Intel Core 3 N355 vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data places the Intel Core 5 315 firmly ahead of the Intel Core 3 N355 in nearly every measured workload. The Core 5 315 wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 18188 against 13492 for the Core 3 N355. That places the Core 5 315 at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 3 N355 sits at the 68th percentile. The performance gap is substantial, particularly in multi-threaded rendering tasks where the Core 5 315 delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12981 versus 5262 for the Core 3 N355, a difference of 59.5 percent.

The Core 3 N355 holds exactly one advantage in the recorded data: PassMark integer math, where it scores 33894 against 31690, a 7 percent lead. That single result does little to offset the broader picture. The Core 5 315 leads by double digits in 15 of the 17 comparisons, with margins ranging from 8.7 percent in Cinebench R15 single-core to 75.9 percent in PassMark prime number finding. For buyers prioritizing raw compute throughput, the Core 5 315 is the clear choice. The Core 3 N355 only makes sense for workloads dominated by integer arithmetic, where its modest lead could matter in specific embedded or mobile scenarios. Its lower average score and lower percentile ranking indicate it is the weaker overall processor.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core 5 315 in multi-core rendering?

A: The Core 5 315 scores 12981 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Core 3 N355 scores 5262. That translates to a 59.5 percent advantage for the Core 5 315. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap narrows slightly to 33.7 percent, with scores of 5452 and 3612 respectively.

Q: Does the Core 3 N355 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, one. The Core 3 N355 scores 33894 in PassMark integer math, beating the Core 5 315's 31690 by 7 percent. Every other recorded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison goes to the Core 5 315.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The Core 5 315 posts a PassMark single-thread score of 4021, which is 46.5 percent higher than the Core 3 N355's 2153. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 315 scores 1832 versus 1039, a 43.3 percent lead. The smallest single-thread gap appears in Cinebench R15, where the Core 5 315 leads by only 8.7 percent (184 versus 168).

Q: How do the two processors compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both use a single-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core 5 315 boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Core 3 N355 boosts to 3.90 GHz. The Core 3 N355 has a higher base clock at 1.90 GHz versus 1.50 GHz for the Core 5 315.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The Intel Core 3 N355 was released on 2025-01-06. The Intel Core 5 315 has a release date of 2026-04-15. Both are currently listed as Active in production status.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. Its generation is listed as Core 3 (Alder Lake-N), indicating a connection to the Alder Lake-N family. The Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process node, also at Intel. The generation is listed as Core 5 (Wildcat Lake). The process node difference is significant: the Core 5 315 uses a much smaller 3 nm process, which contributes to its higher performance despite having fewer cores.

Core configuration diverges as well. The Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Neither processor supports simultaneous multithreading, as both have equal core and thread counts. The Core 5 315 compensates for its lower core count with a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 3.90 GHz, and its 3 nm process allows for greater efficiency per core.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 3 N355 provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 315 provides 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 315 doubles the L1 cache per core and adds 0.5 MB more L2, while both share the same 6 MB L3.

The integrated graphics differ completely. The Core 3 N355 uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 5 315 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. This represents a generational shift in the graphics architecture, although the benchmark data does not include GPU-specific tests.

PCIe support also differs. The Core 3 N355 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 315 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The Core 5 315 doubles the PCIe generation but provides fewer lanes. Socket compatibility differs as well: the Core 3 N355 uses Intel BGA 1264, and the Core 5 315 uses Intel BGA 1516, so they are not interchangeable on the same motherboard.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear divergence between the two processors. The Core 3 N355 has 8 cores and 8 threads; the Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clock favors the Core 3 N355 at 1.90 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, but boost clock favors the Core 5 315 at 4.40 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. Both have a TDP of 15 watts.

Memory support differs: the Core 3 N355 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, while the Core 5 315 supports only DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Core 5 315 achieves a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, significantly higher than the Core 3 N355's 38.4 GB/s. Both use single-channel memory buses, and neither supports ECC memory.

The Core 3 N355 is built on a 10 nm process; the Core 5 315 is built on a 3 nm process. Cache specifications differ in L1 and L2: the Core 3 N355 has 96 KB per core L1 and 2 MB shared L2, while the Core 5 315 has 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2. Both share 6 MB L3 cache.

The Core 5 315 has a launch MSRP of $340. The Core 3 N355 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Core 5 315 carries the part number SAEFC, while the Core 3 N355 carries SRPNT. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 3 N355 released on 2025-01-06, and the Core 5 315 released on 2026-04-15.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the comparison appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 5 315 scores 112 against 27 for the Core 3 N355, a 75.9 percent advantage. The Core 5 315 also dominates in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 12981 versus 5262, a 59.5 percent lead. PassMark extended instructions shows a 54.6 percent gap (13143 versus 5968), and PassMark floating point math shows a 46.5 percent gap (42441 versus 22695).

The Core 5 315 delivers a 46.5 percent lead in both PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread, scoring 4021 in each against 2153 for the Core 3 N355. PassMark physics shows a 46.3 percent gap (1163 versus 625). Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 43.3 percent lead for the Core 5 315 (1832 versus 1039). Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 33.8 percent gap (769 versus 509), and Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 33.7 percent gap (5452 versus 3612). PassMark multithread shows a 33.4 percent gap (15272 versus 10174).

Smaller but still decisive margins appear in PassMark data encryption, where the Core 5 315 leads by 27 percent (11119 versus 8121), and PassMark data compression, where it leads by 19.6 percent (146143 versus 117435). PassMark random string sorting shows a 16.2 percent gap (17551 versus 14706). Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 37.2 percent gap (1308 versus 822), while Cinebench R15 single-core shows the narrowest Core 5 315 win at 8.7 percent (184 versus 168).

The Core 3 N355's only win comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 33894 against 31690. That 7 percent margin is the sole bright spot for the older, larger-process node part. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Core 5 315 wins 16, with an average benchmark score of 18188 placing it alongside rivals such as the AMD EPYC 9274F and Intel Core i7-9700, both at 0 percent delta. The Core 3 N355's average score of 13492 places it near the Intel Core i3-12100F at 0 percent delta and the Intel Core i5-9500 at 0.3 percent delta. Those nearest-rival comparisons confirm that the Core 5 315 operates in a higher performance class entirely.