Core i5-12500vsRyzen Threadripper 9960X
The Intel Core i5-12500 is a sensible, everyday processor for mainstream desktops, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a workstation-class beast built for heavy multi-threaded workloads.
Core i5-12500
Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2022
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Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
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 9960X wins overall for heavy workloads, while the Core i5-12500 suits lighter tasks.
For budget buyers, the Core i5-12500 offers better value with lower power needs and sufficient speed for everyday computing.
The Core i5-12500 is the right choice for a simple office PC where the Threadripper's extra cores would be wasted.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-12500 better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (56 vs 12 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-12500 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X than the Core i5-12500?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is roughly 367% faster than the Core i5-12500 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i5-12500 or the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X. If the Core i5-12500 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.