Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

Intel

Core i5-12400F

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

64 Cores128 Thrd350 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025
Threadripper Pro family
···

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-12400F

2022

Why buy it

  • Costs $7,825 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
  • Delivers 481.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 112.3 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 350W, a 285W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,380 vs 120,000).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +36.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
  • 540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 112.3 PassMark/$ ($7,999 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
  • 438.5% higher power demand at 350W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-12400F.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX better than Core i5-12400F?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-12400F is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 36.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 256 MB versus 18 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 869.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1322.2% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-12400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX comes in 4497.1% more expensive on MSRP at $7,999 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 36.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-12400F is also 481.7% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 19.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2022), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 256 MB L3 cache instead of 18 MB, more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 6/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-12400F vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i5-12400F

The Core i5-12400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,532 points. Launch price was $180.

AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 154,361 points. Launch price was $7,999.

Processing Power

The Core i5-12400F packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX has 58 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-12400F versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-12400F uses the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-12400F scores 19,532 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX's 154,361 — a 155.1% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,380 vs 120,000 (162.6% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,700 vs 3,644, a 72.8% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 37,967 (193.2% advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core i5-12400F vs 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
64 / 128+967%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
5.4 GHz+23%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache
18 MB (total)
256 MB (total)+1322%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+25%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Alder Lake-S (2022)
Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark
19,532
154,361+690%
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,380
120,000+869%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,700
3,644+114%
Geekbench 6 Multi
657
37,967+5679%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-12400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-12400F versus DDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-12400F) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-12400F) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-12400F) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX).

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Socket
LGA1700
sTR5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
DDR5-6400+33%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
128+540%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-12400F) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX). Primary use case: Core i5-12400F targets Gaming Performance/Value, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-12400F rivals Ryzen 5 5600; Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX rivals Xeon w9-3475X.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Integrated GPU
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
true
Target Use
Gaming Performance/Value
High-end Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-12400F was priced at $174, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX came in at $7999. On launch pricing ($174 vs $7999), Core i5-12400F was $7825 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-12400F delivers 112.3 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — making the Core i5-12400F the 141.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-12400FRyzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
MSRP
$174-98%
$7999
Performance per Dollar
112.3+482%
19.3
Release Date
2022
2025

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