Core i3-1315U vs Core i7-1250U

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 i3-1315U vs Core i7-1250U 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 i3-1315U vs Core i7-1250U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1315U

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1250U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,248 vs 11,305).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).
❌57.9% higher power demand at 15W vs 9.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-1250U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 10W instead of 15W, a 6W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU), while Core i3-1315U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Core i3-1315U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1250U better than Core i3-1315U?

Yes. Core i7-1250U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-1250U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.1% 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 i7-1250U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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 i7-1250U is the better buy right now. Core i7-1250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at $426 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-1315U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-1315U vs Core i7-1250U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1315U

The Core i3-1315U 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 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 11,248 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i7-1250U

The Core i7-1250U 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 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 11,305 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1315U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-1250U offers 10 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-1250U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-1315U versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1250U — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-1250U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-1315U uses the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-1250U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1315U scores 11,248 against the Core i7-1250U's 11,305 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-1250U. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1315U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1250U.

Feature	Core i3-1315U	Core i7-1250U
Cores / Threads	6 / 8	10 / 12+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz+9%	1.1 GHz
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	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U (2023)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	11,248	11,305
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,788
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,500

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1315U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-1250U uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1315U	Core i7-1250U
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-1315U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1250U). The Core i7-1250U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)), while the Core i3-1315U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1250U targets Thin and Light Laptop.

Feature	Core i3-1315U	Core i7-1250U
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Thin and Light Laptop