Core i5-12490FvsRyzen Threadripper 9970X
The Core i5-12490F is a budget-friendly gaming CPU for everyday builders, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is a workstation monster for creators and professionals who need extreme multi-core power.
Core i5-12490F
Alder Lake-S · 10 nm · 2022
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Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
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 Ryzen Threadripper 9970X wins outright for raw performance and multi-core capability, far outpacing the Core i5-12490F.
For budget buyers, the Core i5-12490F is the smarter pick, offering solid everyday performance at a fraction of the cost.
The Core i5-12490F is the right choice for a basic gaming or office PC where massive multi-threaded power isn't needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-12490F better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (64 vs 12 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-12490F in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X than the Core i5-12490F?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is roughly 433% 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 9970X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. 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.