CPU Comparison
Intel Core 5 315
Core i3-13100
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Core i3-13100
The Intel Core 5 315 is the faster processor in the majority of benchmark tests, winning 15 of 17 head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i3-13100. However, the i3-13100 is not without its strengths, delivering decisive victories in integer math and data compression workloads. The Core 5 315 leads in multi-threaded and single-threaded Cinebench tests, but the i3-13100 counters with a 30.4% advantage in PassMark integer math and a 10.5% edge in data compression. Both processors sit at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 18380 for the i3-13100 and 18188 for the Core 5 315, placing them in a near-identical performance tier despite their architectural differences.
The Verdict
The data points to a clear but nuanced conclusion: the Intel Core 5 315 is the superior overall performer, but the Intel Core i3-13100 is the better choice for specific integer-heavy workloads. The Core 5 315 wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all six Cinebench tests, where it leads by margins of 7.6% to 7.7%. Its wins are consistent across single-core, multi-core, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting tests.
For users prioritizing raw integer processing or data compression, the i3-13100 is the clear pick. It beats the Core 5 315 by 30.4% in PassMark integer math (41313 vs 31690) and by 10.5% in data compression (161424 vs 146143). These are not marginal differences, they represent substantial advantages in specific computational domains.
The Core 5 315, however, dominates the broader workload spectrum. Its 14% lead in PassMark single-thread performance (4021 vs 3460) and its 10.1% edge in multithread (15272 vs 13726) make it the more versatile processor for general use. Given that both chips have identical 72nd percentile rankings, the choice comes down to workload specialization: the Core 5 315 for balanced performance, the i3-13100 for integer and compression tasks.
Architecture Differences
The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-13100 is a desktop part built on Intel's 10 nm process node, featuring 4 cores and 8 threads. It uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-S codename, and its die size is 163 mm². The Core 5 315, in contrast, is a mobile processor built on a 3 nm process node, featuring 6 cores but only 6 threads, there is no hyperthreading. Its codename is Wildcat Lake, and it belongs to the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation.
Cache configurations differ markedly. The i3-13100 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 5 315 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having half the L3 cache, the Core 5 315 compensates with its newer process node and additional physical cores.
Memory support also diverges. The i3-13100 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, while the Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The i3-13100 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, whereas the Core 5 315 is limited to PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i3-13100 has UHD Graphics 730, while the Core 5 315 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Core 5 315's dominance is most pronounced in Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 12981 versus the i3-13100's 11986, a 7.7% advantage. The single-core R23 result shows 1832 versus 1692, a 7.6% lead. These margins are consistent across all Cinebench versions: R15 multi-core (1308 vs 1208, -7.6%), R15 single-core (184 vs 170, -7.6%), R20 multi-core (5452 vs 5034, -7.7%), and R20 single-core (769 vs 710, -7.7%).
The Core 5 315 extends its lead in several PassMark tests. Data encryption shows a 27.6% advantage (11119 vs 8049), and extended instructions score 13143 versus 11053, a 15.9% lead. The biggest margin is in prime number finding, where the Core 5 315 scores 112 versus just 52, a 53.6% difference. Floating-point math also favors the Core 5 315 by 23.8% (42441 vs 32325), and physics tests show a 25.2% lead (1163 vs 870). Random string sorting is 9.3% faster (17551 vs 15925), and multithread performance is 10.1% higher (15272 vs 13726).
The i3-13100's wins are fewer but substantial. In PassMark integer math, it scores 41313 versus 31690, a 30.4% advantage. Data compression shows 161424 versus 146143, a 10.5% lead. These two wins account for the i3-13100's share of the head-to-head results, but they are significant enough to matter for specific applications.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has better single-threaded performance?
A: The Intel Core 5 315 wins all three single-core Cinebench tests (R15: 184 vs 170, R20: 769 vs 710, R23: 1832 vs 1692) with consistent 7.6-7.7% margins. It also leads PassMark single-thread by 14% (4021 vs 3460).
Q: Is the Intel Core i3-13100 better at any workload?
A: Yes. The i3-13100 wins PassMark integer math by 30.4% (41313 vs 31690) and PassMark data compression by 10.5% (161424 vs 146143). These are its only two wins out of 17 head-to-head tests.
Q: How do the core and thread counts differ?
A: The i3-13100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Core 5 315 has more physical cores but no hyperthreading, while the i3-13100 relies on hyperthreading to reach 8 threads.
Q: What are the cache differences between the two?
A: The i3-13100 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Core 5 315 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3.
Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?
A: The i3-13100 has a TDP of 60 W, while the Core 5 315 has a TDP of 15 W. This reflects the i3-13100's desktop positioning versus the Core 5 315's mobile design.
Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?
A: No. The i3-13100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in single-channel mode with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.
Where Each One Wins
The Core 5 315 is the winner for general-purpose computing, content creation, and any workload that benefits from balanced multi-core and single-core performance. Its Cinebench victories across all versions (R15, R20, R23) show consistent superiority in rendering and CPU-intensive tasks. The 53.6% lead in prime number finding and 23.8% lead in floating-point math make it ideal for scientific computing, mathematical modeling, and any floating-point-heavy applications. Its 27.6% advantage in data encryption and 15.9% lead in extended instructions position it well for security-related workloads and modern instruction set utilization. The 25.2% physics win and 10.1% multithread advantage further solidify its position for simulation and parallel processing tasks.
The i3-13100 wins in two specific domains. Its 30.4% lead in integer math makes it the superior choice for integer-heavy applications such as database operations, financial calculations, and certain types of compression algorithms. The 10.5% advantage in data compression specifically points to workloads involving file archiving, data storage optimization, and network data transfer where compression speed matters. For users whose primary workloads fall into these categories, the i3-13100 offers quantifiable performance benefits despite losing the overall benchmark count.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ significantly across nearly all specification categories. The i3-13100 is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, while the Core 5 315 is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1516. Core counts differ: 4 cores and 8 threads for the i3-13100 versus 6 cores and 6 threads for the Core 5 315. Base clocks are drastically different at 3.40 GHz for the i3-13100 versus 1.50 GHz for the Core 5 315, though boost clocks are closer at 4.50 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. TDP differs substantially at 60 W versus 15 W.
The process node shows the generational gap: 10 nm for the i3-13100 versus 3 nm for the Core 5 315. Cache layouts differ as detailed above, with the i3-13100 having smaller per-core L1 and L2 but double the L3. Memory support, PCIe generation and lane counts, integrated graphics, release dates, and launch MSRP all differ. The i3-13100 was released on 2023-01-03 with a launch MSRP of $134, while the Core 5 315 was released on 2026-04-15 with a launch MSRP of $340. Both processors are currently active in production, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.