Core i3-12100vsRyzen Threadripper 7980X
The Core i3-12100 is a budget-minded quad-core chip for everyday computing and light gaming, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is a workstation-class 64-core monster built for heavy rendering and multi-threaded tasks.
Core i3-12100
Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2022
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Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023
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Overall Performance Score
A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.
Side-by-Side Specs
Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.
Which should you buy?
The Ryzen Threadripper 7980X wins overall for heavy multitasking and professional workloads, while the Core i3-12100 is a fine choice for budget gaming and basic tasks.
For budget-minded buyers, the Core i3-12100 offers better value thanks to its lower cost and enough speed for everyday computing.
The Core i3-12100 is the right choice for a simple office PC or web browsing machine where the Threadripper's extreme power is wasteful.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i3-12100 better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (82 vs 7 out of 100), so it leads the Core i3-12100 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X than the Core i3-12100?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is roughly 1071% faster than the Core i3-12100 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i3-12100 or the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X. If the Core i3-12100 is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.