Core i5-12600vsRyzen Threadripper 9960X
The Core i5-12600 is a sensible, everyday workhorse for a standard desktop build, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a full-on workstation monster built for heavy multi-tasking and content creation.
Core i5-12600
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 multithreaded workloads, leaving the Core i5-12600 far behind for mainstream tasks.
The Core i5-12600 is the smarter pick for budget buyers, offering good everyday performance without the Threadripper's high cost and power draw.
The Core i5-12600 is the right choice for a basic office PC where the Threadripper's extra cores and cost would be wasted.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-12600 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 13 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-12600 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X than the Core i5-12600?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is roughly 331% faster than the Core i5-12600 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i5-12600 or the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X. If the Core i5-12600 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.