Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

Intel Core 5 315 and Intel Processor N150 occupy very different positions in the mobile processor stack. The Core 5 315 is a 6-core, 6-thread part built on a 3 nm process, while the N150 is a 4-core, 4-thread chip on a 10 nm process. The benchmark data shows a consistent and often massive performance gap, with the Core 5 315 winning all four head-to-head tests. The N150, however, has its own role based on efficiency and platform characteristics. This analysis walks through the recorded data to clarify where each processor fits.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 315 wins every recorded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its advantages range from a 20.1% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core to a 401.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The data indicates this is not a marginal difference but a generational and architectural chasm. The Core 5 315 is suited for workloads that demand sustained multi-threaded throughput, such as compilation, content creation, or heavy productivity tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12981 versus the N150's 2590.5 confirms a roughly fivefold advantage in this render test.

The Intel Processor N150 wins no benchmark in the comparison set. Its strengths lie elsewhere, specifically in its power envelope. The N150 carries a 6 W TDP, while the Core 5 315 is rated at 15 W. The N150 also has a lower base clock of 0.10 GHz, which indicates a design focused on minimal idle and light-load power draw. For fanless or passively cooled systems, or for devices where battery life trumps performance, the N150 is the more appropriate choice, even though the recorded data shows it trailing in every computational test.

The percentile data reinforces this split. The Core 5 315 sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the N150 sits at the 28th percentile. The Core 5 315's average benchmark score of 18188 places it alongside the AMD EPYC 9274F and Intel Core i7-9700, both with an average score within 0% delta. The N150's average score of 1025 places it near the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T and Intel Core i3-4340, with deltas of 0.1% and -0.1% respectively. These rival comparisons show the Core 5 315 competing with older desktop-class parts, while the N150 sits near much older or lower-tier hardware.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and design generations. The Core 5 315 uses a 3 nm process and carries the codename Wildcat Lake, with its generation listed as Core 5 (Wildcat Lake). The N150 uses a 10 nm process, carries the Twin Lake codename, and its generation is listed as Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N). Both are manufactured by Intel, but the node difference is substantial: 3 nm versus 10 nm directly explains a large portion of the performance and efficiency gap.

Core counts differ as well. The Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither processor supports simultaneous multithreading. The Core 5 315's cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The N150 lists 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. Both share the same L3 capacity, but the Core 5 315 has more L1 and L2 resources.

Memory support diverges. The Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5. Both use a single-channel memory bus, but the bandwidth differs: the Core 5 315 records 59.7 GB/s, while the N150 records 38.4 GB/s. The Core 5 315 also uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, whereas the N150 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 9 CPU lanes. Neither supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 5 315 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the N150 uses UHD Graphics 730. The sockets are different as well: the Core 5 315 uses Intel BGA 1516, and the N150 uses Intel BGA 1264. The release dates are also far apart, with the N150 released in November 2024 and the Core 5 315 dated April 2026. The Core 5 315 has a launch MSRP of $340, while the N150 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the Core 5 315 scoring 1308 against the N150's 422.5, a delta of 209.6% in favor of the Core 5 315. This is more than a threefold difference in a test that scales with core count and clock speed. The Core 5 315's boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus the N150's 3.60 GHz contributes, but the core count and node advantage are the primary factors.

The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows a smaller but still clear gap. The Core 5 315 scores 184, the N150 scores 153.15, for a 20.1% delta. This indicates that even in lightly threaded workloads, the Core 5 315's architecture and higher boost clock deliver a meaningful edge. A 20.1% single-core lead is enough to feel snappier in everyday applications that rely on a single thread.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test produces the largest delta in the comparison. The Core 5 315 scores 12981, the N150 scores 2590.5, a 401.1% difference. This is a fivefold performance advantage in a modern render workload. For any multi-threaded task, the Core 5 315 is in a different class entirely. The N150's score of 2590.5 is roughly what one would expect from a low-power, efficiency-oriented chip.

The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the Core 5 315 at 1832 and the N150 at 935, a 95.9% delta. The Core 5 315 nearly doubles the N150's single-core score. This result is notable because single-core performance is often the limiting factor for older or less capable processors. The data shows the Core 5 315 delivering close to double the single-threaded performance of the N150 in this test.

Looking beyond the head-to-head set, the Core 5 315 has additional recorded benchmarks that the N150 lacks. These include PassMark tests for data compression (146143), data encryption (11119), extended instructions (13143), find prime numbers (112), floating point math (42441), integer math (31690), multithread (15272), physics (1163), random string sorting (17551), and single thread (4021). The N150 has no recorded PassMark scores in the database, which limits direct comparison in those workloads. The available Cinebench data, however, is sufficient to establish the performance hierarchy.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for users who need compute performance. The Intel Core 5 315 wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, with deltas ranging from 20.1% to 401.1%. Its 72nd percentile ranking, average benchmark score of 18188, and 4.40 GHz boost clock make it a capable mobile processor for multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks alike. The 15 W TDP is higher than the N150's 6 W, but the performance return is substantial.

The Intel Processor N150 is the choice for systems where power draw is the primary constraint. Its 6 W TDP and 0.10 GHz base clock point to a design that prioritizes efficiency over throughput. Its 28th percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 1025 confirm that it is not meant for demanding workloads. For basic tasks, lightweight systems, or fanless designs, the N150's lower power envelope is the deciding factor.

The comparison is not a close contest in raw performance. The Core 5 315's 3 nm node, 6 cores, and higher clocks produce results that are multiples of the N150's scores. The N150's advantages are limited to power consumption and platform cost, though the latter is not quantified in the database. Users who need performance should select the Core 5 315. Users who need minimal power draw should select the N150. The recorded data does not support any other conclusion.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core 5 315 in multi-core workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 5 315 scores 12981 versus the N150's 2590.5, a 401.1% delta. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core 5 315 scores 1308 versus 422.5, a 209.6% delta.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 5 315 scores 1832 versus 935, a 95.9% delta. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core 5 315 scores 184 versus 153.15, a 20.1% delta.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel Processor N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What are the TDP values for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has a TDP of 15 W. The Intel Processor N150 has a TDP of 6 W.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing node?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 uses a 3 nm process. The Intel Processor N150 uses a 10 nm process.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall database ranking?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 18188. The Intel Processor N150 sits at the 28th percentile, with an average benchmark score of 1025.

Specification Differences

The following table lists only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Core 5 315 | Intel Processor N150 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 6 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1.50 GHz | 0.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 6 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1516 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Codename | Wildcat Lake | Twin Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB | 2 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Release Date | 2026-04-15 | 2024-11-19 |

| Launch MSRP | $340 | None |

| Part Number | SAEFC | SRPNR |

| Cinebench R15 Multi-core | 1308 | 422.5 |

| Cinebench R15 Single-core | 184 | 153.15 |

| Cinebench R23 Multi-core | 12981 | 2590.5 |

| Cinebench R23 Single-core | 1832 | 935 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 72 | 28 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 18188 | 1025 |