Intel Core i3-1315U

The Intel Core i3-1315U is a 6-core, 8-thread mobile processor from the Raptor Lake-U family, built on Intel's 10nm process. It carries a launch MSRP of $309 and sits in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. With a TDP of just 15W, it is clearly aimed at power-conscious laptops, yet its boost clock reaches 4.5 GHz. The question is how well this low-power chip holds up against desktop and server-class rivals that appear in its nearest-neighbor list.

How It Compares

The nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 7702P, is a server processor with a much larger core count, yet the i3-1315U trails it by only 0.5% in average benchmark score. This is remarkable: a 15W mobile chip nearly matches a high-core-count EPYC part in aggregate performance, suggesting that per-thread efficiency and boost behavior compensate for the massive core disparity.

Against the Intel Core i5-10400, a desktop chip from a previous generation, the i3-1315U is 0.6% behind in average score. The i5-10400 has a higher TDP and likely more sustained multi-core throughput, but the gap is minuscule, indicating that the i3-1315U can hold its own in mixed workloads despite its low power envelope.

The AMD EPYC 74F3 is the first rival that the i3-1315U actually leads, by 1%. This server part is designed for heavy parallel tasks, so the mobile chip's advantage here likely comes from its superior single-thread performance and the fact that many benchmark workloads are not perfectly scaling.

Finally, the Intel Core i7-9750H, a once-common high-end mobile processor, is beaten by 1.2% by the i3-1315U. This is particularly telling: the i7-9750H has more cores and threads (6 cores/12 threads vs 6/8), but the i3-1315U's newer architecture and higher boost clock allow it to edge ahead in the average benchmark score.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Cinebench R23 scores reveal a clear split: a single-core score of 1375 and a multi-core score of 9741. The single-core figure is strong for a 15W part, indicating that the 4.5 GHz boost clock is effectively utilized in lightly-threaded tasks. The multi-core score, while lower in absolute terms, still demonstrates that the chip can scale across its 8 threads, though the scaling is not linear — the multi-core score is less than eight times the single-core score, which is typical for a hybrid architecture with limited sustained all-core frequency.

Passmark data reinforces this pattern. The single-thread score of 3380 is excellent, while the multi-thread score of 11482 is respectable for the power class. The sub-scores further illuminate the behavior: floating-point math at 27012 and integer math at 37644 show strong per-core arithmetic capabilities, while the find-prime-numbers score of 41 is notably low, suggesting that the chip is not optimized for certain integer-heavy loops. The data compression score of 126436 and encryption score of 7583 indicate that the i3-1315U handles real-world productivity tasks well, but the extended instructions score of 7413 suggests modest SIMD throughput.

Power and Thermals

With a TDP of 15W, the i3-1315U falls into the ultra-low-power category, designed for thin-and-light laptops and fanless or near-silent operation. The 10nm process node and Raptor Lake architecture contribute to this efficiency, allowing a 4.5 GHz boost clock without exceeding the power budget. The thermal solution required is modest — a capable air cooler with a small heatpipe and fan would be sufficient to keep the chip within its limits, and the low TDP means that even passive cooling might be feasible in some chassis, though sustained all-core workloads would likely cause throttling.

The integrated UHD Graphics 64EU adds to the package but stays within the 15W envelope. The chip's mobile segment designation further underscores that it is intended for systems where power and thermals are tightly constrained, not for desktop overclocking or heavy sustained compute.

Who Should Consider It

For gaming, the i3-1315U's strong single-thread performance (Passmark single-thread score of 3380) will help with older or less demanding titles, and the integrated UHD Graphics 64EU can handle esports and casual games at low settings. However, modern 3D games will likely struggle without a discrete GPU, and the 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes limit the bandwidth available for a dedicated graphics card, though a low-end discrete GPU could still be paired.

For content creation, the multi-core Cinebench R23 score of 9741 is respectable for a 15W part, and the chip's 1.2% lead over the Intel Core i7-9750H suggests it can handle similar workloads — photo editing, light video rendering, and code compilation. The Passmark integer math score of 37644 indicates solid performance for tasks that rely on integer operations, such as spreadsheets and database queries.

For office and general productivity, the i3-1315U is an excellent fit. The high single-thread score ensures snappy responsiveness in web browsing, document editing, and multitasking. The data compression score of 126436 and encryption score of 7583 show that it can handle file archiving and secure connections without breaking a sweat. The low TDP also means longer battery life, making it ideal for ultraportable laptops.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 15059 places the i3-1315U in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, a strong showing for a low-power mobile chip. Against its nearest rivals, the deltas are tight: it trails the AMD EPYC 7702P by 0.5% and the Intel Core i5-10400 by 0.6%, while leading the AMD EPYC 74F3 by 1% and the Intel Core i7-9750H by 1.2%. These margins are small, but they reveal a consistent pattern — the i3-1315U is competitive with much larger, higher-power processors in aggregate performance.

Diving into specific benchmarks, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 9741 is impressive for a 15W chip, and the single-core score of 1375 is strong. The Passmark multi-thread score of 11482 and single-thread score of 3380 corroborate this balance. The sub-scores tell a nuanced story: floating-point math at 27012 and integer math at 37644 are both healthy, but the extended instructions score of 7413 is lower, suggesting that AVX-512 or similar extensions are not heavily optimized. The find-prime-numbers score of 41 is notably weak, which could indicate a limitation in certain algorithmic workloads.

Platform and Compatibility

The i3-1315U uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, which is soldered to the motherboard — there is no upgrade path without replacing the entire system. It supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering flexibility in laptop design, though the memory bus is dual-channel and the maximum bandwidth is not specified in the available data. The chip provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, which is sufficient for an NVMe SSD and a low-end discrete GPU, but not for multiple high-bandwidth devices.

The integrated UHD Graphics 64EU is included, so no discrete GPU is required for basic display output. The chip does not support ECC memory, which is expected for a consumer mobile processor. The production status is active, and the release date is January 3, 2023. The part number is SRMLV, and the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Core i3-1315U have?

A: It has 6 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 15W.

Q: What memory types does it support?

A: It supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the boost clock speed?

A: The boost clock is 4.5 GHz.

Q: What is the socket type?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, which is soldered and not upgradeable.