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Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core 5 315: Comparison
Core 3 100U vs Core 5 315 l3 cache compared
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: Core 3 100U 10 MB against Core 5 315 6 MB, which puts Core 3 100U 40% ahead. Smt enabled is not the same on both, Yes on the Core 3 100U versus No on the Core 5 315. They differ on max turbo power too, 55 W on the Core 3 100U versus 35 W on the Core 5 315. They differ on memory type too, DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR5x, LPDDR4x on the Core 3 100U versus LPDDR5x up to 7467 MT/s, DDR5 up to 6400... on the Core 5 315.
Who each one is for
Buy the Core 3 100U for ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is not the pick for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. The Core 5 315 is the one to take for low-cost student and home laptops and web browsing, email, documents and streaming, though it is the wrong buy for video editing, 3D work or large code builds and gaming beyond very light or older titles. The same goes for buyers who want a newer chip with an NPU on a tight budget. Our rating of the Core 3 100U (7.7/10): the Intel Core 3 100U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, p-core boost clock and tdp read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 4 further specifications as well.
Do the Core 3 100U and Core 5 315 differ on total threads?
Yes. Total Threads reads 8 on the Core 3 100U versus 6 on the Core 5 315.
Is the Integrated Graphics the same on the Core 3 100U and Core 5 315?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core 3 100U
- Laptop
- Intel Core 5 315
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core 3 100U
- Raptor Lake
- Intel Core 5 315
- Wildcat Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 2024
- Intel Core 5 315
- 2026
TDP
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 15 W
- Intel Core 5 315
- 15 W
iGPU
- Intel Core 3 100U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core 5 315
- Intel Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core 3 100U
- Laptop
- Intel Core 5 315
- Laptop
Socket
- Intel Core 3 100U
- BGA 1744
- Intel Core 5 315
- FCBGA1516
Process Node
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 7 nm
- Intel Core 5 315
- 18 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 6
- Intel Core 5 315
- 6
Performance Cores
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 2
- Intel Core 5 315
- 2
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 4
- Intel Core 5 315
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 8Best
- Intel Core 5 315
- 6
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core 3 100U
- Yes
- Intel Core 5 315
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 1.2 GHz
- Intel Core 5 315
- 1.5 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 4.4 GHz
- Intel Core 5 315
- 4.4 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 10 MBBest
- Intel Core 5 315
- 6 MB-40%
Base Power
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 15 W
- Intel Core 5 315
- 15 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core 3 100U
- 55 W
- Intel Core 5 315
- 35 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core 3 100U
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR5x, LPDDR4x
- Intel Core 5 315
- LPDDR5x up to 7467 MT/s, DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core 3 100U
- Yes
- Intel Core 5 315
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose Intel Core 3 100U if you want the higher L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
Choose Intel Core 5 315 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core 3 100U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core 3 100U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.