CPU Showdown

Core i5-12400vsRyzen Threadripper 7980X

The Core i5-12400 is a no-fuss, everyday processor for standard gaming and office work, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is a workstation monster built for heavy multi-threaded tasks like video rendering or simulation.

Intel Core i5-12400
6C / 12T · 65W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
64C / 128T · 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 7980X

Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023

82score
3.7/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz
L3 Cache
256 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 7980XWinner
82
Ryzen Threadripper 7980X leads by 645.5% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#2Ryzen Threadripper 9980X86
#3Ryzen Threadripper 7980X82
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#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 7980X
Cores
Total Cores664
Threads12128
Base Clock2.5 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost Clock4.4 GHz5.1 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache7.5 MB64 MB
L3 Cache18 MB256 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 7980X wins overall for heavy multi-threaded workloads, but the Core i5-12400 is the practical choice for everyday tasks.

Best value

The Core i5-12400 is the smarter pick for budget buyers, offering ample speed for typical use without the Threadripper's extreme cost and power draw.

When the other wins

The Core i5-12400 is the right choice if you build a simple office or gaming PC and don't need the Threadripper's massive multi-core capacity.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i5-12400 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 11 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-12400 in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X than the Core i5-12400?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is roughly 646% 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 7980X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X. 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.