Core i5-12400vsRyzen Threadripper 9980X
The Core i5-12400 is a solid, affordable chip for everyday computing and light gaming, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a workstation monster for creators tackling massive rendering or simulation jobs.
Core i5-12400
Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2022
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Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
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 Threadripper 9980X wins overall for its vastly higher multi-core speed, but the i5-12400 is the smarter choice for most desktop users.
The i5-12400 is the smarter pick for budget buyers, offering good everyday speed for much less money and power.
The i5-12400 is the right choice for someone building a simple home or office PC who doesn't need extreme multi-core work.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-12400 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 11 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-12400 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i5-12400?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 682% 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 9980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. 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.