Core i9-12900KvsRyzen Threadripper 9980X
The Core i9-12900K is a high-end desktop CPU for gamers and mainstream creators who need snappy single-core speed, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a workstation monster for professionals running heavily multi-threaded tasks.
Core i9-12900K
Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont · 10 nm · 2021
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Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
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 9980X wins overall for heavy multi-threaded workloads, while the Core i9-12900K is better for everyday tasks and gaming.
For budget or value buyers, the Core i9-12900K is the smarter pick, offering strong performance at a lower power cost.
The Core i9-12900K is the right choice for a gaming PC or home office build where single-thread speed matters more than extreme parallel processing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-12900K 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 25 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-12900K in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i9-12900K?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 244% faster than the Core i9-12900K overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i9-12900K or the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. If the Core i9-12900K 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.