Core i3-12100vsRyzen Threadripper 9970X
The Core i3-12100 is a budget-friendly quad-core chip for everyday computing and light gaming, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is a workstation monster with 32 cores aimed at heavy rendering and multi-tasking.
Core i3-12100
Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2022
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Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025
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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 9970X wins overall for demanding tasks thanks to its far greater core count and performance, leaving the Core i3-12100 for basic use.
For budget buyers, the Core i3-12100 is the smarter pick—it costs less and handles everyday computing without waste.
The Core i3-12100 is the right choice for a simple office PC where the Threadripper's power and cost are overkill.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i3-12100 better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (64 vs 7 out of 100), so it leads the Core i3-12100 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X than the Core i3-12100?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is roughly 814% 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 9970X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. 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.