Core i9-12900KSvsRyzen Threadripper 7980X
The Core i9-12900KS is a fast desktop chip for gamers and everyday power users, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is a workstation-class monster for creators and pros who need massive multi-core grunt.
Core i9-12900KS
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 with far more cores and memory, leaving the Core i9-12900KS in the dust for heavy workloads.
For budget buyers, the Core i9-12900KS is the smarter pick, offering strong performance at a much lower cost.
The Core i9-12900KS is right for a gaming or light productivity build where the Threadripper's extreme core count is unnecessary.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-12900KS 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 26 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-12900KS in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X than the Core i9-12900KS?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is roughly 215% faster than the Core i9-12900KS overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy, the Core i9-12900KS or the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7980X. If the Core i9-12900KS 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.