Core i9-12900KSvsRyzen Threadripper 9980X
The Core i9-12900KS is a high-end desktop chip for gamers and content creators who need fast single-core performance, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a workstation monster for professionals running heavy multi-threaded tasks.
Core i9-12900KS
Alder Lake-S · Intel 7 nm · 2022
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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 multitasking and professional workloads, while the Core i9-12900KS is better for mainstream gaming and single-thread tasks.
For budget/value buyers, the Core i9-12900KS offers strong single-thread performance at a lower system cost than the Threadripper 9980X.
If you build a compact gaming rig where extreme multi-core power is unnecessary, the Core i9-12900KS is the right choice over the massive Threadripper 9980X.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Core i9-12900KS 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 26 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-12900KS in most workloads.
How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i9-12900KS?
Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 231% 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 9980X?
If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. 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.