Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 236V Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits decisively in favor of the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V, which claims 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head wins. The Intel Core 5 315 takes only two wins, both in the PassMark single-thread tests. This is not a close contest in overall throughput, but the single-thread result does reveal a meaningful distinction.

The Core Ultra 5 236V dominates every Cinebench workload, both multi-core and single-core, with margins consistently around 17 percent. It also wins all PassMark compute tests, with the largest gap appearing in prime number finding, where it leads by 34.5 percent. The Core 5 315 counters with a 3.3 percent advantage in PassMark single-thread scoring, recording 4021 against 3893.

For workloads that stress the full processor, the Core Ultra 5 236V is the clear choice. Its multi-thread PassMark score of 18375 exceeds the Core 5 315's 15272 by 16.9 percent. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result shows 15628 versus 12981, again a 16.9 percent margin. Data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, integer math, and random string sorting all favor the Core Ultra 5 236V, with margins ranging from 14.8 percent to 19.6 percent.

The single-thread win for the Core 5 315 is narrow but consistent across both PassMark single-thread test entries. This suggests the Core 5 315 has a slight edge in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, despite its overall lower core count. However, the Core Ultra 5 236V still wins the Cinebench single-core tests by about 17 percent, so the PassMark result appears test-specific rather than a general single-thread advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 3 nm process node but come from different foundries and design families. The Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 5 236V belongs to the Lunar Lake architecture and is fabricated by TSMC. This difference in fabrication partner and microarchitecture explains much of the performance gap.

Core counts differ significantly. The Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyper-threading. The Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 cores and 8 threads, also without hyper-threading. The two additional cores in the Core Ultra 5 236V contribute directly to its multi-threaded dominance.

Cache hierarchies also differ. 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 Ultra 5 236V has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core L2 allocation in the Core Ultra 5 236V is notable, as it allows each core to access a larger private cache pool.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 236V uses a dual-channel memory bus, with memory support listed as dependent on the motherboard. The dual-channel configuration gives the Core Ultra 5 236V a memory bandwidth advantage that helps in memory-intensive workloads.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 5 315 provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 236V provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. The newer PCIe generation on the Core Ultra 5 236V offers higher per-lane bandwidth, though with fewer lanes.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The Core 5 315 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the Core Ultra 5 236V includes Arc 130V graphics. The Arc 130V is a more capable integrated GPU, which matters for systems without discrete graphics.

Release timing also separates the two. The Core 5 315 has a release date in April 2026, while the Core Ultra 5 236V launched in September 2024. The Core 5 315 is a newer design but occupies a lower tier in the Core 5 lineup.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 236V scores 1575 against 1308, a 17 percent advantage. Single-core R15 shows 222 versus 184, a 17.1 percent edge. Cinebench R20 multi-core delivers 6563 against 5452, a 16.9 percent margin, and single-core R20 shows 926 versus 769, a 17 percent margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core records 15628 versus 12981, again 16.9 percent, while single-core R23 shows 2206 versus 1832, a 17 percent gap. The consistency across Cinebench versions indicates a fundamental per-core performance difference, not just a core count effect.

PassMark results follow a similar pattern but with varying magnitudes. Data compression shows 176554 versus 146143, a 17.2 percent lead for the Core Ultra 5 236V. Data encryption scores 13049 versus 11119, a 14.8 percent margin. Extended instructions show 15451 versus 13143, a 14.9 percent edge. Prime number finding is the largest gap at 34.5 percent, with scores of 171 versus 112.

Floating-point math shows 52774 versus 42441, a 19.6 percent lead. Integer math records 38765 versus 31690, an 18.3 percent margin. The multithread PassMark score is 18375 versus 15272, a 16.9 percent advantage. Physics simulation shows 1503 versus 1163, a 22.6 percent gap. Random string sorting delivers 21628 versus 17551, an 18.9 percent lead.

The only reverse result comes in PassMark single-thread tests, where the Core 5 315 scores 4021 against 3893, a 3.3 percent advantage. Both PassMark single-thread entries record identical scores, confirming the result is reproducible.

Overall average benchmark scores reinforce the hierarchy. The Core Ultra 5 236V has an average benchmark score of 21952, placing it in the 75th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 315 has an average of 18188, placing it in the 72nd percentile. The Core Ultra 5 236V's nearest rival is the Core Ultra 5 238V with a delta of -0.1 percent, while the Core 5 315's nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 9274F at a delta of 0 percent.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: 6 cores and 6 threads for the Core 5 315, versus 8 cores and 8 threads for the Core Ultra 5 236V.

Base clocks differ: 1.50 GHz for the Core 5 315, 2.10 GHz for the Core Ultra 5 236V. Boost clocks also differ: 4.40 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, favoring the Core Ultra 5 236V.

Thermal design power shows a small difference: 15 W for the Core 5 315, 17 W for the Core Ultra 5 236V.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1516 for the Core 5 315, Intel BGA 2833 for the Core Ultra 5 236V.

The codename and generation differ: Wildcat Lake for the Core 5 315, Lunar Lake for the Core Ultra 5 236V. The Core Ultra 5 236V also carries the Core Ultra Series 2 series designation, while the Core 5 315 has no series field.

Process node is identical at 3 nm, but the foundry differs: Intel for the Core 5 315, TSMC for the Core Ultra 5 236V.

L2 cache allocation differs: 2.5 MB total for the Core 5 315, versus 2.5 MB per core for the Core Ultra 5 236V. L3 cache is 6 MB shared versus 8 MB shared.

Memory bus width differs: single-channel versus dual-channel. Memory bandwidth is listed as 59.7 GB/s for the Core 5 315, while the Core Ultra 5 236V has no listed bandwidth figure.

PCIe generation and lane count differ: Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 5 315, Gen 5 with 4 lanes for the Core Ultra 5 236V.

Integrated graphics differ: Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores versus Arc 130V.

Release dates differ: April 2026 for the Core 5 315, September 2024 for the Core Ultra 5 236V.

The Core 5 315 has a launch MSRP of $340. The Core Ultra 5 236V has no listed launch MSRP.

Part numbers also differ: SAEFC for the Core 5 315, SRPN2SRPN3 for the Core Ultra 5 236V.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in PassMark single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 wins with a score of 4021, which is 3.3 percent ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V's 3893.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V leads by 34.5 percent with a score of 171 against 112.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, compared to 4.40 GHz for the Intel Core 5 315.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 315 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V uses Intel BGA 2833.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 5 236V wins 15 of 17 benchmark comparisons and holds a 20.7 percent higher average benchmark score (21952 versus 18188). Its advantages span Cinebench multi-core, Cinebench single-core, and nearly all PassMark workloads. The two additional cores, higher base and boost clocks, dual-channel memory bus, larger L3 cache, and per-core L2 allocation all contribute to this result.

The Intel Core 5 315 does not lack merit. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4021 tops the Core Ultra 5 236V by 3.3 percent, indicating a slight edge in specific single-threaded workloads. Its lower TDP of 15 W versus 17 W also suggests modest efficiency headroom. The Core 5 315 uses the same 3 nm process node, though fabricated by Intel rather than TSMC.

For multi-threaded productivity, rendering, compilation, or any workload that scales across cores, the Core Ultra 5 236V is the stronger option. The 16.9 percent Cinebench R23 multi-core margin and 16.9 percent PassMark multithread margin are consistent and substantial. The 22.6 percent physics simulation advantage further confirms its compute throughput.

For users prioritizing single-thread performance in PassMark-style tests, the Core 5 315 holds a narrow edge. That 3.3 percent margin, however, does not extend to Cinebench single-core, where the Core Ultra 5 236V leads by approximately 17 percent. The single-thread advantage is therefore workload-specific rather than universal.

The Core Ultra 5 236V also offers a more capable integrated GPU with Arc 130V graphics, dual-channel memory, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. The Core 5 315 counters with a single-channel memory bus, PCIe Gen 4, and Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores.

The release timeline favors the Core 5 315 as a newer product, but the Core Ultra 5 236V's benchmark results show it remains the higher-performing part. The average benchmark score percentile of 75 for the Core Ultra 5 236V versus 72 for the Core 5 315 reflects this overall standing. Users requiring maximum compute throughput should select the Core Ultra 5 236V, while those with specific single-thread PassMark workloads may find the Core 5 315 adequate.