Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison
Intel Core 5 315
Core Ultra 5 225
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark data produces a completely one-sided comparison. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 315 wins none. This is not a close contest by any measure. The largest margins appear in multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads, where the Ultra 5 225 typically doubles or nearly doubles the output of the Core 5 315.
The Core Ultra 5 225 dominates in rendering and CPU computation. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 25891 against 12981 for the Core 5 315, a delta of -49.9 percent from the perspective of the slower part. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the Ultra 5 225 scores 2609 versus 1308, again a -49.9 percent delta. Single-core Cinebench results also favor the Ultra 5 225 heavily: R23 single-core shows 3655 versus 1832, and R15 single-core shows 368 versus 184, both at -49.9 or -50 percent deltas.
PassMark workloads amplify the gap further. The Ultra 5 225 scores 302811 in data compression versus 146143, a -51.7 percent delta. Integer math shows 65345 versus 31690, a -51.5 percent delta. Floating point math shows 92038 versus 42441, a -53.9 percent delta. The largest single margin is in prime number finding, where the Ultra 5 225 scores 358 versus 112, a -68.7 percent delta. Physics, extended instructions, encryption, and random string sorting all show deltas between -50.1 and -52 percent.
The only category where the Core 5 315 comes relatively close is single-threaded PassMark performance. The Ultra 5 225 scores 4412 versus 4021, a delta of only -8.9 percent. This suggests that while the Ultra 5 225 is clearly superior in every measured test, the gap in lightly threaded integer work is narrower than in heavily parallel workloads. Still, the Core 5 315 does not win a single benchmark, so the use-case split is not about which chip wins where, but rather about how much the Ultra 5 225 wins by in different scenarios.
The Verdict
The data points to one clear conclusion: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is the stronger processor across every benchmark category recorded. Its average benchmark score is 36938, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 315 has an average score of 18188, placing it in the 72nd percentile. The Ultra 5 225 also sits among higher-performing rivals: its nearest competitors include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F at an average score of 36945, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D at 37018, and the Intel Core i9-12900T at 37112, all within -0.5 percent or better. The Core 5 315, by contrast, sits near the AMD EPYC 9274F at 18189, the Intel Core i7-9700 at 18180, and the Intel Core i7-1365U at 18177, all within 0.1 percent.
For users who need maximum compute throughput, the Ultra 5 225 is the obvious pick. It delivers roughly double the multi-core performance in Cinebench R23 and PassMark multithread tests. Its 10 cores and 10 threads, 3.30 GHz base clock, and 4.90 GHz boost clock provide a substantial foundation for that advantage. The Core 5 315, with 6 cores and 6 threads, a 1.50 GHz base clock, and a 4.40 GHz boost clock, cannot match that level of parallel execution.
The Core 5 315 does have one meaningful distinction: it is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, while the Ultra 5 225 is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP. The Core 5 315 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ultra 5 225 uses dual-channel memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. For a mobile context, the Core 5 315 may serve a purpose in low-power devices, but the benchmark data shows no scenario where it outperforms the Ultra 5 225. The verdict is straightforward: the Ultra 5 225 is the better processor for performance, and the Core 5 315 is the better choice only if a low-power mobile form factor is the primary requirement.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The recorded head-to-head data shows the Ultra 5 225 winning every test, with deltas ranging from -8.9 percent to -68.7 percent. The smallest margins appear in single-threaded PassMark tests. The Ultra 5 225 scores 4412 in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, against 4021 for the Core 5 315, a -8.9 percent delta. This is the only test where the Core 5 315 stays within single digits.
The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15, the Ultra 5 225 scores 2609 multicore and 368 single-core, against 1308 and 184 for the Core 5 315, deltas of -49.9 and -50 percent respectively. In Cinebench R20, the scores are 6317 versus 5452 multicore and 891 versus 769 single-core, deltas of -13.7 percent each. The R20 results are notably closer than R15 or R23, indicating that the workload scaling differs between Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R23, the Ultra 5 225 scores 25891 multicore and 3655 single-core, against 12981 and 1832, deltas of -49.9 percent each.
PassMark tests show the widest gaps. Data compression: 302811 versus 146143, -51.7 percent. Data encryption: 22285 versus 11119, -50.1 percent. Extended instructions: 27162 versus 13143, -51.6 percent. Prime numbers: 358 versus 112, -68.7 percent, the largest margin in the entire dataset. Floating point math: 92038 versus 42441, -53.9 percent. Integer math: 65345 versus 31690, -51.5 percent. Multithread: 30459 versus 15272, -49.9 percent. Physics: 2342 versus 1163, -50.3 percent. Random string sorting: 36590 versus 17551, -52 percent.
The pattern is consistent: the Ultra 5 225 roughly doubles the Core 5 315 in most multi-threaded workloads, while the single-threaded PassMark gap is much smaller. The prime number test stands out as particularly favorable to the Ultra 5 225, likely reflecting its higher core count and clock speed advantages.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938, while the Intel Core 5 315 has an average score of 18188. The Ultra 5 225 sits in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 72nd percentile for the Core 5 315.
Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?
A: The Ultra 5 225 scores 25891, while the Core 5 315 scores 12981. The delta is -49.9 percent, meaning the Ultra 5 225 delivers nearly double the multicore rendering performance.
Q: What is the closest benchmark result between the two?
A: The closest result is in PassMark single-thread performance, where the Ultra 5 225 scores 4412 and the Core 5 315 scores 4021, a delta of only -8.9 percent.
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads, while the Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Ultra 5 225 also has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz and a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, compared to 1.50 GHz and 4.40 GHz for the Core 5 315.
Q: How do the memory subsystems differ?
A: The Ultra 5 225 uses a dual-channel memory bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and supports DDR5. The Core 5 315 uses a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X.
Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor?
A: The Ultra 5 225's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F at 36945, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D at 37018, and the Intel Core i9-12900T at 37112. The Core 5 315's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9274F at 18189, the Intel Core i7-9700 at 18180, and the Intel Core i7-1365U at 18177.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel families and target different market segments. The Core 5 315 is based on the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation. It is built on a 3 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The Ultra 5 225 is based on the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It is also built on a 3 nm process node, but at TSMC's foundry, and uses 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.
The core configurations differ significantly. The Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyperthreading enabled in the data. The Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 5 315 has a 192 KB L1 cache, a 2.5 MB L2 cache, and a 6 MB shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 225 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and a 20 MB shared L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the Ultra 5 225 likely contributes to its substantial lead in data compression and extended instruction workloads.
Memory support differs as well. The Core 5 315 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Ultra 5 225 supports DDR5 only, but with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe connectivity also varies: the Core 5 315 provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 225 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ too: the Core 5 315 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe units, while the Ultra 5 225 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 EU. Neither processor supports ECC memory.
The market segments are distinct: the Core 5 315 is a mobile processor, while the Ultra 5 225 is a desktop processor. This explains the TDP difference and the socket difference, with the Core 5 315 using Intel BGA 1516 and the Ultra 5 225 using Intel Socket 1851. The release dates also differ, with the Ultra 5 225 launching on 2025-01-06 and the Core 5 315 launching on 2026-04-15.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are 1.50 GHz for the Core 5 315 and 3.30 GHz for the Ultra 5 225. Boost clocks are 4.40 GHz and 4.90 GHz respectively. TDP is 15 W for the Core 5 315 and 65 W for the Ultra 5 225, reflecting the mobile versus desktop split.
Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 5 315, Intel Socket 1851 for the Ultra 5 225. Process nodes are both 3 nm, but the foundries differ, with Intel for the Core 5 315 and TSMC for the Ultra 5 225. The Ultra 5 225 has a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm²; the Core 5 315 has no recorded transistor or die size data.
Cache configurations differ in structure and size. The Core 5 315 has 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 225 has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: the Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth; the Ultra 5 225 supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe capabilities differ: Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 5 315, Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the Ultra 5 225.
Integrated graphics differ, with the Core 5 315 using Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) and the Ultra 5 225 using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. Market segments differ, with mobile for the Core 5 315 and desktop for the Ultra 5 225. Production status is active for both. Launch MSRP is $340 for the Core 5 315 and $246 for the Ultra 5 225. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers differ as well: SAEFC for the Core 5 315, SRQCZSRVF7 for the Ultra 5 225.