CPU Showdown

Core i5-7442EQvsRyzen Threadripper 9980X

The Intel Core i5-7442EQ is a low-power laptop CPU for basic business tasks and embedded systems, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a high-end desktop monster for creators and pros who need maximum multi-threaded muscle.

Intel Core i5-7442EQ
4C / 4T · 25W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
64C / 128T · 350W
Intel

Core i5-7442EQ

Kaby Lake · 14 nm · 2017

3score
0/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
TDP
25W
Boost Clock
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025

86score
3.9/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz
L3 Cache
256 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 i5-7442EQ
3
Ryzen Threadripper 9980XWinner
86
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X leads by 2766.7% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#1EPYC 9755100
#2Ryzen Threadripper 9980X86
#3Ryzen Threadripper 7980X82
#465Core i3-7350K3
#466Core i5-7442EQ3
#467Core i3-73203
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

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

SpecsCore i5-7442EQRyzen Threadripper 9980X
Cores
Total Cores464
Threads4128
Base Clock3.2 GHz
Boost Clock2.1 GHz5.4 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache1 MB64 MB
L3 Cache6 MB256 MB
Platform
SocketsTR5
MemoryDDR3DDR5
PCIePCIe 3.0PCIe 5.0
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 630
Power
Base TDP25W350W
General
Process14 nm4 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins overall for users who need extreme multi-core performance, leaving the Core i5-7442EQ far behind.

Best value

The Core i5-7442EQ is the smarter pick for budget buyers needing a low-power, basic office PC.

When the other wins

Choose the Core i5-7442EQ when building a silent, ultra-low-power system for simple web browsing and document editing.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i5-7442EQ better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (86 vs 3 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-7442EQ in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i5-7442EQ?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 2767% faster than the Core i5-7442EQ overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i5-7442EQ or the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. If the Core i5-7442EQ 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.