Core i3-11100B vs Core Ultra 5 115U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-11100B vs Core Ultra 5 115U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-11100B vs Core Ultra 5 115U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-11100B

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU), while Core Ultra 5 115U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,357 vs 11,518).

Core Ultra 5 115U

2023

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-11100B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-11100B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 115U better than Core i3-11100B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-11100B is ahead with a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 115U pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Core i3-11100B also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 115U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 10 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 5 115U still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 5 115U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 115U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of the older platform, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 10 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-11100B vs Core Ultra 5 115U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-11100B

The Core i3-11100B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: Up to 3200 MT/s. Passmark benchmark score: 11,357 points. Launch price was $149.

Core Ultra 5 115U

The Core Ultra 5 115U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 10 MB. Memory support: DDR5 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 11,518 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-11100B packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 115U offers 8 cores / 10 threads — the Core Ultra 5 115U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-11100B versus 4.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-11100B (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 115U is built on the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-11100B scores 11,357 against the Core Ultra 5 115U's 11,518 — a 1.4% lead for the Core Ultra 5 115U. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i3-11100B vs 10 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 115U.

Feature	Core i3-11100B	Core Ultra 5 115U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 10+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+5%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+140%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB+20%	10 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	2 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin	7 nm-30%
Architecture	—	Meteor Lake (2023)
PassMark	11,357	11,518+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,402	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-11100B) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 115U). The Core i3-11100B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)), while the Core Ultra 5 115U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-11100B targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-11100B rivals Ryzen 3 5300G.