Intel Core i3-1315UE vs Intel Core i5-6600 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6600 and Intel Core i3-1315UE occupy the same average benchmark tier, but they achieve it through entirely different designs and eras. The i5-6600 is a 14 nm desktop Skylake part from 2015, while the i3-1315UE is a 10 nm Raptor Lake-U mobile processor from 2023. Despite the i3-1315UE winning every head-to-head benchmark by roughly 14%, both CPUs hold the same 41st percentile ranking among all tested processors, with average scores of 1744 and 1739 respectively. This close aggregate performance masks significant architectural shifts, core-count differences, and use-case suitability that the data reveals in detail.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315UE has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-6600 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3-1315UE provides 2 additional cores and 4 additional threads, which directly supports its multi-threaded benchmark advantage.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600 has an average benchmark score of 1744, while the Intel Core i3-1315UE scores 1739. The i5-6600 is effectively tied with the i3-1315UE, with the i5-6600 being 0.3% ahead of its rival in this aggregate metric.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two in any single test?

A: The largest gap appears in Cinebench R20 single-core and Cinebench R23 single-core tests, where the Intel Core i3-1315UE leads by 14.3% in each. The i3-1315UE scores 356 versus 305 in R20 single-core, and 849 versus 728 in R23 single-core.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory standards?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315UE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Intel Core i5-6600 supports DDR3 and DDR4. The i3-1315UE also has a higher memory bandwidth capability, although the i5-6600 has a stated bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s while the i3-1315UE has no listed value.

Q: How do their PCIe capabilities differ?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i3-1315UE offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The i3-1315UE supports a newer PCIe generation but with fewer lanes.

Q: What is the production status and release timeline for each?

A: The Intel Core i5-6600 is end-of-life and was released on 2015-06-30. The Intel Core i3-1315UE is active and was released on 2023-01-03. The i5-6600 has a launch MSRP of $224, while the i3-1315UE has no listed launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1315UE wins every single benchmark comparison in the data, making it the clear choice for raw performance across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. In multi-core tests, the i3-1315UE leads by 14.2% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, which translates to scores of 606 versus 520, 2525 versus 2167, and 6013 versus 5161 respectively. This consistent margin suggests the i3-1315UE's 6-core, 8-thread configuration provides a structural advantage over the i5-6600's 4-core, 4-thread setup.

The single-core tests show a similar pattern, with the i3-1315UE ahead by 14.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core (85 versus 73) and 14.3% in both R20 single-core (356 versus 305) and R23 single-core (849 versus 728). This means the i3-1315UE does not merely win on thread count; it also extracts more performance per core, likely due to its newer Raptor Lake architecture and higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 3.90 GHz.

However, the Intel Core i5-6600 does hold one distinct advantage: its desktop form factor. With an Intel Socket 1151 and a 35 W TDP, it is designed for stationary systems where power draw is less critical. The i5-6600 also provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which is double the lane count of the i3-1315UE, making it more suitable for systems with multiple expansion cards or high-bandwidth peripherals. The i5-6600's 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth is a listed figure, whereas the i3-1315UE has no stated bandwidth, suggesting the desktop part may have a more predictable memory throughput profile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The Intel Core i5-6600 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm². The Intel Core i3-1315UE uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, though its die size is not listed. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the process node shrink from 14 nm to 10 nm represents a significant generational leap in transistor density and power efficiency.

Cache hierarchies also differ substantially. The i5-6600 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-1315UE has larger per-core allocations: 80 KB of L1, 1.25 MB of L2, and 10 MB of shared L3. The i3-1315UE's L2 cache is nearly five times larger per core, which helps explain its single-core performance advantage despite the i5-6600's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus the i3-1315UE's 1.20 GHz base clock.

The i3-1315UE also uses a hybrid core configuration, as implied by its 6 cores and 8 threads, which is typical of Raptor Lake-U designs. The i5-6600 uses a homogeneous 4-core, 4-thread layout. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-6600 has UHD Graphics 530, while the i3-1315UE has UHD Graphics 64EU, indicating a newer and potentially more capable graphics unit on the mobile part.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the core and thread count: the i3-1315UE has 6 cores and 8 threads versus the i5-6600's 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are starkly different, with the i5-6600 running at 3.30 GHz and the i3-1315UE at 1.20 GHz, though the i3-1315UE boosts to 4.50 GHz versus the i5-6600's 3.90 GHz. The TDP also diverges sharply: the i5-6600 draws 35 W, while the i3-1315UE is rated at 15 W, making the mobile part far more power-efficient on paper.

Socket compatibility is entirely different, with the i5-6600 using Intel Socket 1151 and the i3-1315UE using Intel BGA 1744, meaning they are not interchangeable. The i5-6600 is a desktop part, while the i3-1315UE is mobile. Process nodes differ (14 nm versus 10 nm), as do cache sizes (6 MB L3 versus 10 MB L3). Memory support sees the i5-6600 limited to DDR3 and DDR4, while the i3-1315UE adds DDR5 support. PCIe generations also differ: Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the i5-6600 versus Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the i3-1315UE. The i5-6600 has a launch MSRP of $224 and a part number of SR2BWSR2L5; the i3-1315UE has neither a launch MSRP nor a part number listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-1315UE wins all six benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-1315UE scores 606 against the i5-6600's 520, a 14.2% delta. The single-core R15 test shows a 14.1% lead for the i3-1315UE with scores of 85 and 73. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore gap remains at 14.2% (2525 versus 2167), while single-core widens slightly to 14.3% (356 versus 305).

Cinebench R23 results follow the same pattern, with the i3-1315UE leading multicore by 14.2% (6013 versus 5161) and single-core by 14.3% (849 versus 728). The consistency of these deltas—hovering between 14.1% and 14.3% across all tests—indicates that the i3-1315UE's advantage is uniform rather than workload-specific. The i3-1315UE does not have a Geekbench score in the data, while the i5-6600 posts 3755 in Geekbench multicore and 1239 in Geekbench single-core, but without a comparable i3-1315UE score, this cannot be used for direct comparison.

The nearest rival data places both processors in the same performance neighborhood. The i5-6600's closest rivals include the Intel Core i7-980X (avg score 1746, delta -0.1%), AMD Ryzen 3 4300U (1742, delta 0.1%), and Intel Core i3-10100 (1742, delta 0.1%). The i3-1315UE's rivals include the same Intel Core i3-10100 (1742, delta -0.1%) and AMD Ryzen 3 4300U (1742, delta -0.2%), plus the i5-6600 itself (1744, delta -0.3%). This shows both CPUs are interchangeable in aggregate performance, despite the i3-1315UE's clean sweep in direct comparisons.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but nuanced conclusion. For raw benchmark performance, the Intel Core i3-1315UE is the superior processor, winning every head-to-head test by roughly 14% and offering higher core counts, more threads, and a newer architecture. Anyone prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness or multi-threaded rendering should choose the i3-1315UE, as its Cinebench R23 scores of 6013 (multicore) and 849 (single-core) outclass the i5-6600's 5161 and 728 respectively.

However, the Intel Core i5-6600 remains relevant for specific desktop use cases. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes double the i3-1315UE's 8 Gen 4 lanes, making it a better fit for systems requiring multiple expansion cards. Its 35 W TDP, while higher, is typical for a desktop part and comes with a 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth figure that is absent from the i3-1315UE's spec sheet. The i5-6600 also has a defined launch MSRP of $224, giving it a reference point that the i3-1315UE lacks.

The production status is a decisive factor. The i5-6600 is end-of-life, meaning new systems should not be built around it. The i3-1315UE is active and current, ensuring ongoing availability. Since both processors land at the 41st percentile and have average scores within 0.3% of each other, the i3-1315UE offers the same aggregate performance level as the older i5-6600 while adding newer features, lower power draw, and a smaller footprint. The verdict is straightforward: choose the i3-1315UE for new builds or upgrades where performance and efficiency matter, and consider the i5-6600 only if you require its specific desktop socket, higher PCIe lane count, or have legacy platform constraints.