Intel Core 5 211TE vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a decisive picture: the Intel Core 5 315 wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 211TE takes only 2. The largest margin appears in the PassMark single-thread tests, where the Core 5 315 scores 4021 against 1408 for the 211TE, a 65% advantage. This is not a narrow gap; it indicates a fundamentally different single-core performance class.

Looking at the Cinebench suite, the Core 5 315 leads consistently by 6% in every test, whether single-core or multi-core. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 315 scores 12981 versus 12201 for the 211TE. The single-core R23 result shows 1832 against 1722. These are uniform margins, suggesting the 315's architectural efficiency overcomes its lower core count in these workloads.

The PassMark suite reveals wider disparities. Floating point math shows the 315 at 42441 versus 26150 for the 211TE, a 38.4% lead. Extended instructions favor the 315 by 34.5% (13143 vs 8615). Data encryption shows a 35% gap (11119 vs 7231), and prime number finding shows 112 versus 72, a 35.7% difference. These are substantial computational advantages, not marginal ones.

The 211TE does claim two wins. In PassMark integer math, it scores 33991 against 31690 for the 315, a 7.3% lead. In PassMark physics, the 211TE scores 1278 versus 1163, a 9.9% advantage. These wins are narrow relative to the 315's victories, but they point to specific strengths in integer-heavy and physics-simulation workloads.

The multi-threaded PassMark test shows the 315 ahead by 23.5% (15272 vs 11685). Random string sorting favors the 315 by 15.5% (17551 vs 14838). Data compression shows a 8.7% lead for the 315 (146143 vs 133434). These results indicate that despite having 4 fewer cores and 10 fewer threads, the 315 delivers superior throughput in most parallel workloads.

The average benchmark scores confirm the overall positioning. The 211TE has an average benchmark score of 15370, while the 315 reaches 18188, an 18.3% difference. The percentile rankings also differ: the 211TE sits at the 69th percentile of all CPUs, while the 315 sits at the 72nd. The nearest rivals for the 211TE include the AMD EPYC 7543 (delta -0.7%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U (delta -2%). The 315's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9274F (delta 0%) and the Intel Core i7-9700 (delta 0%), placing it in a higher performance tier.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear conclusion. The Intel Core 5 315 outperforms the Intel Core 5 211TE in the overwhelming majority of recorded benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests and most PassMark tests. The 315's single-thread score of 4021 is more than double the 211TE's 1408, a gap that dominates any interpretation of the results. For users prioritizing raw computational speed, the 315 is the superior processor.

The 211TE does hold specific advantages. Its integer math score (33991) exceeds the 315 (31690) by 7.3%, and its physics score (1278) tops the 315 (1163) by 9.9%. These wins are isolated, however. The 211TE also carries a higher TDP (45 watts versus 15 watts), which suggests it is designed for a different power envelope. The 315's lower power draw combined with higher performance in most tests indicates a more efficient architecture.

The launch MSRP for the 211TE is $221, and for the 315 it is $340. The 315 commands a higher price, but the benchmark data shows a substantial performance premium in return. The 315's 72nd percentile ranking versus the 211TE's 69th percentile confirms its higher standing among all CPUs in the database.

For buyers who need the specific integer or physics strengths of the 211TE, it remains a viable option. For all other measured workloads, the 315 delivers more. The consistency of the 315's wins, across single-core, multi-core, encryption, compression, and floating-point tasks, makes it the more balanced and capable processor according to the recorded data.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 315 dominates in single-threaded performance. The PassMark single-thread score of 4021 against 1408 is the largest recorded gap, and the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests all show the 315 ahead by 6%. This makes the 315 the clear choice for applications that rely heavily on per-core speed, such as lightly threaded productivity tasks or interactive workloads.

The 315 also wins in most multi-threaded scenarios. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the 315 at 12981 versus 12201, and PassMark multithread shows 15272 versus 11685. Data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, and random string sorting all favor the 315 by margins ranging from 8.7% to 38.4%. These are the workloads that benefit from efficient instruction execution and modern microarchitecture, even with fewer cores.

The Intel Core 5 211TE wins in integer math and physics simulation. The integer math advantage of 7.3% suggests the 211TE's larger L3 cache (20 MB shared versus 6 MB shared) or its 10-core, 16-thread configuration helps in certain integer-heavy code paths. The physics score advantage of 9.9% points to specific simulation or physics-engine workloads where the 211TE's thread count may compensate for lower per-core efficiency.

The 211TE also has the advantage of a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1700) versus the mobile BGA 1516 socket of the 315. This makes the 211TE a drop-in option for existing LGA 1700 motherboards, while the 315 is soldered and mobile-oriented. For users building or upgrading a desktop system with that socket, the 211TE offers an easier integration path, even if its benchmark scores are lower.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 315. Its PassMark single-thread score is 4021 versus 1408 for the 211TE, a 65% advantage. All Cinebench single-core tests also show the 315 leading by 6%.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Despite fewer cores and threads, the 315 wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: What is the difference in cache sizes?

A: The 211TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The 315 has 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 315 does not.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications?

A: The 211TE has dual-channel memory support with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, supporting DDR4 and DDR5. The 315 has single-channel memory support with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The 211TE has an average benchmark score of 15370, while the 315 scores 18188. The 315 sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 69th percentile for the 211TE.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel lines. The Intel Core 5 211TE belongs to the Bartlett Lake generation, fabricated on a 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². The Intel Core 5 315 belongs to the Wildcat Lake generation, fabricated on a 3 nm process with no die size recorded. The process node difference is significant: 3 nm versus 10 nm indicates a much denser and potentially more power-efficient transistor layout for the 315.

The 211TE uses 10 cores with 16 threads, implying a hybrid or hyper-threaded design. The 315 uses 6 cores with 6 threads, suggesting no hyper-threading and a simpler core arrangement. The 315's cache structure is monolithic per the data: 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 as total values, plus 6 MB of shared L3. The 211TE lists L1 as 80 KB per core and L2 as 1.25 MB per core, with 20 MB of shared L3.

Memory support differs fundamentally. The 211TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The 211TE also supports ECC memory, while the 315 does not. PCIe connectivity differs: the 211TE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 315 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 211TE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the 315 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The 315's graphics are from a newer generation, but the benchmark data does not include GPU tests.

The sockets are distinct: the 211TE uses Intel Socket 1700 for desktop, while the 315 uses Intel BGA 1516 for mobile. The 211TE has a TDP of 45 watts, the 315 has a TDP of 15 watts. This threefold difference in power envelope explains the 315's mobile orientation and likely contributes to its efficiency advantages.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several direct contrasts. The core count differs: 10 for the 211TE versus 6 for the 315. Thread counts are 16 versus 6. Base clocks are 1.70 GHz for the 211TE and 1.50 GHz for the 315. Boost clocks are 4.80 GHz versus 4.40 GHz, respectively.

TDP values are 45 watts for the 211TE and 15 watts for the 315. The socket types are Intel Socket 1700 versus Intel BGA 1516. Process nodes are 10 nm versus 3 nm. Die size is recorded only for the 211TE at 215 mm²; no die size is listed for the 315.

Cache specifications differ in structure. The 211TE lists L1 as 80 KB per core, L2 as 1.25 MB per core, and L3 as 20 MB shared. The 315 lists L1 as 192 KB, L2 as 2.5 MB, and L3 as 6 MB shared.

Memory support shows DDR4 and DDR5 for the 211TE versus DDR5 and LPDDR5X for the 315. Memory bus is dual-channel for the 211TE and single-channel for the 315. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s. ECC support is present only on the 211TE.

PCIe generations differ: Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the 211TE, Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the 315. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. Release dates are January 2025 for the 211TE and April 2026 for the 315. Launch MSRP values are $221 and $340, respectively. Part numbers are SRQDL for the 211TE and SAEFC for the 315. Both processors have locked multipliers and are currently Active in production status.