CPU Showdown

Core i5-12400vsRyzen Threadripper 7970X

Intel's Core i5-12400 is a solid mid-range chip for everyday computing and gaming, while AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a high-core-count workstation monster built for heavy rendering and multi-tasking.

Intel Core i5-12400
6C / 12T · 65W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C / 64T · 350W
Intel

Core i5-12400

Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2022

11score
3.7/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
TDP
65W
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
L3 Cache
18 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023

60score
4/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
32 / 64
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.3 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Core i5-12400
11
Ryzen Threadripper 7970XWinner
60
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X leads by 445.5% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#236Ryzen 5 5500GT11
#237Core i5-1240011
#238Core i9-10900E11
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsCore i5-12400Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
Cores
Total Cores632
Threads1264
Base Clock2.5 GHz4.0 GHz
Boost Clock4.4 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache7.5 MB32 MB
L3 Cache18 MB128 MB
Platform
PCIePCIe 5.0 and 4.0PCIe 5.0
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 730
Power
Base TDP65W350W
General
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X wins for heavy workstation tasks, but the Core i5-12400 is the smarter choice for everyday computing and gaming.

Best value

The Core i5-12400 offers better value for budget buyers who need capable performance without paying for extreme multi-core power.

When the other wins

The Core i5-12400 is the right choice for a home office PC where low heat output and quiet operation matter more than raw multi-threaded speed.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i5-12400 better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (60 vs 11 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-12400 in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Core i5-12400?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 446% faster than the Core i5-12400 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i5-12400 or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Core i5-12400 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.