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Intel Core 5 120U vs Intel Core 5 315: Comparison
Core 5 120U vs Core 5 315: the l3 cache difference
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: Core 5 120U 12 MB against Core 5 315 6 MB, which puts Core 5 120U 50% ahead. There is a split on igpu as well, Intel Iris Xe Graphics on the Core 5 120U versus Intel Graphics on the Core 5 315.
Which should you buy, Core 5 120U or Core 5 315?
Buy the Core 5 120U for affordable everyday and business thin-and-light laptops and office work, browsing, video calls and streaming, though it is the wrong buy for gaming beyond older or light titles at low settings and AI features that need an NPU, since it has none. It also earns its place with buyers who want a quick, simple laptop without paying for AI features. Avoid it for heavy video rendering or code compiling, where H-series chips finish sooner. 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 not built 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 5 120U (7.7/10): the Intel Core 5 120U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, tdp, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment are identical here. They match on 1 further specification as well.
Do the Core 5 120U and Core 5 315 differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 10 on the Core 5 120U versus 6 on the Core 5 315.
Is the Base Power the same on the Core 5 120U and Core 5 315?
It is. Both are listed at 15 W, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Laptop
- Intel Core 5 315
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Raptor Lake
- Intel Core 5 315
- Wildcat Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 2024
- Intel Core 5 315
- 2026
TDP
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 15 W
- Intel Core 5 315
- 15 W
iGPU
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core 5 315
- Intel Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Laptop
- Intel Core 5 315
- Laptop
Socket
- Intel Core 5 120U
- BGA 1744
- Intel Core 5 315
- FCBGA1516
Process Node
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 7 nm
- Intel Core 5 315
- 18 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 10Best
- Intel Core 5 315
- 6
Performance Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 2
- Intel Core 5 315
- 2
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 8Best
- Intel Core 5 315
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 12Best
- Intel Core 5 315
- 6
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core 5 120U
- Yes
- Intel Core 5 315
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 1.4 GHz
- Intel Core 5 315
- 1.5 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core 5 315
- 4.4 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 12 MBBest
- Intel Core 5 315
- 6 MB-50%
Base Power
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 15 W
- Intel Core 5 315
- 15 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 55 W
- Intel Core 5 315
- 35 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core 5 120U
- 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 5 120U
- Yes
- Intel Core 5 315
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose Intel Core 5 120U if you want the higher L3 cache (12 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 5 120U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core 5 120U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.