Core i9-12900vsRyzen Threadripper 7980X
The Core i9-12900 is a mainstream desktop processor for everyday users and gamers, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is a workstation-class chip built for professionals who need maximum multi-threaded power.
Core i9-12900
Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2022
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Ryzen Threadripper 7980X
Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023
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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 7980X wins overall for heavy multithreaded workloads thanks to many more cores, while the Core i9-12900 is better for typical desktop use with lower power draw.
For budget/value buyers, the Core i9-12900 is the smarter pick because it costs less and runs cooler for everyday tasks.
The Core i9-12900 is the right choice in a compact office build where power limits or cooling are strict.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-12900 better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?
Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (82 vs 20 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-12900 in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X than the Core i9-12900?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is roughly 310% faster than the Core i9-12900 overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i9-12900 or the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X. If the Core i9-12900 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.