Intel Core 5 315 vs Intel Processor N250 Comparison

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Processor N250 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare between these two mobile processors?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 boosts up to 4.40 GHz, whereas the Intel Processor N250 reaches a maximum boost of 3.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 is built on a 3 nm process, while the Intel Processor N250 uses a 10 nm process.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory. The Intel Processor N250 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory.

Q: What is the TDP rating for each chip?

A: The Intel Core 5 315 has a TDP of 15 watts, and the Intel Processor N250 has a TDP of 6 watts.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: No, both the Intel Core 5 315 and the Intel Processor N250 do not support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural directions within Intel's mobile lineup. The Intel Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation. Its manufacturing process is 3 nm, which is a significant node advantage over the Intel Processor N250, which uses the Twin Lake codename and is part of the Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) generation, built on a 10 nm process.

The Intel Core 5 315 integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Intel Processor N250 instead integrates UHD Graphics 730. Both processors use single-channel memory buses, but the Core 5 315 has a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the N250 has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Cache layouts differ notably. The Core 5 315 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The N250 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both share the same total L3 capacity, but the L1 and L2 allocations are structured differently.

PCIe support also separates the two. The Core 5 315 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the N250 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Core 5 315 a newer PCIe generation, though fewer lanes.

Both processors are mobile parts with active production status. The Core 5 315 uses socket Intel BGA 1516, while the N250 uses socket Intel BGA 1264. The Core 5 315 has a launch MSRP of $340. The N250 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains recorded benchmark scores for the Intel Core 5 315 across multiple tests. The Intel Processor N250 has no benchmark entries in the database, so direct head-to-head comparisons rely entirely on the Core 5 315's absolute scores and its position among rival processors.

The Core 5 315 delivers a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 1308 and a single-core score of 184. In Cinebench R20, it scores 5452 multicore and 769 single-core. Cinebench R23 results show 12981 multicore and 1832 single-core. These numbers indicate a processor that scales well from single-threaded to multi-threaded workloads.

PassMark tests further detail the Core 5 315's strengths. Data compression scores 146143, data encryption scores 11119, and extended instructions score 13143. Floating point math reaches 42441, integer math reaches 31690, and multithread performance scores 15272. Physics tests score 1163, random string sorting scores 17551, and single-thread performance scores 4021. Prime number finding scores 112.

The Core 5 315 achieves an average benchmark score of 18188 and sits at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9274F with an average score of 18189 and a delta of 0%, the Intel Core i7-9700 with 18180 and 0%, the Intel Core i7-1365U with 18177 and 0.1%, and the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U with 18176 and 0.1%. The Core 5 315 effectively matches the EPYC 9274F within rounding, sits essentially even with the Core i7-9700, and trails the Core i7-1365U and Ryzen 7 5700U by only 0.1%.

Because the N250 has no benchmark scores recorded, there is no measured data to show where it wins or loses against the Core 5 315. The database provides no wins for either processor in head-to-head tests.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Core 5 315 and the Intel Processor N250:

• Cores: 6 vs 4
• Threads: 6 vs 4
• Base clock: 1.50 GHz vs 0.10 GHz
• Boost clock: 4.40 GHz vs 3.80 GHz
• TDP: 15 W vs 6 W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1516 vs Intel BGA 1264
• Codename: Wildcat Lake vs Twin Lake
• Generation: Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) vs Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N)
• Process node: 3 nm vs 10 nm
• L1 cache: 192 KB vs 96 KB per core
• L2 cache: 2.5 MB vs 2 MB (shared)
• Memory support: DDR5, LPDDR5X vs DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5
• Memory bandwidth: 59.7 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 4, 6 Lanes vs Gen 3, 9 Lanes
• Integrated graphics: Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) vs UHD Graphics 730
• Launch MSRP: $340 vs none recorded
• Part number: SAEFC vs SRPNS

Fields that match include manufacturer (Intel), single-channel memory bus, no ECC support, mobile market segment, active production status, locked multiplier, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 315 demonstrates clear advantages in raw compute based on its recorded benchmark data. Its 6-core, 6-thread configuration with a 4.40 GHz boost clock produces strong multi-threaded scores, as seen in Cinebench R23 multicore at 12981 and PassMark multithread at 15272. The 3 nm process node and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth support higher sustained performance for demanding applications. The Core 5 315 also supports newer PCIe Gen 4 and DDR5/LPDDR5X memory, making it more suitable for workloads that benefit from faster I/O and memory access.

The Intel Processor N250 has no benchmark scores in the database, so there is no measured evidence of a performance win for this chip. Its specification sheet shows a much lower TDP of 6 watts versus 15 watts for the Core 5 315, which indicates a significantly lower power envelope. The N250 also supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5 and LPDDR5, which could be relevant for systems using older memory modules. Its PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes offers more lanes than the Core 5 315's 6 lanes, which may suit configurations requiring additional connectivity at lower bandwidth.

The N250's 0.10 GHz base clock and 3.80 GHz boost clock suggest a design focused on efficiency rather than peak performance. Its 4-core, 4-thread layout with 96 KB L1 per core and 2 MB shared L2 cache indicates a lighter workload profile. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 provides basic display capabilities, while the Core 5 315's Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) is positioned for more graphics-intensive tasks.

The Verdict

The data clearly positions the Intel Core 5 315 as the higher-performance processor. Its benchmark scores place it at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, with an average score of 18188 that matches the AMD EPYC 9274F and exceeds the Intel Core i7-9700 by a negligible margin. The Core 5 315 delivers strong multi-threaded performance through its 6 cores and 6 threads, with Cinebench R23 multicore at 12981 and PassMark multithread at 15272. Single-thread performance is also solid, with Cinebench R23 single-core at 1832 and PassMark single-thread at 4021.

The Intel Processor N250 has no benchmark data recorded, so its performance profile cannot be quantified from the database. Its specifications indicate a lower-power, lower-complexity part with a 6-watt TDP and a 10 nm process. For workloads that require maximum throughput, the Core 5 315 is the only option with measured evidence of capability.

Users who prioritize low power consumption and minimal heat output may find the N250 attractive based on its 6-watt TDP, which is less than half of the Core 5 315's 15-watt rating. The N250's support for DDR4 memory and 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes could also serve basic embedded or lightweight mobile systems.

The Core 5 315, with its 3 nm process, 4.40 GHz boost clock, and 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, is the processor for applications that need consistent multi-threaded and single-threaded performance. Its launch MSRP of $340 reflects a higher-tier mobile part. The N250, lacking any recorded benchmark scores, cannot be recommended for performance-sensitive tasks based on the available data. The choice depends on whether the workload demands measured performance, which the Core 5 315 delivers, or minimal power draw, which the N250's specifications suggest.