Core i5-9400vsRyzen Threadripper 9960X
The Core i5-9400 is a no-fuss, six-core desktop chip for everyday computing, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a massive 24-core workstation monster for heavy multitasking and content creation.
Core i5-9400
Coffee Lake · 14 nm · 2019
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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 anyone needing extreme multitasking or heavy workloads, while the Core i5-9400 is only suitable for basic office tasks.
For budget buyers, the Core i5-9400 is the smarter pick for everyday computing, but the Threadripper 9960X offers far more processing muscle for demanding users.
The Core i5-9400 is the right choice if you need a cheap, low-power CPU for a simple home or office PC.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i5-9400 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 6 out of 100), so it leads the Core i5-9400 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X than the Core i5-9400?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is roughly 833% faster than the Core i5-9400 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i5-9400 or the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9960X. If the Core i5-9400 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.