Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Core 7 240H Comparison

Intel Core 5 315 and Intel Core 7 240H are both active mobile processors from Intel, but they target different performance strata. The Core 5 315 is a 6-core, 6-thread part built on a 3 nm process, while the Core 7 240H is a 10-core, 16-thread part on a 10 nm process. Benchmark data shows a clear overall winner in the Core 7 240H, which claims 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, though the Core 5 315 secures a few notable single-thread and specialized victories.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the Intel Core 7 240H in PassMark integer math. The Core 7 240H scores 80396 against 31690 for the Core 5 315, a delta of -60.6 percent from the perspective of the Core 5 315. That is a massive gap, and it reflects the Core 7 240H's 10 cores and 16 threads versus the Core 5 315's 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core 7 240H also dominates data compression, posting 271774 versus 146143, a -46.2 percent delta. Random string sorting favors the Core 7 240H at 28866 against 17551, a -39.2 percent delta. Cinebench R15 multicore shows the Core 7 240H at 2360 versus 1308, a -44.6 percent delta. Cinebench R20 multicore is similarly lopsided: 8562 versus 5452, a -36.3 percent delta. PassMark multithread follows at 23975 versus 15272, also -36.3 percent.

The Core 7 240H wins several other tests by narrower but still decisive margins. Floating point math goes to the Core 7 240H at 58905 versus 42441, a -28 percent delta. Physics scores 1723 versus 1163, a -32.5 percent delta. Data encryption sees 15155 versus 11119, a -26.6 percent delta. Extended instructions favor the Core 7 240H at 16897 versus 13143, a -22.2 percent delta. Cinebench R15 singlecore is 249 versus 184, a -26.1 percent delta. Cinebench R20 singlecore is 1208 versus 769, a -36.3 percent delta. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 15764 versus 12981, a -17.7 percent delta, which is the closest of the Core 7 240H's multicore wins.

The Intel Core 5 315 takes four wins, all in single-thread or prime-related work. Cinebench R23 singlecore goes to the Core 5 315 at 1832 versus 1719, a 6.6 percent delta. PassMark single thread and singlethread both record 4021 versus 3782, a 6.3 percent delta. PassMark find prime numbers favors the Core 5 315 at 112 versus 102, a 9.8 percent delta. These are meaningful results: the Core 5 315's 3 nm process and Wildcat Lake architecture deliver a stronger single-core experience in these specific tests, even though the Core 7 240H has a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz against 4.40 GHz.

The overall average benchmark score reinforces the hierarchy. The Core 7 240H averages 31483, while the Core 5 315 averages 18188. That puts the Core 7 240H in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, versus the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 315. In the database's nearest rival comparisons, the Core 7 240H sits alongside the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX with a 0 percent delta, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H at -0.1 percent. The Core 5 315 matches the AMD EPYC 9274F at 0 percent and the Intel Core i7-9700 at 0 percent. Those rival clusters show that the Core 7 240H competes in a higher performance tier entirely.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward split. The Intel Core 7 240H is the stronger processor for multi-threaded workloads by a wide margin. It wins every multicore rendering test, every PassMark multithread test, and the major compute tests like integer math, floating point math, and data compression. The 10-core, 16-thread configuration with 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support provides a robust foundation for sustained parallel work. The 45 W TDP and 5.20 GHz boost clock underpin its performance profile.

The Intel Core 5 315 is the better choice for workloads that depend on single-thread efficiency and prime number computation. It wins Cinebench R23 singlecore, PassMark single thread, and PassMark find prime numbers. Its 3 nm process node and Wildcat Lake architecture deliver a higher single-thread score in R23 despite a lower boost clock. The 15 W TDP also indicates a much lower power envelope, which suits thin-and-light mobile designs, though the database does not provide direct power consumption measurements.

For buyers who prioritize raw throughput in rendering, compression, encryption, and general multithreaded compute, the Core 7 240H is the clear pick from the recorded data. For users who value single-core responsiveness and prime number workloads, the Core 5 315 has a measurable edge. The Core 7 240H's 13 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests, plus its higher average score and percentile ranking, make it the overall performance leader in this comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 wins PassMark single thread with 4021 versus 3782, a 6.3 percent delta, and Cinebench R23 singlecore with 1832 versus 1719, a 6.6 percent delta. The Core 7 240H wins Cinebench R15 singlecore and Cinebench R20 singlecore.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Intel Core 7 240H scores 80396 versus 31690 for the Core 5 315, a -60.6 percent delta.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has an average benchmark score of 31483, while the Intel Core 5 315 has an average of 18188. The Core 7 240H ranks in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 315.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel Core 5 315 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor performs better in data compression?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H scores 271774 in PassMark data compression versus 146143 for the Core 5 315, a -46.2 percent delta.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Core 5 315 uses 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core 7 240H uses 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the Core 5 315 and 2.50 GHz for the Core 7 240H. Boost clocks are 4.40 GHz and 5.20 GHz respectively. The Core 5 315 has a 15 W TDP, while the Core 7 240H has a 45 W TDP. Sockets differ as well: the Core 5 315 uses Intel BGA 1516, and the Core 7 240H uses Intel BGA 1744.

Cache configurations are substantially different. The Core 5 315 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 7 240H lists L1 as 80 KB per core, L2 as 2 MB per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support also diverges. The Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Core 7 240H supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus, and the database records no memory bandwidth figure for it. PCIe connectivity differs: the Core 5 315 offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 7 240H offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 315 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Core 7 240H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 64 execution units. Both have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory. The Core 5 315 has a launch MSRP of $340, and the Core 7 240H has a launch MSRP of $502. Release dates are also distinct: the Core 5 315 launched on 2026-04-15, and the Core 7 240H launched on 2024-12-17.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 5 315 is built on a 3 nm process node, fabricated by Intel, and uses the Wildcat Lake codename with the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation. The Intel Core 7 240H uses a 10 nm process node, also fabricated by Intel, and is based on the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-H codename and Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The 3 nm node for the Core 5 315 is a clear manufacturing advantage in terms of density and efficiency, though the database does not include transistor counts or die sizes for either part.

The core count difference is architectural as well. The Core 5 315 presents as a 6-core, 6-thread design with no hyper-threading, while the Core 7 240H presents as a 10-core, 16-thread design, implying a hybrid or hyper-threaded configuration. The L3 cache scales accordingly: 6 MB shared for the Core 5 315 versus 24 MB shared for the Core 7 240H. The L1 and L2 descriptions also differ in format, with the Core 5 315 listing total cache amounts and the Core 7 240H listing per-core amounts.

Memory architecture is another differentiator. The Core 5 315 uses a single-channel memory bus and supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core 7 240H uses a dual-channel memory bus and supports DDR4 and DDR5, with no recorded memory bandwidth. PCIe generation differs, with Gen 4 on the Core 5 315 and Gen 5 on the Core 7 240H. Integrated graphics are also generationally different, with Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) on the Core 5 315 and Iris Xe Graphics 64EU on the Core 7 240H.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 240H wins in all heavy multi-threaded scenarios. Rendering workloads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore all favor it, with deltas ranging from -17.7 percent in R23 to -44.6 percent in R15. PassMark multithread, integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, physics, and random string sorting all go to the Core 7 240H. The integer math result at -60.6 percent is the standout, indicating a massive advantage in arithmetic-heavy tasks. The Core 7 240H also wins Cinebench R15 singlecore and R20 singlecore, so its single-thread lead is not absent, just narrower in the newer R23 test.

The Intel Core 5 315 wins in four specific tests: Cinebench R23 singlecore, PassMark single thread, PassMark singlethread, and PassMark find prime numbers. The find prime numbers win at 112 versus 102, a 9.8 percent delta, is the largest of its victories. The single-thread wins at 6.3 percent and the R23 singlecore win at 6.6 percent show that the Core 5 315's architecture delivers superior per-thread performance in those measured workloads. For a user running prime number searches or lightly threaded applications where R23 singlecore and PassMark single thread are representative, the Core 5 315 is the better fit. For anything involving multiple cores, compression, encryption, or large integer math, the Core 7 240H is the definitive choice based on the recorded data.