Intel Core i3-1215U vs Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of two very different processors. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-1215U takes 5. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

In Cinebench workloads, the Core Ultra 3 105UL is decisively ahead. The multicore results show a consistent advantage of roughly 31.6% to 31.7% across all three versions of the test. Cinebench R23 multicore scores 8742 for the Ultra 3 105UL versus 6644 for the i3-1215U. Cinebench R20 multicore follows the same pattern at 3671 versus 2790, and R15 multicore lands at 881 versus 669. The single-core Cinebench results are nearly identical in percentage terms, with the Ultra 3 105UL ahead by 31.6% in R23 single-core (1234 versus 938) and 31.8% in R20 single-core (518 versus 393). This consistency across all Cinebench iterations suggests a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The PassMark suite reveals a more fragmented picture. The Ultra 3 105UL dominates in several compute-heavy tests. PassMark find prime numbers shows the largest single margin of the entire comparison, with the Ultra 3 105UL scoring 44 versus 32, a 37.5% advantage. Floating point math goes to the Ultra 3 105UL at 30750 versus 25379, a 21.2% lead. Integer math favors the Ultra 3 105UL at 41171 versus 35534, a 15.9% edge. Physics simulation also goes to the Ultra 3 105UL, 718 versus 583, a 23.2% margin. Even in single-threaded PassMark tests, the Ultra 3 105UL edges ahead at 3382 versus 3218, a more modest 5.1% lead.

The i3-1215U, however, wins where the workload involves data manipulation and specialized instructions. PassMark data compression goes to the i3-1215U at 116705 versus 93961, a 19.5% margin. Data encryption favors the i3-1215U at 7041 versus 6354, a 9.8% gap. Extended instructions land with the i3-1215U at 6868 versus 5634, an 18% difference. Random string sorting also goes to the i3-1215U at 13046 versus 11179, a 14.3% margin. The PassMark multithread test is nearly a tie, with the i3-1215U ahead by only 1.8% at 10472 versus 10285.

The average benchmark scores reflect this mixed outcome. The Ultra 3 105UL averages 13061 across its benchmark set, placing it at the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-9400F at 13041 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core i7-10750H at 13024 (0.3% behind). It also sits just ahead of the Intel Core i5-8500, which scores 13142 and is 0.6% ahead of the Ultra 3 105UL. The i3-1215U averages 12604, placing it at the 67th percentile. Its closest comparison is the Intel Atom x7809C at 12607, a negligible 0.04% difference. The i3-1215U also trades blows with the Intel Core i3-10105F at 12644, which is 0.3% ahead, and the Intel Core i5-1230U at 12559, which is 0.4% behind.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on the workload profile. The data shows the Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL is the stronger all-around performer for CPU-intensive tasks. Its Cinebench dominance is unambiguous, with leads of roughly 31.6% across every iteration of that benchmark. For rendering, physics simulation, prime number calculation, and integer or floating point math, the Ultra 3 105UL is the clear pick. Its 5.1% single-thread PassMark advantage also makes it the better option for lightly threaded applications.

The Intel Core i3-1215U is the better choice for specific data-oriented workloads. It holds a 19.5% lead in data compression, a 9.8% edge in encryption, an 18% advantage in extended instructions, and a 14.3% lead in random string sorting. Users whose primary tasks involve compression, encryption, or similar data transformation workloads will see better results from the i3-1215U. The nearly identical PassMark multithread scores, within 1.8%, mean neither chip has a meaningful edge in general multithreaded throughput.

The overall average benchmark scores put the Ultra 3 105UL ahead, 13061 versus 12604, and it sits one percentile point higher at 68 versus 67. The Ultra 3 105UL also compares favorably against established desktop parts like the Core i5-9400F and Core i7-10750H. The i3-1215U, meanwhile, aligns with entry-level desktop and mobile parts like the Core i3-10105F. For most productivity and compute workloads, the data points to the Ultra 3 105UL. For compression and encryption-heavy pipelines, the i3-1215U is the better fit.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design generations and target different market segments. The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1, built on the Meteor Lake architecture with the Meteor Lake-PS codename. It is manufactured on Intel's 7 nm process node and targets the desktop segment. The Intel Core i3-1215U belongs to the Alder Lake generation, specifically the Alder Lake-U codename, manufactured on a 10 nm process node and aimed at the mobile segment.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads, while the i3-1215U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The cache hierarchies also differ. The Ultra 3 105UL carries 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-1215U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with the same 10 MB of shared L3 cache.

The integrated graphics solutions are different as well. The Ultra 3 105UL features Arc Xe-LPG with 48 execution units, while the i3-1215U ships with UHD Graphics with 64 execution units. Despite having fewer execution units, the Arc branding indicates a newer graphics architecture. Memory support differs too: the Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 with capacity depending on the motherboard, while the i3-1215U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Ultra 3 105UL has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the i3-1215U has no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

PCI Express connectivity also separates the two. The Ultra 3 105UL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the i3-1215U provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. The Ultra 3 105UL uses the Intel Socket 1851, while the i3-1215U uses Intel BGA 1744, reflecting the desktop versus mobile design split. The Ultra 3 105UL was released on 2024-04-07, while the i3-1215U was released on 2022-02-22.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ across several recorded specifications. The Core Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads, whereas the Core i3-1215U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The base clock is recorded as 1.50 GHz for the Ultra 3 105UL and 1200.00 MHz for the i3-1215U. Boost clocks are closer, at 4.20 GHz for the Ultra 3 105UL and 4.40 GHz for the i3-1215U. Both have a TDP of 15 watts.

The process nodes differ, with the Ultra 3 105UL at 7 nm and the i3-1215U at 10 nm. L1 cache per core is 112 KB versus 80 KB, and L2 cache per core is 2 MB versus 1.25 MB. Both share 10 MB of L3 cache. The Ultra 3 105UL supports DDR5 memory only, while the i3-1215U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded at 89.6 GB/s for the Ultra 3 105UL, with no figure for the i3-1215U. PCIe lanes differ at 8 versus 20, both on Gen 4. Integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG 48EU for the Ultra 3 105UL and UHD Graphics 64EU for the i3-1215U. The Ultra 3 105UL has a launch MSRP of $295, while the i3-1215U has no recorded launch MSRP. Market segments differ, with the Ultra 3 105UL listed as Desktop and the i3-1215U as Mobile. Part numbers are SRN9D for the Ultra 3 105UL and SRLFU for the i3-1215U.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 3 105UL has 8 cores and 10 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1215U has 6 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How large is the Cinebench R23 multicore gap between the two?

A: The Ultra 3 105UL scores 8742 in Cinebench R23 multicore, versus 6644 for the i3-1215U, a 31.6% advantage.

Q: In which benchmarks does the i3-1215U outperform the Ultra 3 105UL?

A: The i3-1215U wins in PassMark data compression by 19.5%, data encryption by 9.8%, extended instructions by 18%, random string sorting by 14.3%, and PassMark multithread by 1.8%.

Q: Do both processors have the same TDP?

A: Yes, both the Core Ultra 3 105UL and the Core i3-1215U have a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The Ultra 3 105UL is built on Intel's 7 nm process, while the i3-1215U is built on Intel's 10 nm process.

Q: Which processor has a higher PassMark single-thread score?

A: The Ultra 3 105UL scores 3382 in PassMark single-thread, compared to 3218 for the i3-1215U, a 5.1% lead.