Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

The Intel Core 5 220H and Intel Core 5 315 are both mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows they are built for very different workloads. The 220H, a Raptor Lake part with 12 cores and 16 threads, dominates in most multi-threaded tasks. The 315, a Wildcat Lake chip with 6 cores and 6 threads, counters with a decisive win in single-threaded PassMark testing and a notable Cinebench R23 multicore result. This analysis uses recorded measurements to break down where each processor excels.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking split in the data appears in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 220H scores 1835 against the 315's 1308, a 40.3% advantage. The gap widens in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the 220H's 7812 beats the 315's 5452 by 43.3%. The R15 singlecore test shows a similar story, with the 220H leading 262 to 184, a 42.4% margin. The R20 singlecore result repeats that exact 43.3% delta, with scores of 1102 and 769.

The pattern reverses in Cinebench R23. The 315 delivers 12981 in multicore, which is 13.7% ahead of the 220H's 11198. This is the largest Cinebench win for the 315 in either direction. The R23 singlecore test is nearly a tie, with the 220H edging out the 315 by just 1.1%, scoring 1853 versus 1832.

PassMark testing reinforces the 220H's multi-threaded dominance. The integer math test shows a massive 132.1% lead for the 220H, with scores of 73555 versus 31690. Data compression goes to the 220H at 247921 against 146143, a 69.6% difference. Random string sorting favors the 220H by 62%, scoring 28438 versus 17551. The multithread test shows the 220H ahead by 43.3%, matching the Cinebench R20 multicore delta, with scores of 21884 and 15272. Data encryption sees the 220H at 15216 versus 11119, a 36.8% win. Physics testing gives the 220H a 27.1% edge, 1478 to 1163. Floating point math goes to the 220H by 21.7%, scoring 51671 against 42441. Extended instructions favor the 220H by 11.4%, with 14642 versus 13143.

The 315 takes the PassMark single thread test decisively, scoring 4021 against the 220H's 3405, a 15.3% advantage. It also wins PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 112 versus 82, a 26.8% margin. Across all head-to-head benchmarks, the 220H wins 13 tests and the 315 wins 4.

Where Each One Wins

The 220H is the clear choice for heavily threaded workloads. Its wins in Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore, plus the large margins in PassMark integer math, data compression, and multithread, indicate strength in rendering, encoding, and general productivity tasks that use many cores. The 132.1% lead in integer math is particularly strong, suggesting the 220H handles arithmetic-heavy operations far better than the 315. The 69.6% win in data compression points to advantages in archiving and file management workloads.

The 315 shows its strength in single-threaded performance. The 15.3% lead in PassMark single thread is the clearest signal, and the 26.8% win in find prime numbers reinforces that pattern. The Cinebench R23 multicore result for the 315, at 13.7% ahead of the 220H, is an outlier that may reflect a workload where the 315's newer architecture scales better with fewer cores. The near-tie in Cinebench R23 singlecore, with the 220H ahead by just 1.1%, suggests the 315 is competitive in lightly threaded tasks despite the PassMark single thread gap.

For mixed usage, the 220H is more consistent. It wins 13 of 17 benchmarks and holds the higher overall average benchmark score. The 315 wins in areas tied to single-core responsiveness, which may translate to snappier everyday interaction, but its losses in multi-threaded tests are substantial.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design families. The 220H uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-H codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It has 12 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its thermal design power is 45 W. The 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process, also at Intel. It has 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its thermal design power is 15 W.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The 220H has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The 315 lists 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The 220H's larger L3 pool is consistent with its higher core count.

Memory support separates the two as well. The 220H supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The 220H uses PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the 315 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the 220H has Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, and the 315 has Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Both use Intel sockets, but the 220H uses BGA 1744 and the 315 uses BGA 1516.

The 220H is listed for the Core 5 generation with a Raptor Lake Refresh, while the 315 is listed for the Core 5 generation with Wildcat Lake. The 315's 3 nm process is a newer node than the 220H's 10 nm process, which may explain the 315's lower power draw and its single-thread performance despite fewer cores. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 scores 12981 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 13.7% higher than the Intel Core 5 220H's 11198.

Q: What is the PassMark single thread score difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 scores 4021 in PassMark single thread, leading the Intel Core 5 220H's 3405 by 15.3%.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel Core 5 315 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H is rated at 45 W. The Intel Core 5 315 is rated at 15 W.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has an average benchmark score of 28574 and ranks in the 80th percentile. The Intel Core 5 315 has an average benchmark score of 18188 and ranks in the 72nd percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The 220H uses 12 cores and 16 threads, while the 315 uses 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 2.70 GHz for the 220H and 1.50 GHz for the 315. Boost clocks are 4.90 GHz for the 220H and 4.40 GHz for the 315. Thermal design power is 45 W for the 220H and 15 W for the 315. Sockets differ: BGA 1744 for the 220H, BGA 1516 for the 315.

The architecture field lists Raptor Lake for the 220H, while the 315 has no architecture name but uses the Wildcat Lake codename. Process nodes are 10 nm for the 220H and 3 nm for the 315. Cache configurations differ: the 220H has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3; the 315 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus for the 220H, versus DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus for the 315, with the 315 listing a 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 8 lanes for the 220H, Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the 315. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for the 220H and Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores for the 315.

Release dates also differ, with the 220H listed as 2024-12-17 and the 315 as 2026-04-15. Launch MSRP values are $342 for the 220H and $340 for the 315. Both have locked multipliers and do not support ECC memory.

The Verdict

The data supports picking the Intel Core 5 220H for workloads that demand parallel processing. Its 13 benchmark wins include a 132.1% lead in PassMark integer math and a 69.6% lead in data compression, which are decisive for rendering, compiling, and data-heavy tasks. The 40.3% and 43.3% wins in Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore confirm its strength in threaded applications. The 220H also holds the higher average benchmark score at 28574 versus 18188, and the higher percentile ranking at 80 versus 72.

The Intel Core 5 315 suits scenarios where single-thread responsiveness matters more than raw throughput. Its 15.3% win in PassMark single thread and 26.8% win in find prime numbers indicate an edge in lightly threaded tasks. The 315's Cinebench R23 multicore win at 13.7% is the only multicore test it takes, but it is a notable one. The 315's 3 nm process and 15 W TDP also position it for lower-power systems, though the recorded benchmarks do not include power efficiency scores.

For a balanced assessment, the 220H is the stronger overall processor based on the recorded data. The 315 is competitive in specific areas, but its losses in multithreaded tests are large, particularly the 132.1% integer math gap. Users prioritizing single-core speed and lower power draw should consider the 315, while those needing multi-core muscle should select the 220H.