds across R15 and R20, with the Core Ultra 5 115U always ahead by roughly 2 percentage points.

The Core 3 100U's wins are concentrated in two areas. The PassMark single-thread test shows a decisive 14.7% advantage: 3506 versus 3057. This is the largest margin in either direction across the entire benchmark suite. The other win comes in random string sorting, where the Core 3 100U scores 15191 against 15124, a slim 0.4% edge.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The Core Ultra 5 115U averages 16753 across all tests, while the Core 3 100U averages 16148, a difference of about 3.7%. Both processors sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier despite the Core Ultra 5 115U's consistent head-to-head advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The Core 3 100U uses Raptor Lake, built on a 10 nm process node codenamed Raptor Lake-U. The Core Ultra 5 115U uses Meteor Lake, built on a 7 nm process node. This node difference explains part of the performance gap, as the smaller process allows for more efficient transistor packing.

Core counts differ significantly. The Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The Core Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores and 10 threads. This extra headroom in both cores and threads contributes to the Core Ultra 5 115U's multicore wins.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Core 3 100U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The Core Ultra 5 115U has 112 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core. Both share 10 MB of L3 cache, so the total cache pool is identical at the last level, but the Core Ultra 5 115U has more fast cache closer to the cores.

Clock speeds show an interesting trade-off. The Core 3 100U has a base clock of 1.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 115U has a base clock of 1500.00 MHz (1.50 GHz) and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Core 3 100U has the higher boost ceiling by 0.5 GHz, which likely drives its single-thread win. The Core Ultra 5 115U has the higher base clock, which helps sustain all-core workloads.

Memory support differs. The Core 3 100U supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 115U supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard. The Core Ultra 5 115U also lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not recorded for the Core 3 100U. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

PCIe connectivity favors the Core Ultra 5 115U. It offers Gen 4 with 12 lanes from the CPU, while the Core 3 100U offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes. The integrated graphics units also differ: the Core 3 100U has UHD Graphics 64EU, while the Core Ultra 5 115U has Arc Xe-LPG 48EU.

Sockets are not interchangeable. The Core 3 100U uses Intel BGA 1744, while the Core Ultra 5 115U uses Intel BGA 2049. Both have a 15 W TDP and are unlocked multipliers are not available for either. Release dates differ by about a month: the Core Ultra 5 115U launched in December 2023, the Core 3 100U in January 2024.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 115U wins across the broad spectrum of compute tasks. Its 8 cores and 10 threads give it an edge in every Cinebench test, suggesting better performance in rendering and other heavily threaded workloads. PassMark data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and prime number finding all favor the Core Ultra 5 115U. This makes it the stronger choice for content creation, scientific computing, and any workload that can use more than 6 cores.

The Core 3 100U wins where single-thread speed matters most. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3506 against 3057 is a 14.7% advantage, a substantial gap. This suggests the Core 3 100U handles lightly threaded applications, legacy software, and tasks that depend on high clock speeds better. The boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.20 GHz supports this interpretation. The random string sorting win, though narrow at 0.4%, adds a small data-processing use case to its column.

For everyday productivity, the difference is modest. The Core Ultra 5 115U's 3.9% lead in PassMark multithread and 2.4% lead in physics translate to smoother multitasking and faster response in parallel workloads. The Core 3 100U's single-thread lead may be more noticeable in spreadsheet calculations, document processing, and web browsing, where single-core performance often dominates.

The data suggests a workload split: choose the Core Ultra 5 115U for rendering, compiling, or data analysis; choose the Core 3 100U for applications that cannot use more than a few threads and benefit from the highest possible clock speed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has an average benchmark score of 16753, while the Intel Core 3 100U averages 16148. The Core Ultra 5 115U is about 3.7% higher overall.

Q: Why does the Core 3 100U win the single-thread test by such a large margin?

A: The PassMark single-thread test shows the Core 3 100U scoring 3506 against 3057 for the Core Ultra 5 115U, a 14.7% advantage. The Core 3 100U has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 115U tops out at 4.20 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 3 100U supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 115U supports DDR5, with capacity depending on the motherboard. The Core Ultra 5 115U also has a listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The Core Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores and 10 threads. The Core Ultra 5 115U also has more L1 and L2 cache per core: 112 KB and 2 MB respectively, versus 80 KB and 1.25 MB.

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark tests?

A: The Core Ultra 5 115U wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests. The Core 3 100U wins 3 tests: PassMark single-thread (two entries) and random string sorting.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Their nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-10850H for the Core 3 100U and the Intel Core i5-1235U for the Core Ultra 5 115U.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U as the stronger overall processor. It wins the majority of benchmarks, has more cores and threads, more cache per core, a smaller 7 nm process node, faster base clock, and higher memory bandwidth. Its advantages in Cinebench multicore and PassMark extended instructions make it the better choice for multithreaded workloads.

The Intel Core 3 100U is the better choice for single-thread-bound tasks. Its 14.7% lead in PassMark single-thread and higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz give it a clear edge in applications that rely on one or two cores. For users running legacy software, basic office tasks, or workloads that do not scale across cores, the Core 3 100U may deliver snappier response.

The two processors share the same 15 W TDP, 10 MB L3 cache, and dual-channel memory bus. Both are active products in the mobile segment. The Core 3 100U has a launch MSRP of $426. The Core Ultra 5 115U does not have a recorded launch MSRP.

For most users, the Core Ultra 5 115U is the safer pick. Its consistent wins across 14 benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, show broader capability. The Core 3 100U is a niche pick for users who prioritize single-thread speed above all else and do not need the extra cores.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 100U | Intel Core Ultra 5 115U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 10 |

| Base Clock | 1.20 GHz | 1500.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 2049 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Meteor Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | Arc Xe-LPG 48EU |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2023-12-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRMYL | SRN6F |