Core i5-12500vsRyzen Threadripper 9970X
The Core i5-12500 is a sensible, everyday CPU for mainstream builders and gamers, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is a monster workstation chip built for creators and data-crunchers who need massive parallel power.
Core i5-12500
Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 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 for heavy workloads with many more cores and faster performance, but the Core i5-12500 is the clear choice for everyday tasks and lower power use.
For budget-focused buyers, the Core i5-12500 offers a much lower power draw and solid everyday performance at a lower cost than the Threadripper 9970X.
The Core i5-12500 is the right choice for a home office PC where quiet operation and low electricity bills matter more than extreme multitasking.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-12500 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 i5-12500 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X than the Core i5-12500?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is roughly 433% 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 9970X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. 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.