Intel Core i3-1315U vs Intel Core i5-11400H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is decisive. The Intel Core i5-11400H wins 14 of the 17 shared benchmark comparisons, and in most of those wins, the margin is substantial. The Intel Core i3-1315U takes only 3 wins, and all of them come from the PassMark suite. The overall average benchmark score for the i5-11400H is 15749, compared to 15022 for the i3-1315U, a difference that places both at the 69th percentile of all CPUs in the database, but the i5 still holds a clear edge in aggregate performance.

The largest single victory for the i5-11400H comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 12971 against 7413 for the i3-1315U, a 75% advantage. This is not a narrow gap; it is a categorical difference in how the two processors handle instruction-heavy workloads. Random string sorting shows a similar pattern, with the i5 posting 22512 versus 14028, a 60.5% lead. Data compression tells the same story: 190855 for the i5 against 126436 for the i3, a 50.9% difference. These are the kinds of workloads that scale with core count, thread count, and sustained power delivery, and the i5-11400H clearly has the upper hand.

The Cinebench results are uniformly in favor of the i5-11400H. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5 scores 12859 against 9374 for the i3, a 37.2% lead. The single-core R23 test shows 1815 versus 1323, also a 37.2% gap. The R20 and R15 tests follow the same pattern: R20 multi-core is 5400 versus 3937 (37.2%), R20 single-core is 762 versus 555 (37.3%), R15 multi-core is 1296 versus 944 (37.3%), and R15 single-core is 182 versus 133 (36.8%). These consistent deltas across every Cinebench generation indicate that the performance difference is structural, not workload-specific.

PassMark integer math favors the i5 by 41.6%, with scores of 53286 and 37644 respectively. Floating point math shows a smaller but still meaningful lead for the i5: 32060 versus 27012, an 18.7% advantage. Multithreaded performance in PassMark gives the i5 a 33.7% lead, scoring 15346 against 11482. Data encryption also goes to the i5, 9309 versus 7583, a 22.8% margin. Prime number finding is closer, but the i5 still wins with 47 against 41, a 14.6% difference.

The i3-1315U does have its moments, however. In PassMark single-thread, the i3 posts 3380 against 2975 for the i5, a 12% advantage. This is a notable result because it shows that the newer Raptor Lake architecture has a real single-core speed advantage in this specific test, despite the i5 winning every single-core Cinebench test. The other two wins for the i3 come in PassMark physics, where it scores 706 versus 678, a 4% edge, and that same single-thread result is recorded twice in the database under slightly different test names. The head-to-head tally stands at 14 wins for the i5 and 3 for the i3.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two processors is significant. The i5-11400H is built on the Tiger Lake-H architecture, part of Intel's 11th generation Core lineup, and it uses a 10 nm process node with a die size of 190 mm². The i3-1315U is a Raptor Lake-U part, belonging to the 13th generation, and it also uses a 10 nm process node, though its die size is not recorded in the database. Both are manufactured by Intel.

The core counts are identical at 6 physical cores, but the thread counts differ. The i5-11400H supports 12 threads, meaning it has hyper-threading enabled across all cores. The i3-1315U supports only 8 threads, indicating that only some of its cores are hyper-threaded, a common design choice for low-power U-series parts that mix performance cores with efficiency cores. This difference in thread count is a primary driver of the i5's multi-core benchmark dominance.

Cache configurations are similar in structure but differ in total L3 capacity. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is 12 MB shared on the i5-11400H, while the i3-1315U has 10 MB shared. The i5 has an additional 2 MB of shared L3 cache, which can help in workloads that benefit from larger pooled data.

Memory support differs as well. The i5-11400H supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel operation and a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i3-1315U supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. The i3's support for DDR5 gives it a potential advantage in memory technology compatibility, but without a bandwidth measurement for the i3, the actual throughput comparison cannot be quantified from the recorded data.

PCIe lanes also separate the two. The i5-11400H offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the i3-1315U offers PCIe Gen 4 with only 8 lanes. This makes the i5 substantially better suited for connecting multiple high-bandwidth devices, such as discrete GPUs and fast NVMe storage, without lane contention.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-11400H has UHD Graphics, while the i3-1315U has UHD Graphics 64EU. The "64EU" designation in the i3's name suggests a higher execution unit count, but the database does not provide benchmark scores for integrated graphics on either part, so no performance conclusion can be drawn from that alone.

The i5-11400H has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, with a TDP of 35 watts. The i3-1315U has a base clock listed as 1200.00 MHz, which is presumably a typo for 1.20 GHz, but the number as recorded is 1200.00, and its boost clock is also 4.50 GHz. Its TDP is 15 watts, which is less than half that of the i5. This TDP difference is critical: the i5 is designed for higher sustained performance at the cost of power, while the i3 is engineered for efficiency in thin-and-light laptops.

The sockets are different as well. The i5 uses Intel BGA 1787, while the i3 uses Intel BGA 1744. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard, and a system designed for one will not accept the other. Release dates also differ, with the i5 launching on 2021-05-10 and the i3 launching on 2023-01-03, nearly two years later.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-11400H is the clear winner for compute-heavy workloads. Its 12 threads, larger 12 MB L3 cache, and 35-watt TDP allow it to sustain high performance in multi-threaded applications. The data shows a 37.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, a 33.7% lead in PassMark multithread, and a 41.6% lead in PassMark integer math. For rendering, video encoding, software compilation, data compression, and any task that can use more than 8 threads, the i5 is the stronger choice. The 50.9% lead in data compression and the 60.5% lead in random string sorting reinforce this.

The i3-1315U wins in specific single-threaded scenarios. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3380 is 12% higher than the i5's 2975. This suggests that in lightly threaded applications that are not well-optimized for the i5's architecture, the i3 can feel snappier. The PassMark physics win, 706 versus 678, is a 4% advantage, and physics simulations often rely on a mix of single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, so this is a narrow but real edge.

The i3-1315U also has the advantage of a much lower TDP at 15 watts compared to 35 watts. For fanless or passively cooled designs, or for laptops where battery life is paramount, the i3 is the more appropriate part. Its support for DDR5 memory also makes it a more modern platform choice for new designs, even though the i5 has a higher measured memory bandwidth on DDR4.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400H is significantly ahead. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 12859 against 9374 for the i3-1315U, a 37.2% lead. It also wins PassMark multithread with 15346 versus 11482, a 33.7% advantage.

Q: Does the i3-1315U win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes. The i3-1315U wins PassMark single-thread with 3380 versus 2975, a 12% lead, and PassMark physics with 706 versus 678, a 4% lead. The single-thread result is recorded twice in the database.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: Both have 6 physical cores. The i5-11400H has 12 threads, while the i3-1315U has 8 threads.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The i5-11400H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-1315U has 10 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The i3-1315U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The i5-11400H supports only DDR4.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-11400H has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i3-1315U has a TDP of 15 watts.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-11400H is the superior processor for raw performance. The data is unambiguous: 14 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests, with many of those wins exceeding 30% margins. For any user running multi-threaded workloads, such as 3D rendering, video editing, data compression, or software development, the i5-11400H is the correct choice. Its 12 threads, 12 MB L3 cache, and higher TDP deliver a 37.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 50.9% lead in data compression, which are not marginal differences but substantial ones.

The Intel Core i3-1315U is the better choice for efficiency-focused designs. Its 15-watt TDP is less than half that of the i5, making it suitable for ultra-portable laptops where battery life and thermal management are priorities. Its 12% lead in PassMark single-thread performance shows that it is not without merit for everyday tasks like web browsing and office applications, and its support for DDR5 memory makes it a more forward-looking platform choice. However, in a pure performance comparison, it loses decisively.

The i5-11400H also has the advantage of 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus 8 for the i3, which matters for systems with discrete GPUs or multiple NVMe drives. The i3's integrated graphics are named with a higher EU count, but no benchmark data exists in the database to confirm any graphical advantage. For users who need a laptop that can handle serious compute work, the i5-11400H is the answer. For users who need a long-lasting, cool-running machine for modest workloads, the i3-1315U is the more appropriate fit, but they must accept a significant multi-core performance deficit.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-11400H | Intel Core i3-1315U |

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

| Generation | Core i5 (Tiger Lake-H) | Core i3 (Raptor Lake-U) |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-H | Raptor Lake-U |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 1200.00 MHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 10 MB (shared) |

| Die Size | 190 mm² | Not recorded |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU |

| Release Date | 2021-05-10 | 2023-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $250 | $309 |

| Part Number | SRKT1 | SRMLV |