Core Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon Platinum 8481C

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 Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon Platinum 8481C 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 Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon Platinum 8481C: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core Ultra 5 115U

2023

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Platinum 8481C across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,518 vs 11,681).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Platinum 8481C, which brings 56 cores / 112 threads.

Xeon Platinum 8481C

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 56 cores / 112 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Platinum 8481C better than Core Ultra 5 115U?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Platinum 8481C makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 115U is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Platinum 8481C is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 105 MB versus 10 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Platinum 8481C is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 56 cores and 112 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 950% larger total L3 cache (105 MB vs 10 MB).

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

Xeon Platinum 8481C still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Platinum 8481C comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon Platinum 8481C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 3D V-Cache and a much larger 105 MB L3 cache instead of 10 MB and more multi-core headroom with 56 cores / 112 threads instead of 8/10. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Core Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon Platinum 8481C Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Platinum 8481C

The Xeon Platinum 8481C is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 105 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 11,681 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 115U packs 8 cores / 10 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8481C offers 56 cores / 112 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8481C has 48 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8481C — a 10% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 115U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 115U uses the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8481C uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 115U scores 11,518 against the Xeon Platinum 8481C's 11,681 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8481C. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 115U vs 105 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8481C.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 115U	Xeon Platinum 8481C
Cores / Threads	8 / 10	56 / 112+600%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+11%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	105 MB+950%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)
Process	7 nm-30%	10 nm
Architecture	Meteor Lake (2023)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	11,518	11,681+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 115U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8481C uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.