Intel Core Ultra 5 115U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 164U Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U and Intel Core Ultra 5 115U are both mobile processors from the Core Ultra Series 1, built on the Meteor Lake architecture and manufactured on a 7 nm process. The database records show that the Ultra 7 164U wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Ultra 5 115U wins 7. The Ultra 7 164U carries a launch MSRP of $448, while the Ultra 5 115U has no recorded launch MSRP. Both chips share the same release date of December 13, 2023, and are currently marked as Active in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U comes in the PassMark integer math test, where it scores 50387 against the Ultra 5 115U's 41043, a delta of 22.8 percent. This is the largest margin in either direction across the entire benchmark suite. The single-core Cinebench R15 test also shows a substantial gap, with the Ultra 7 164U scoring 225 versus 154 for the Ultra 5 115U, a 46.1 percent advantage. That is the second-largest delta recorded in the head-to-head data. The Ultra 7 164U also leads in floating point math, scoring 33581 against 30538, a 10 percent edge, and in data encryption, where it posts 8838 versus 8606, a 2.7 percent gain.

The Ultra 5 115U, however, takes the largest win in the opposite direction. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 10855 against the Ultra 7 164U's 8766, a delta of 19.2 percent in favor of the Ultra 5. This is a notable reversal, as the Ultra 7 164U has more cores and threads. The Ultra 5 115U also wins in Cinebench R20 multicore, scoring 4559 versus 4488, a 1.6 percent margin, and in Cinebench R20 singlecore, where it scores 643 against 633, also a 1.6 percent edge. In PassMark extended instructions, the Ultra 5 115U leads with 8620 against 7918, an 8.1 percent advantage. The Ultra 5 115U also wins in data compression, scoring 141945 versus 137133, a 3.4 percent margin, and in single-threaded PassMark tests, where it scores 3057 against 2996, a 2 percent edge.

Several benchmarks are close. The PassMark random string sorting test shows a near tie, with the Ultra 7 164U scoring 15131 and the Ultra 5 115U scoring 15124, a delta of 0 percent. The PassMark multithread test is also tight, with the Ultra 7 164U at 13296 and the Ultra 5 115U at 13024, a 2.1 percent difference. The PassMark physics test shows the Ultra 7 164U ahead at 918 versus 898, a 2.2 percent margin. The find prime numbers test favors the Ultra 7 164U, 56 to 53, a 5.7 percent difference. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the Ultra 7 164U wins 1590 to 1532, a 3.8 percent margin.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U is the stronger choice for integer-heavy and floating-point workloads. Its 22.8 percent lead in integer math and 10 percent lead in floating point math indicate a clear advantage in computational tasks that rely on these operations. The 46.1 percent margin in Cinebench R15 singlecore suggests that the Ultra 7 164U has a significant edge in older single-threaded rendering workloads. It also wins in data encryption, prime number finding, physics simulations, and multithreaded PassMark tests, though by smaller margins. The Ultra 7 164U's 10 benchmark wins out of 17 comparisons reflect a broader overall strength across the recorded test suite.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, despite having fewer cores and threads, wins in the more recent Cinebench R23 multicore test by a wide 19.2 percent margin. This suggests that the Ultra 5 115U is better optimized for the specific workload represented by that benchmark. It also wins in Cinebench R20 multicore and singlecore, though by narrow margins. The Ultra 5 115U leads in extended instructions, data compression, and single-threaded PassMark tests, indicating strengths in instruction-heavy and compression-oriented tasks. Its 7 wins are concentrated in these areas, making it a viable option for users who prioritize those specific workloads.

The data shows a split: the Ultra 7 164U dominates in raw integer and floating point math, while the Ultra 5 115U excels in certain rendering and compression benchmarks. The Ultra 7 164U's higher core count and larger L3 cache likely contribute to its math performance, while the Ultra 5 115U's higher base clock and memory bandwidth may explain its wins in the Cinebench tests. The near tie in random string sorting and the small margins in multithread and physics tests indicate that the two processors are closely matched in several areas.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores and 10 threads. The Ultra 7 164U has a base clock of 1100 MHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, whereas the Ultra 5 115U has a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Ultra 5 115U has a higher base clock, but the Ultra 7 164U has a higher boost clock. The TDP also differs: the Ultra 7 164U is rated at 9 watts, while the Ultra 5 115U is rated at 15 watts.

Both processors use the Meteor Lake architecture and are built on a 7 nm process by Intel. The cache configuration is similar in structure, with both having 112 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs: the Ultra 7 164U has 12 MB shared, while the Ultra 5 115U has 10 MB shared. The Ultra 7 164U has a larger L3 cache, which may contribute to its performance in certain workloads.

The memory support is listed as DDR5 with a note that it depends on the motherboard for both processors. The memory bus is dual-channel for both. The Ultra 5 115U has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Ultra 7 164U has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. The PCIe configuration differs: the Ultra 7 164U has Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Ultra 5 115U has Gen 4 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the Ultra 7 164U has Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, while the Ultra 5 115U has Arc Xe-LPG 48EU.

The sockets are different: the Ultra 7 164U uses Intel BGA 2551, while the Ultra 5 115U uses Intel BGA 2049. Both processors have the same release date and are in the same series and generation. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SRN85 for the Ultra 7 164U and SRN6F for the Ultra 5 115U.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores and 10 threads.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U wins in Cinebench R23 multicore, scoring 10855 against the Ultra 7 164U's 8766, a 19.2 percent margin.

Q: How does the TDP compare between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U has a TDP of 9 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: What is the L3 cache size for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has 10 MB of shared L3 cache.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has a higher single-threaded PassMark score, recording 3057 against the Ultra 7 164U's 2996, a 2 percent difference.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U is the better choice for users who prioritize integer and floating point math performance. Its 22.8 percent lead in integer math and 10 percent lead in floating point math are the largest margins in those categories. The 46.1 percent advantage in Cinebench R15 singlecore also makes it a strong option for older single-threaded workloads. With 10 wins out of 17 benchmarks, the Ultra 7 164U has a broader overall performance profile.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, however, is the better option for users who focus on Cinebench R23 multicore performance, where it leads by 19.2 percent. It also wins in Cinebench R20 multicore and singlecore, extended instructions, data compression, and single-threaded PassMark tests. Its higher base clock of 1500 MHz and recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s may contribute to these results. The Ultra 5 115U is also the only one of the two with a recorded memory bandwidth figure.

The choice depends on the workload. For math-intensive tasks and a higher core count, the Ultra 7 164U is the stronger pick. For rendering workloads represented by Cinebench R23 and compression tasks, the Ultra 5 115U offers a clear advantage. The near tie in random string sorting and the small margins in several other tests suggest that the two processors are closely matched in many scenarios, but the distinct wins in specific benchmarks make each one suitable for different use cases.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 7 164U and Intel Core Ultra 5 115U differ in several key specifications. The Ultra 7 164U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores and 10 threads. The base clock is 1100 MHz for the Ultra 7 164U and 1500 MHz for the Ultra 5 115U. The boost clock is 4.80 GHz for the Ultra 7 164U and 4.20 GHz for the Ultra 5 115U. The TDP is 9 watts for the Ultra 7 164U and 15 watts for the Ultra 5 115U.

The socket differs: the Ultra 7 164U uses Intel BGA 2551, while the Ultra 5 115U uses Intel BGA 2049. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared for the Ultra 7 164U and 10 MB shared for the Ultra 5 115U. The memory bandwidth is recorded as 89.6 GB/s for the Ultra 5 115U, with no figure for the Ultra 7 164U. The PCIe configuration is Gen 4 with 8 lanes for the Ultra 7 164U and Gen 4 with 12 lanes for the Ultra 5 115U. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG 64EU for the Ultra 7 164U and Arc Xe-LPG 48EU for the Ultra 5 115U. The launch MSRP is $448 for the Ultra 7 164U, with no recorded launch MSRP for the Ultra 5 115U. The part numbers are SRN85 for the Ultra 7 164U and SRN6F for the Ultra 5 115U.