CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-2310 and Intel Processor N95 occupy nearly the same performance tier in the aggregate data, yet their benchmark profiles could not be more different. The i5-2310 posts an average benchmark score of 1073, placing it in the 30th percentile of all CPUs, while the N95 scores 1070, landing in the 29th percentile. With such close average scores, the deciding factor for any buyer is not overall capability but the specific workload. The data suggests a clear split: the older desktop chip wins in one multi-core test, while the newer mobile chip dominates single-core and another multi-core test. This is a tale of two architectures solving the same problem in different ways.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Processor N95 is the superior choice for single-threaded responsiveness and modern efficiency-focused tasks. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 914 is more than double the i5-2310’s 440, a 51.9% lead that is decisive for everyday applications, web browsing, and lightly-threaded software. The N95 also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with a score of 445 versus 314, a 29.4% advantage. This suggests that in older or differently-optimized multi-threaded workloads, the N95’s architecture extracts more performance.

Conversely, the Intel Core i5-2310 is the pick for newer, heavily multi-threaded workloads. It wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test decisively, scoring 3118 against the N95’s 2769, a 12.6% margin. This indicates that under sustained, modern multi-core loads, the i5-2310’s larger power envelope and desktop design allow it to pull ahead. The data implies a desktop user running current rendering or encoding software should prefer the i5-2310, while a user prioritizing snappy single-core performance or operating in a mobile context should choose the N95. Given that the N95 wins two of the three head-to-head benchmarks, the overall edge in versatility goes to it, but the i5-2310’s win is in the most demanding test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent a generational chasm in Intel’s design philosophy. The Core i5-2310 is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process node, while the Processor N95 uses the newer Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm node. This process shrink is a primary driver of the N95’s efficiency and single-core advantage. The i5-2310 is a desktop part with a 95 W TDP, whereas the N95 is a mobile part with a dramatically lower 15 W TDP, explaining the performance-per-watt gulf between them.

The cache layouts also differ significantly. The i5-2310 offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, while the N95 provides more L1 at 96 KB per core but switches to a shared 2 MB L2 cache. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache, but the N95’s shared L2 design is tailored for its efficiency-focused Gracemont cores. Memory support diverges as well: the i5-2310 uses dual-channel DDR3, while the N95 supports single-channel DDR4 and DDR5 with a specified memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-2310 offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, whereas the N95 provides only 9 lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with the i5-2310 featuring Intel HD 2000 and the N95 featuring UHD Graphics 710. The N95 is also an active production part released in January 2023, while the i5-2310 is end-of-life, having been released in May 2011.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Processor N95 is far ahead in single-core performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 914 beats the i5-2310’s 440 by a margin of 51.9%. This is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head data.

Q: Is the older Intel Core i5-2310 faster in any multi-core test?

A: Yes. The i5-2310 wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 3118, which is 12.6% higher than the N95’s 2769. This suggests that in the latest multi-threaded benchmark, the older chip’s higher power draw translates into a win.

Q: Which processor has a lower power consumption?

A: The Intel Processor N95 has a TDP of 15 W, compared to the Intel Core i5-2310’s 95 W. This is a substantial difference, indicating the N95 is designed for much more power-efficient operation.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-2310 and the Intel Processor N95 feature 4 cores and 4 threads. The performance differences are therefore not due to core counts but to architectural and efficiency differences.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The i5-2310 has an average score of 1073, while the N95 has an average score of 1070. The N95’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-5287U, scores 1072, a delta of -0.2%, showing how tightly clustered these parts are.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory types?

A: The Intel Processor N95 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core i5-2310 only supports DDR3. However, the N95 uses a single-channel memory bus, whereas the i5-2310 uses dual-channel.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal a stark contrast in design goals. The Intel Core i5-2310 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Intel Processor N95’s base clock is listed at 100.00 GHz (a likely data artifact) with a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i5-2310’s TDP is 95 W, versus the N95’s 15 W. The socket types are incompatible: the i5-2310 uses Intel Socket 1155, while the N95 uses Intel BGA 1264, making the N95 a soldered mobile part. The process nodes differ, with the i5-2310 at 32 nm and the N95 at 10 nm. The i5-2310 has a die size of 216 mm² and 1,160 million transistors, while the N95 lists no die size or transistor count. The memory support differs entirely, with the i5-2310 using DDR3 and the N95 using DDR4/DDR5. The PCIe lane counts also differ: 16 lanes for the i5-2310 versus 9 lanes for the N95. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 2000 for the i5-2310 and UHD Graphics 710 for the N95. The production status also differs, with the i5-2310 being end-of-life and the N95 active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The three head-to-head benchmarks present a clear and interesting split. In the first test, Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Processor N95 wins decisively with a score of 445 against the i5-2310’s 314. This represents a 29.4% lead for the N95, demonstrating that in this particular workload, the newer architecture is significantly more efficient at processing multi-threaded tasks. The N95’s advantage here is substantial and suggests that for legacy or differently-coded multi-threaded applications, it is the stronger performer.

The second test, Cinebench R23 multi-core, flips the result. The Intel Core i5-2310 scores 3118, while the N95 scores 2769, giving the i5-2310 a 12.6% win. This is a fascinating inversion. Despite losing the R15 test by a wide margin, the i5-2310 manages to win the R23 test, which is a more modern and demanding benchmark. This suggests that the i5-2310’s higher power draw and desktop-oriented design allow it to sustain performance better under the heavier load of the R23 test, while the N95’s efficiency-focused design hits a thermal or power ceiling.

The third test, Cinebench R23 single-core, is the most lopsided. The Intel Processor N95 scores 914, which is more than double the i5-2310’s 440. This is a 51.9% difference, the largest delta in the entire comparison. This result underscores the architectural advantage of the Gracemont cores in the N95, which are clearly designed for high single-thread performance. The i5-2310’s Sandy Bridge architecture, despite its higher clock speeds, cannot compete with the newer core design on a per-thread basis.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N95 wins decisively in single-core performance and in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. This makes it the clear choice for tasks that rely on fast single-thread execution, such as general desktop responsiveness, web browsing, and office applications. Its 15 W TDP also makes it the only viable option for mobile or fanless designs, where power efficiency is paramount. The N95’s support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory, despite being single-channel, provides a modern memory interface that the older DDR3-based i5-2310 cannot match.

The Intel Core i5-2310 wins in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, indicating that it is better suited for sustained, modern multi-threaded workloads. This includes tasks like video rendering, software compilation, and other professional applications that can utilize all four cores heavily. The i5-2310’s dual-channel memory bus and higher TDP of 95 W likely contribute to its ability to maintain performance in this demanding environment. However, its end-of-life status and lack of modern features make it a niche pick for users with specific multi-core needs who are willing to work with older hardware. The data shows a clear trade-off: the N95 for efficiency and single-core speed, the i5-2310 for raw multi-core stamina in newer benchmarks.