Core i5-8400vsRyzen Threadripper 9970X
The Intel Core i5-8400 is a mainstream six-core chip for everyday gaming and office tasks, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is a workstation monster built for heavy rendering and multi-tasking.
Core i5-8400
Coffee Lake-S · 14 nm · 2017
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.
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 overall for anyone needing massive multi-core muscle, while the Core i5-8400 is outclassed entirely.
The Core i5-8400 is the smarter pick for budget buyers on a tight system build where extreme power isn't needed.
The Core i5-8400 is the right choice for a basic office PC or media center where low heat output and cost savings matter.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-8400 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 6 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-8400 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X than the Core i5-8400?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is roughly 967% faster than the Core i5-8400 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i5-8400 or the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9970X. If the Core i5-8400 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.