CPU Showdown

Core i5-12490FvsRyzen Threadripper 7970X

The Core i5-12490F is a budget-friendly gaming processor for mainstream builders, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a workstation monster for creators who need maximum multi-core muscle.

Intel Core i5-12490F
6C / 12T · 65W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C / 64T · 350W
Intel

Core i5-12490F

Alder Lake-S · 10 nm · 2022

12score
4.5/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
TDP
65W
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
L3 Cache
20 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 i5-12490F
12
Ryzen Threadripper 7970XWinner
60
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X leads by 400.0% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#214Ryzen 5 PRO 5650G12
#215Core i5-12490F12
#216Ryzen 5 5500X3D12
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

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

SpecsCore i5-12490FRyzen Threadripper 7970X
Cores
Total Cores632
Threads1264
Base Clock3.0 GHz4.0 GHz
Boost Clock4.6 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache7.5 MB32 MB
L3 Cache20 MB128 MB
Platform
Socket1700sTR5
MemoryDDR4DDR5
PCIePCIe 5.0PCIe 5.0
Power
Base TDP65W350W
General
Process10 nm5 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X wins overall for multi-threaded workloads, but the Core i5-12490F is the practical choice for most users.

Best value

The Core i5-12490F offers better value for budget-conscious buyers needing a capable everyday processor without overspending.

When the other wins

The Core i5-12490F is the right choice for a compact gaming PC where high core counts are unnecessary and power efficiency matters.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i5-12490F 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 12 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-12490F in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Core i5-12490F?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 400% faster than the Core i5-12490F overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i5-12490F or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Core i5-12490F 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.