Core i5-10500vsRyzen Threadripper 9980X
The Core i5-10500 is a sensible, low-power chip for everyday work and gaming on a budget, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a workstation monster for pros who need to chew through massive rendering or virtualization loads.
Core i5-10500
Comet Lake · 14 nm · 2020
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.
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 9980X crushes the Core i5-10500 for heavy workloads, but the i5 is a better fit for everyday use.
The Core i5-10500 offers good everyday performance at a lower cost, while the Threadripper is overkill for most people.
If you build a simple office PC, the Core i5-10500 is the right choice over the massive Threadripper.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-10500 better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (86 vs 8 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-10500 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i5-10500?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 975% faster than the Core i5-10500 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i5-10500 or the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. If the Core i5-10500 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.