Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Core i7-1355U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of two very different processor designs. The Intel Core i7-1355U and Intel Core 5 315 split their 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with the Core 5 315 taking 12 wins and the Core i7-1355U taking 5. However, the magnitude of those wins tells the real story.

The most dramatic gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 5 315 scores 12981 against the Core i7-1355U's 8286. That is a 36.2% advantage, the largest single margin in either direction across the entire benchmark suite. The Core 5 315 also leads in Cinebench R20 multi-core with 5452 versus 4949, a 9.2% edge, and in Cinebench R20 single-core with 769 versus 698, also a 9.2% margin. Even in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 315 edges ahead with 1832 versus 1825, though by a razor-thin 0.4%.

PassMark tests reinforce the Core 5 315's dominance in computational workloads. It wins floating point math with 42441 versus 34965, a 17.6% lead. Extended instructions show a 33.6% advantage (13143 versus 8726). The prime number test is a rout: 112 versus 51, a 54.5% gap. Physics simulation favors the Core 5 315 by 23.6% (1163 versus 888), and multithread performance sits 6.4% higher (15272 versus 14299). Data encryption also goes to the Core 5 315, 11119 versus 9831, an 11.6% lead.

The Core i7-1355U does not go down quietly. Its biggest victory is in PassMark integer math, where it posts 52002 against the Core 5 315's 31690, a massive 64.1% advantage. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (1393 versus 1308, 6.5% ahead) and Cinebench R15 single-core (255.5 versus 184, a 38.9% blowout). Data compression favors the Core i7-1355U by 6.6% (155727 versus 146143), and random string sorting goes to it by a slim 0.5% (17631 versus 17551).

The aggregate average benchmark score lands at 18730 for the Core i7-1355U and 18188 for the Core 5 315, putting the former at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs and the latter at the 72nd. The nearest rivals in the database confirm how close these two are overall: the Core i7-1355U sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 and 1.1% of the Intel Core i3-14100F, while the Core 5 315 matches the AMD EPYC 9274F and Intel Core i7-9700 exactly at 0% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel designs and manufacturing nodes. The Core i7-1355U uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It is a 10-core, 12-thread part, meaning it relies on a hybrid arrangement that includes efficiency cores alongside performance cores. The Core 5 315, by contrast, uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process, also fabricated by Intel. It is a 6-core, 6-thread chip with no hyper-threading, according to the thread count.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core i7-1355U carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 315 has 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The smaller L3 pool on the Core 5 315 is notable, but the newer process node appears to compensate in many compute-heavy tasks.

Clock speeds also diverge. The Core i7-1355U has a base clock of 1700 MHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Core 5 315 starts lower at 1500 MHz base but boosts to 4.40 GHz. Despite the lower raw clocks, the Core 5 315's architectural efficiency delivers superior single-thread scores in most modern benchmarks.

Memory support represents a clear generational split. The Core i7-1355U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel memory bus. The Core 5 315 supports only DDR5 and LPDDR5X, and it runs on a single-channel memory bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The single-channel configuration is a potential bottleneck for memory-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark results still favor the Core 5 315 in most tests.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Core i7-1355U provides Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, while the Core 5 315 offers Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also changes: the Core i7-1355U uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the Core 5 315 ships with Intel Xe3 Graphics featuring 2 Xe cores.

Socket compatibility is not shared. The Core i7-1355U uses Intel BGA 1744, while the Core 5 315 uses Intel BGA 1516. Both are mobile-segment parts and remain in active production. The Core i7-1355U launched on January 3, 2023 with a launch MSRP of $469. The Core 5 315 launched much later, on April 15, 2026, with a launch MSRP of $340.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 dominates multi-core results. It leads by 36.2% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (12981 versus 8286), by 9.2% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (5452 versus 4949), and by 6.4% in PassMark multithread (15272 versus 14299). The Core i7-1355U only wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, 1393 versus 1308, a 6.5% margin.

Q: How do single-thread scores compare?

A: The Core 5 315 wins most single-thread tests. It leads PassMark single-thread by 14.3% (4021 versus 3444) and Cinebench R20 single-core by 9.2% (769 versus 698). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 315 edges out the Core i7-1355U by a marginal 0.4% (1832 versus 1825). The Core i7-1355U wins Cinebench R15 single-core by a wide 38.9% (255.5 versus 184).

Q: Does the Core i7-1355U have any clear strengths?

A: Yes, integer math is its standout area. It scores 52002 in PassMark integer math versus 31690 for the Core 5 315, a 64.1% advantage. It also wins data compression (155727 versus 146143, 6.6% ahead), random string sorting (17631 versus 17551, 0.5% ahead), and both Cinebench R15 tests.

Q: Which chip has better memory bandwidth?

A: The Core 5 315 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s and supports only DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus. The Core i7-1355U supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, but the database does not list a memory bandwidth figure for it, so no direct comparison is possible.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class overall?

A: The aggregate data says yes. The Core i7-1355U has an average benchmark score of 18730 and sits at the 73rd percentile, while the Core 5 315 averages 18188 and sits at the 72nd percentile. Their nearest rivals in the database include the AMD EPYC 7643 and Intel Core i5-12400 for the Core i7-1355U, and the AMD EPYC 9274F and Intel Core i7-9700 for the Core 5 315.

Q: What explains the Core 5 315's large win in the prime number test?

A: The PassMark find prime numbers test shows a 54.5% advantage for the Core 5 315, with a score of 112 versus 51. This likely reflects the newer 3 nm process and Wildcat Lake architecture's efficiency in tight integer loops, though the database does not provide a specific architectural explanation.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1355U | Intel Core 5 315 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 12 | 6 |

| Base clock | 1700 MHz | 1500 MHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Wildcat Lake |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Wildcat Lake |

| Generation | Core i7 (Raptor Lake-U) | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 cache | 12 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 59.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Release date | 2023-01-03 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $469 | $340 |

| Part number | SRMLY | SAEFC |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 315 is the clear choice for modern multi-threaded rendering and compute workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12981 is over 50% higher than the Core i7-1355U's 8286, and it also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core, PassMark multithread, physics simulation, floating point math, extended instructions, and data encryption. If the workload involves video encoding, 3D rendering, scientific calculations, or any task that scales across cores, the Core 5 315's 6 cores on the 3 nm node deliver substantially better results despite having fewer threads.

The Core 5 315 also wins the single-thread crown in most modern benchmarks. PassMark single-thread shows a 14.3% edge (4021 versus 3444), and Cinebench R20 single-core favors it by 9.2%. For office productivity, web browsing, and lightly threaded applications, the Core 5 315 offers snappier responsiveness. Its 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth over DDR5 and LPDDR5X support also positions it for memory-sensitive tasks, though the single-channel bus could limit extreme bandwidth demands.

The Intel Core i7-1355U, meanwhile, is the winner for integer-heavy workloads. Its PassMark integer math score of 52002 versus 31690 is a 64.1% blowout, suggesting a significant advantage in tasks like compression, sorting, and database-style operations. It also wins data compression by 6.6% and random string sorting by 0.5%. The dual-channel memory bus and support for DDR4 could make it attractive in systems where older memory modules are already available.

The Core i7-1355U also holds a massive lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, 255.5 versus 184, a 38.9% gap. This older benchmark may reflect different architectural efficiencies, but it is the one place where the Raptor Lake design's 5.00 GHz boost clock clearly outruns the Wildcat Lake part's 4.40 GHz.

For users who need a balanced mobile processor with strong integer performance and legacy memory support, the Core i7-1355U remains competitive. For those prioritizing modern multi-core throughput, floating point math, and the latest process node, the Core 5 315 is the superior database entry. The 12 wins versus 5 split in the head-to-head tests, combined with the larger margins in the Core 5 315's favor, make it the overall benchmark leader.