CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 5 315 and Intel Core i7-9700 occupy nearly identical positions in the overall performance hierarchy, with average benchmark scores of 18188 and 18180 respectively. Both processors land in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, and the data shows a virtual tie in aggregate performance. Yet the head-to-head benchmark suite reveals that these two chips achieve parity through entirely different means, the newer Core 5 315 wins 13 of 17 direct comparisons, while the older i7-9700 counters with decisive victories in specific workloads. What makes this matchup compelling is not the final score, but the starkly divergent architectural philosophies that produce it.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core 5 315 dominates the Cinebench suite across every version and workload type. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 12981 against the i7-9700's 11200, a 15.9% advantage. Single-core performance tells the same story: the Core 5 315 hits 1832 in R23 single-core versus 1581 for the i7-9700, again a 15.9% lead. This pattern holds consistently, R15 multi-core shows a 16% win (1308 vs 1128), R20 multi-core shows 15.9% (5452 vs 4704), and every single-core variant lands between 15.7% and 15.9% in favor of the Core 5 315.

The PassMark suite reveals a more complex picture. The Core 5 315 delivers a staggering 157.3% advantage in data encryption (11119 vs 4322) and a 133.3% lead in prime number finding (112 vs 48). Floating point math favors the newer chip by 24.1% (42441 vs 34187), and physics simulation shows a 41.8% gap (1163 vs 820). The single-thread score of 4021 versus 2756 represents a 45.9% improvement for the Core 5 315.

However, the i7-9700 fights back in four specific areas. Data compression is its strongest win at 181411 versus 146143, a 19.4% margin. Random string sorting goes to the i7-9700 by 25.3% (23482 vs 17551), integer math by 21% (40138 vs 31690), and extended instructions by 9.3% (14488 vs 13143). These wins demonstrate that the older architecture retains advantages in certain data-manipulation workloads, even as it loses ground in nearly every other category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different eras. The Core 5 315 uses a 3 nm process node from Intel's foundry, while the i7-9700 relies on a 14 nm process. This process gap explains much of the performance-per-clock difference observed in the benchmarks. The Core 5 315 is built on the Wildcat Lake codename, whereas the i7-9700 uses Coffee Lake.

Core counts and threading diverge significantly. The i7-9700 offers 8 cores and 8 threads; the Core 5 315 provides only 6 cores and 6 threads. Despite having two fewer cores, the newer chip wins multi-threaded benchmarks like Cinebench R23 multi-core by nearly 16%, indicating vastly superior per-core throughput. Clock speeds also favor the i7-9700 on paper, a 3.00 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost versus 1.50 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost, yet the Core 5 315 still manages higher single-thread scores.

Cache hierarchies differ in structure. The i7-9700 allocates 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 315 has a total of 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2, with only 6 MB of shared L3, half the L3 capacity of its rival. The Core 5 315 compensates with support for DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory in a single-channel configuration, offering 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-9700 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s. The newer chip also integrates Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the i7-9700 relies on UHD Graphics 630.

Where Each One Wins

The data suggests the Core 5 315 excels at cryptography, scientific computation, and single-threaded responsiveness. Its 157.3% encryption advantage and 133.3% prime-number lead point to strong AES and integer-heavy cryptographic workloads. The 24.1% floating-point win indicates superior math throughput for simulations or financial modeling. The 45.9% single-thread improvement translates directly to snappier application performance in daily use.

The i7-9700 carves out a niche in data compression and sorting tasks. Its 19.4% compression lead and 25.3% string-sorting win suggest the larger 12 MB L3 cache benefits certain memory-access patterns. Integer math also favors the i7-9700 by 21%, meaning workloads that rely heavily on integer operations without cryptographic extensions may run faster on the older chip.

The multi-threaded PassMark score favors the Core 5 315 by 15.5% (15272 vs 13223), reinforcing that its two fewer cores do not handicap it in general parallel workloads. The physics simulation score of 1163 versus 820, a 41.8% gap, indicates better performance in gaming physics or engineering simulations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Core 5 315 wins every single-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 1832 versus 1581, a 15.9% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 4021 versus 2756, a 45.9% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-9700's extra two cores help it in any workload?

A: Yes, but only in specific data tasks. The i7-9700 wins data compression by 19.4%, random string sorting by 25.3%, and integer math by 21%, despite having 8 cores versus 6. Its larger 12 MB L3 cache likely contributes to these wins.

Q: How do the memory systems compare?

A: The Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a single-channel configuration with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-9700 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s. The newer chip offers higher theoretical bandwidth despite having only one channel.

Q: Which chip is better for encryption workloads?

A: The Core 5 315 is dramatically faster, scoring 11119 in PassMark data encryption versus 4322 for the i7-9700, a 157.3% advantage. This likely reflects modern AES instruction support on the newer architecture.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class?

A: Yes. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical at 18188 for the Core 5 315 and 18180 for the i7-9700, and both rank in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. They appear as nearest rivals to each other with 0% delta.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Core 5 315 is listed as Active, with a release date in April 2026. The i7-9700 is End-of-life, having launched in April 2019. The Core 5 315 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1516, while the i7-9700 is a desktop chip on Socket 1151.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a clear split decision. For users prioritizing modern instruction sets, cryptographic throughput, floating-point mathematics, and single-thread responsiveness, the Core 5 315 is the superior choice, its 157.3% encryption lead, 45.9% single-thread advantage, and 24.1% floating-point win are decisive. The fact that it achieves these results with two fewer cores and a dramatically lower base clock (1.50 GHz vs 3.00 GHz) speaks to the efficiency of the 3 nm process.

For workloads centered on data compression, string sorting, and integer math, the i7-9700 remains competitive. Its 19.4% compression lead and 25.3% string-sorting win indicate that its larger 12 MB L3 cache still matters for certain memory-bound tasks. The i7-9700 also offers dual-channel memory and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus the Core 5 315's 6 Gen 4 lanes, which may matter for desktop expansion.

However, the overall trend favors the Core 5 315. It wins 13 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests and PassMark multi-thread. Its 15.5% multi-thread win despite fewer cores suggests that applications optimized for modern architectures will increasingly favor it. The i7-9700's wins are concentrated in legacy data-manipulation workloads that represent a shrinking share of typical usage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 315 | Intel Core i7-9700 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | Not specified | 180.3 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB total | 64 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB total | 256 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB shared | 12 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 (2 Xe) | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2019-04-22 |

| Launch MSRP | $340 | $333 |

| Part Number | SAEFC | SRG13 |