Intel Core i3-1315UE vs Intel Core i7-4870HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear, one-sided picture in direct comparisons. Across every Cinebench test in the database, the Intel Core i3-1315UE outperforms the Intel Core i7-4870HQ. In the six head-to-head benchmark results, the i3-1315UE claims a perfect 6-0 victory, leaving the older i7 without a single win.

The margins are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-1315UE scores 606 against the i7-4870HQ's 540, a delta of -10.9% from the perspective of the i7. The single-core R15 result shows a similar gap: 85 versus 76, a -10.6% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore test yields 2525 for the i3 against 2253 for the i7, a -10.8% delta. The single-core R20 result is 356 versus 317, the largest percentage gap in the entire comparison at -11%. The most recent Cinebench R23 tests continue the trend, with the i3-1315UE posting 6013 multicore and 849 single-core, against the i7-4870HQ's 5366 and 757, both at -10.8% deltas.

This uniformity in the differential is striking. It suggests the performance advantage is not workload-specific but rather a broad, architectural leap. The newer i3 does not merely edge out the older i7 in one niche; it maintains a steady, roughly 10% to 11% lead across all tested rendering and compute scenarios. The average benchmark score, which aggregates results, confirms this overall positioning. The i7-4870HQ has an average score of 1769, while the i3-1315UE sits at 1739. Despite the i3 winning every head-to-head test, its average is slightly lower, a quirk of the different benchmark suites included in each processor's record. The i7's Geekbench scores, 3701 multicore and 1143 single-core, are not part of the head-to-head matrix but are included in its average, pulling that figure upward. The i3-1315UE lacks those Geekbench entries in its database profile.

Both processors share the same 41st percentile against all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite the consistent deltas in these specific tests.

Architecture Differences

The two chips represent a significant generational divide. The Intel Core i7-4870HQ is built on the Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystalwell, and belongs to the Core i7 (Crystal Well) generation. It uses a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 264 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core i3-1315UE is based on Raptor Lake, specifically Raptor Lake-U, and uses a 10 nm process node. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the i3.

Core configuration differs substantially. The i7-4870HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-1315UE has 6 cores and 8 threads. This two-core advantage for the i3 is notable, even though thread counts match. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i7-4870HQ features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-1315UE has a different layout: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 10 MB of shared L3. The L2 allocation is particularly interesting, as the i3's per-core L2 is nearly five times larger.

Clock speeds tell a complex story. The i7-4870HQ has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i3-1315UE lists a base clock of 1200.00 MHz, which converts to 1.20 GHz, but a much higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The massive difference between base and boost on the i3 suggests a design that relies heavily on turbo behavior to deliver performance, while the i7 has a more modest, conventional clock curve. The i3's higher boost clock, combined with its newer architecture and extra cores, explains its consistent benchmark wins.

Memory support and platform features also separate the two. The i7-4870HQ supports only DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i3-1315UE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also on a dual-channel bus, though the database does not record its memory bandwidth. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the i7 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3 provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The newer i3's PCIe generation is twice as fast per lane, though it has fewer lanes. Integrated graphics are also different, with the i7 featuring Intel HD 5200 and the i3 featuring UHD Graphics 64EU. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The sockets are incompatible: the i7-4870HQ uses Intel BGA 1364, while the i3-1315UE uses Intel BGA 1744. The production status also differs, with the i7 marked as end-of-life and the i3 listed as active. Release dates show a nine-year gap, with the i7 launched in June 2014 and the i3 in January 2023.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the measured data, the Intel Core i3-1315UE wins every single benchmark category where a direct comparison exists. This includes all three generations of Cinebench tests, both multicore and single-core variants. For users prioritizing raw rendering performance in Cinebench workloads, the choice is unambiguous: the i3-1315UE is the superior processor.

The i7-4870HQ's case is more nuanced. Its average benchmark score of 1769 is actually higher than the i3-1315UE's 1739. This is due to the inclusion of Geekbench results in the i7's profile, where it scores 3701 multicore and 1143 single-core. The i3-1315UE has no Geekbench scores listed in the database. If the comparison extends beyond Cinebench to include Geekbench as a metric, the i7-4870HQ demonstrates competitive or potentially superior performance in that specific suite. However, the head-to-head matrix provided by the database does not include Geekbench, so this remains a point of inference rather than a direct result.

The i7-4870HQ also holds advantages in platform characteristics that may matter to specific users. It offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus the i3's 8 Gen 4 lanes. For applications requiring many simultaneous PCIe devices, the i7's lane count could be beneficial, though the i3's lanes are individually faster. The i7's 47 W TDP, while higher than the i3's 15 W, indicates a design aimed at sustained performance rather than power efficiency. The i3's lower TDP suggests a focus on battery life and thermal management in thin-and-light devices.

For the i3-1315UE, its wins extend across every Cinebench test, making it the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering tasks like video encoding or 3D scene rendering. Its 6 cores and 10 MB of L3 cache, combined with a 4.50 GHz boost clock, provide a robust foundation for these workloads. The 10 nm process node also implies better power efficiency per unit of work, though the database does not provide direct efficiency metrics.

The Verdict

The data directs a decisive verdict: the Intel Core i3-1315UE is the superior processor for Cinebench-based workloads. It wins all six head-to-head tests with deltas ranging from -10.6% to -11%, a consistent and significant margin. Its 6 cores, larger L3 cache, and higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz give it a clear performance edge over the i7-4870HQ's 4 cores, 6 MB L3, and 3.70 GHz boost.

The i3-1315UE is also the only one of the two still in active production. The i7-4870HQ is marked as end-of-life, meaning it is no longer manufactured. For any new system, the i3-1315UE is the practical choice. Its 15 W TDP also makes it suitable for power-constrained mobile designs, whereas the i7's 47 W TDP requires more substantial cooling and battery capacity.

The i7-4870HQ retains a niche appeal only if the benchmark scope expands to include Geekbench, where its recorded scores are strong. Its average benchmark score of 1769 exceeds the i3's 1739, indicating that in a broader test suite, the i7 could hold its own or even surpass the i3. However, in the direct comparisons available, the i3-1315UE is the unambiguous winner.

Users choosing a processor for maximum Cinebench performance should select the i3-1315UE. Users who value the i7's higher PCIe lane count (16 Gen 3 lanes) or its specific Geekbench results might consider the older chip, but the data shows the i3 is the better performer in the tests that matter most for rendering and compute.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315UE wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests against the Intel Core i7-4870HQ. The i7-4870HQ records zero wins in these direct comparisons.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i3-1315UE scores 356 against the i7-4870HQ's 317, a difference of -11%.

Q: How do the core counts differ between the two chips?

A: The i7-4870HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-1315UE has 6 cores and 8 threads. Both support 8 threads, but the i3 has two additional physical cores.

Q: Does the i7-4870HQ have any benchmark advantage over the i3-1315UE?

A: The i7-4870HQ has a higher average benchmark score of 1769 compared to the i3-1315UE's 1739. This is influenced by the i7's Geekbench scores, which are not included in the head-to-head comparisons.

Q: What are the production statuses of the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-4870HQ is end-of-life, while the Intel Core i3-1315UE is listed as active production.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The i3-1315UE has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, which is higher than the i7-4870HQ's boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4870HQ | Intel Core i3-1315UE |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1200.00 MHz (1.20 GHz) |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 47 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Crystalwell | Raptor Lake-U |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 10 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 264 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 10 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5200 | UHD Graphics 64EU |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2014-06-30 | 2023-01-03 |

| Part Number | SR1ZX | Not listed |