Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock differences between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX boosts up to 5.10 GHz, whereas the Intel Core 5 315 boosts to 4.40 GHz. The base clocks are 3.10 GHz and 1.50 GHz, respectively.

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX records an average benchmark score of 48287, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 315 averages 18188, which sits in the 72nd percentile.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 32358 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core 5 315 scores 12981. That translates to a 59.9% deficit for the Core 5 315.

Q: Are both processors built on the same process node?

A: Yes, both use a 3 nm process node. However, the Intel Core 5 315 is fabricated by Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX is fabricated by TSMC.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel memory bus, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus. The memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s for the Core 5 315 and 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 5 245HX.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply in architecture. The Intel Core 5 315 belongs to the Wildcat Lake generation and carries 6 cores with 6 threads. Its cache layout includes 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The chip uses a single-channel memory bus and supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory. Its integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The processor is built on Intel's own 3 nm process and uses the Intel BGA 1516 socket.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX is a fundamentally larger design. It is part of the Core Ultra Series 2 and uses the Arrow Lake-HX architecture. It has 14 cores and 14 threads. The L1 cache is listed as 192 KB per core, L2 as 3 MB per core, and L3 as 24 MB shared. The memory interface is dual-channel with a peak bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, and it supports only DDR5. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG with 48 execution units. It uses a dual-channel memory bus, Gen 5 PCIe with 20 CPU lanes, and is built by TSMC on a 3 nm process. The transistor count is 17,800 million on a 243 mm² die. The socket is Intel BGA 2114.

The difference in memory bandwidth is substantial. The Core Ultra 5 245HX delivers 102.4 GB/s against 59.7 GB/s for the Core 5 315. The PCIe generation also differs, with the Core Ultra 5 245HX offering Gen 5 and 20 lanes versus Gen 4 and 6 lanes for the Core 5 315. The Core Ultra 5 245HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 5 315 is locked.

The power envelopes are far apart. The Core 5 315 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX has a TDP of 55 watts. This difference explains much of the performance gap. The Core 5 315 is a low-power part aimed at efficiency, while the Core Ultra 5 245HX is a high-performance mobile processor.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX wins every single benchmark in the database. That is 17 wins out of 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Core 5 315 does not win a single test. The margin ranges from narrow to enormous.

The Core 5 315 is not without its place. Its 15 watt TDP and single-channel memory make it suited for lightweight, fanless or low-power mobile designs where battery life matters more than compute throughput. It still holds a 72nd percentile ranking across all CPUs, which indicates it is a capable processor for everyday tasks despite its modest core count. Its support for LPDDR5X memory is an advantage for compact systems that need power-efficient memory.

The Core Ultra 5 245HX is the clear choice for demanding workloads. Its 90th percentile ranking and average score of 48287 put it in a different performance class. Multi-threaded rendering, scientific computing, content creation, and heavy multitasking all fall squarely into its domain. The 14 cores and 14 threads, combined with 24 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel memory, give it the resources to sustain high throughput.

The largest relative advantage for the Core Ultra 5 245HX appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where it leads by 68.8%. The smallest advantage is in PassMark single-thread, where it leads by 10.3%. That single-thread result shows that the Core 5 315 has competitive per-core performance but is held back by its lower clock speed and smaller cache. The boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 5.10 GHz accounts for part of that gap.

For users who need maximum performance in a mobile form factor, the Core Ultra 5 245HX is the only choice between these two. For users who prioritize low power consumption and do not need heavy compute, the Core 5 315 remains functional but is significantly slower in every measured test.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 315 | Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX |

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

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 6 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Arrow Lake-HX |

| Generation | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) | Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake-HX) |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 48EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SAEFC | SRVFM |

| Launch MSRP | $340 | Not specified |

The release dates also differ. The Core Ultra 5 245HX was released on 2025-01-12, while the Core 5 315 follows on 2026-04-15. Both are currently active in production. Both are mobile market segments and neither supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent and decisive advantage for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 3261 against 1308 for the Core 5 315, a 59.9% deficit. The single-core R15 result is 460 versus 184, a 60% gap.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. Multi-core scores are 13590 for the Core Ultra 5 245HX and 5452 for the Core 5 315, again a 59.9% difference. Single-core R20 shows 1918 versus 769, a 59.9% deficit.

Cinebench R23 multi-core is 32358 for the Core Ultra 5 245HX versus 12981 for the Core 5 315. The single-core R23 result is 4568 versus 1832. Both show a 59.9% gap.

PassMark tests reveal where the architectural differences matter most. Data compression shows the Core Ultra 5 245HX at 393071 against 146143, a 62.8% lead. Data encryption is 30022 versus 11119, a 63% lead. Extended instructions are 31212 versus 13143, a 57.9% lead. Find prime numbers shows the largest gap, 359 versus 112, which is 68.8% in favor of the Core Ultra 5 245HX.

Floating point math favors the Core Ultra 5 245HX by 64.8%, with scores of 120735 and 42441. Integer math shows a 65.6% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245HX, at 92150 versus 31690. The multithread score is 38069 against 15272, a 59.9% difference. Physics tests show 2526 versus 1163, a 54% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245HX. Random string sorting is 47616 versus 17551, a 63.1% gap.

The closest result is in PassMark single-thread. The Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 4481, while the Core 5 315 scores 4021. That is a 10.3% lead, still a clear win but far narrower than the multi-threaded tests. This suggests that the Core 5 315 has a reasonably strong single-core design, but the Core Ultra 5 245HX has the advantage of a higher boost clock and larger caches.

The average benchmark score difference is substantial. The Core Ultra 5 245HX averages 48287, while the Core 5 315 averages 18188. The percentile ranking difference is 90 versus 72. In the nearest rivals data, the Core 5 315 sits close to the Intel Core i7-9700 and AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, with delta percentages within 0.1%. The Core Ultra 5 245HX, by comparison, is within 0.7% of the Intel Core i5-14600K. That places the two processors in entirely different performance tiers despite sharing the same process node and Intel branding.