Core i3-1215U vs Core i5-1345UE

Intel

Core i3-1215U

6 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core i5-1345UE

10 Cores12 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2023

Core i3-1215U vs Core i5-1345UE Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i3-1215U vs Core i5-1345UE 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 i3-1215U vs Core i5-1345UE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1215U

2022

Why buy it

  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU), while Core i5-1345UE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1345UE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (10,281 vs 10,343).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i5-1345UE

2023

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $312 MSRP, while Core i3-1215U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1215U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1345UE better than Core i3-1215U?
Yes. Core i5-1345UE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-1345UE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1345UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-1345UE is the better buy right now. Core i5-1345UE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $312 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (33.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-1345UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1215U vs Core i5-1345UE Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-1215U

The Core i3-1215U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,281 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i5-1345UE

The Core i5-1345UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 10,343 points. Launch price was $149.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i3-1215U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-1345UE offers 10 cores / 12 threads β€” the Core i5-1345UE has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1215U versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-1345UE β€” a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-1345UE (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i3-1215U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-1345UE uses Raptor Lake-U (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1215U scores 10,281 against the Core i5-1345UE's 10,343 β€” a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-1345UE. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1215U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1345UE.

FeatureCore i3-1215UCore i5-1345UE
Cores / Threads
6 / 8
10 / 12+67%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock
1.2 GHz
1.4 GHz+17%
L3 Cache
10 MB (total)
12 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-30%
10 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-U (2022)
Raptor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark
10,281
10,343
Geekbench 6 Single
2,079
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1744 socket with PCIe 5.0.

FeatureCore i3-1215UCore i5-1345UE
Socket
FCBGA1744
FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5-5200
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
20
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1215U) / not specified (Core i5-1345UE). The Core i3-1215U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)), while the Core i5-1345UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1215U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1215U rivals Ryzen 3 5425U.

FeatureCore i3-1215UCore i5-1345UE
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
β€”
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop
β€”