Best CPUs for Radeon RX 6800 XT

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

Brand: AMD | Cores: 12 | Threads: 24 | Lithography: 7nm | Socket: AM4 | Max. Frequency: 4.8 GHz | TDP: 105 Watts | Base Clock: 3.7 GHz | Effective Cache: 70 MB | PCIe Version: 4 | Unlocked: Yes | Inbox Cooler: No | Dimensions: 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches

What recent buyers report?

Benchmarking matters the most; it is the ultimate performance test, and AMD Ryzen 9 5900X beats its competition. This processor is packed with an incredible 70MB of cache with PCIe 4.0 support suitable for the Radeon RX 6800 XT. This combination of GPU and CPU can let you play most games above 100+ fps at 1080p.

Why it stands out to us?

This processor is, without a doubt, one of the best performing processors in the market. It is built for enthusiasts who want to own the fastest CPU in the market with many threads. This processor can easily handle streaming, video editing, and gaming. It has an excellent single and multi-core performance. It can reach up to 5.0 GHz, as reported by some test benches.

Who will use it most?

Suppose you are a casual gamer; buying this CPU and a GPU as fast as the Radeon RX 6800 XT won’t be justice to your money. If you are looking for the absolute best in the market and want to play games at Ultra settings at 1080p resolution with 100+ fps, this is the right choice. This processor can handle anything from simple video encoding to hardcore online gaming with streaming simultaneously.

Bottom Line

Considering the massive power given off by this processor, we believe this processor will be a wise choice for content creators, streamers, and competitive gamers. Otherwise, it’s too much money spent to gain 100+ fps at 1080p. More budget options are available in the market that cannot cause the GPU to bottleneck during gaming. It is a good processor, but it’s an overkill for the Radeon RX 6800 XT.

Intel Core i9-10900K

Brand: Intel | Cores: 10 | Threads: 20 | Lithography: 14 nm | Socket: LGA1200 | Max. Frequency: 5.3 GHz | TDP: 125 Watts | Base Clock: 3.7 GHz | Effective Cache: 20 MB | PCIe Version: 3 | Unlocked: Yes | Inbox Cooler: No | Dimensions: 3.54 x 5.24 x 6.1 inches

What recent buyers report?

Intel Core i9-10900K sits among the best processors in 2021. It can run any AAA title with ease and without causing any bottleneck in gaming. The Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) exploited by this processor boosts 5.3 GHz on a single core and 4.9 GHz across all ten seats. Cooling is, however, essential to keep the processor running under such high frequencies.

Why it stands out to us?

Looking at its compatibility with the Radeon RX 6800 XT, benchmarking shows promising results. The Intel Core i9-10900k has enough power to support the GPU. In fact, in this case, the GPU will be lagging in performance compared to the CPU. With the capability to run most AAA titles at 100+fps and even some titles with 200+ fps at 1080p, this processor is a future-proof wise choice for enthusiasts.

Who will use it most?

Like the other processor with similar Comet Lake-S architecture, this will only fit in the LGA1200 socket with a 400 series motherboard. It has a lot of overhead for overclocking, so Z490 chipsets are most suitable for overclockers. Otherwise, if you are not an overclocker, you can look for a more budget-friendly option like the ASRock lineup of H410, B460, and H470 chipsets.

Bottom Line

If you are looking to get your enemy down in a game with the competitive advantage of a gaming rig belonging to the top tier, this processor should be your choice. While for streamers, they should go for processors that have much to offer in multi-tasking. Otherwise, gaming on this processor at 1080p on a 144hz or even 240hz screen monitor with the FreeSync technology provided by the Radeon RX 6800 XT can have flawless victories with good skills.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Brand: AMD | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Lithography: 7nm | Socket: AM4 | Max. Frequency: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105 Watts | Base Clock: 3.8 GHz | Effective Cache: 36 MB | PCIe Version: 4 | Unlocked: Yes | Inbox Cooler: No | Dimensions: 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches

What recent buyers report?

This CPU is overkill for most GPUs as it is powerful enough to run any game at 4K resolution. The AMD AM4 chipset has proven to be more powerful than Intel’s LGA1200 socket, even with similar release dates. Without a doubt, AMD is leading in processing technology in gaming. It works with most motherboard chipset with a simple BIOS update.

Why it stands out to us?

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor is heaven for video renderers as it scores 2607 on Cinebench R15 with 8 cores and 16 threads. It also outperforms all the Intel processors in terms of performance/price ratio. It has reduced the bottlenecking issue with increased cache to the humongous amount of 36MB. The single-core performance against Intel is still a question mark, but its multiprocessing capability is top-notch and unbeatable.

Who will use it most?

Content creators can go wild with their video encoding on this processor. It remains in the top 20 CPUs for video rendering in Q4 2020. For gaming with a Radeon RX 6800 XT, this CPU will not face any hurdle or performance degradation caused by the CPU’s speed. As there is no cooler inbox, it is the right choice for people who already own an AIO cooler for AM4 socket, but new AMD CPU users should consider this additional cost.

Bottom Line

Ryzen 7 5800X is one of the fastest processors in the market. With a power consumption of 105 watts with overclocking capability to reach 4.7 GHz, this processor is too much power for any modern AAA title. Online gaming such as the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Valorant can easily reach 100+fps performance at 1080p resolution. The temperature of this processor also remains around 68oC during peak loads.

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

Brand: AMD | Cores: 16 | Threads: 32 | Lithography: 7nm | Socket: AM4 | Max. Frequency: 4.9 GHz | TDP: 105 Watts| Base Clock: 3.4 GHz| Effective Cache: 72 MB | PCIe Version: 4 | Unlocked: Yes | Inbox Cooler: No | Dimensions: 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches

What recent buyers report?

After the AMD Ryzen 9 5000 series release, we can boldly say that AMD has knocked out Intel in the processor battle. The incredible single and multi-core processing capability is superior to any Intel processor in the market. The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X processor even passes the 5GHz mark and makes it an easy choice for enthusiasts and high-end PC owners.

Why it stands out to us?

AMD has outdone themselves this time. They are maintaining their promise of not changing the socket and improving performance. The 7nm lithography helps it maintain low power consumption. They have made significant improvements in the way it accesses the cache. Games rely heavily on memory and cache. A larger cache helps processors access the stored data faster. They are thus cutting down the high-latency caused by accessing the main memory again and again.

Who will use it most?

This processor is not of much value for gamers as the 5900x performs faster at a much lower price. AMD has outperformed in single and multi-threaded applications. Single-thread performance is suitable for Cinebench. Gaming performance is also outstanding under overclocked conditions, but the amount of money you will be spending makes the 5900x a better choice for gamers. In contrast, content creators would love the lower encoding times.

Bottom Line

Most Ryzen 5000 processor tests show results that beat intel in performance and heat production and hit Intel’s performance after overclocking. The Smart Memory Access feature by AMD in their GPUs allows them to enhance data transfer performance between CPU and GPU. To get the best performance out of your gaming rig, you will need to combine a Radeon RX 6800 XT with a Ryzen 9 5000 series processor and a 500-series motherboard. The results will be astonishing.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Brand: AMD | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Lithography: 7 nm | Socket: AM4 | Max. Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65 Watts | Base Clock: 3.7 GHz | Effective Cache: 35 MB | PCIe Version: 4 | Unlocked: Yes | Inbox Cooler: Wraith Stealth | Dimensions: 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches

What recent buyers report?

This processor beats Intel out of the park with its performance in both gaming and application loads. However, it’s slightly more expensive than the previous generation counterpart. It even beats the Intel Core i9-10900k performance, which is considered a flagship chip from Intel. It’s capable of playing all the AAA titles at 100+ fps, all of that, with a much lower price than its competition.

Why it stands out to us?

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is one of the most power-efficient processors made by any brand. In terms of performance to the power consumed, this processor beats all its competition. Combining it with AMD’s own Radeon RX 6800 XT, you can play games at 100+ fps with little to no bottleneck. The 6-core 12-thread chip gives out stunning results with a 19% improvement in IPC.

Who will use it most?

AMD’s new lineup of processors is favorable for existing Ryzen AM4 socket based chip owners as this processor is compatible with the 500-series and 400-series motherboard after a simple BIOS upgrade. Most of the motherboard manufacturers are now supporting this processor out of the box. If you are building a rig from scratch, then the best choice for this CPU would be the B550 lineup, which offers the best overall value.

Bottom Line

Suppose you are looking for the best in the market at a reasonable price and least investment, then this one is the best processor. Everything from its compatibility with most GPU regarding the bottleneck to single and multi-tasking capability is entirely accurate. It lies in the sweet spot of performance to make it the best value for money. The power efficiency of 65W TDP is the best in the business. You will save a significant amount of money while running this chip.

Intel Core i7-10700k

Brand: Intel | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Lithography: 14 nm | Socket: LGA1200 | Max. Frequency: 5.1 GHz | TDP: 125 Watts | Base Clock: 3.8 GHz | Effective Cache: 16 MB | PCIe Version: 3 | Unlocked: Yes | Inbox Cooler: No | Dimensions: 4.65 x 4.17 x 1.89 inches

What recent buyers report?

Comparing it to the other 10th generation intel processors, Intel Core i7-10700k has a better price/performance ratio. Intel has been leading the market with its single-core performance, which helps most applications run smoother. In contrast, AMD is known for multitasking. Just remember that this processor does not come with a cooler inside the box, and due to its capability to reach high frequency when overclocked, a higher performing cooling kit is required.

Why it stands out to us?

Although it does not support PCIe 4.0 due to the Intels cache management, it still performs well. The support for 128GB of ram and high speed overclocking for DDR4 make it able to run any AAA title with ease. 4K gaming at 60+ fps is possible with this CPU and GPU combined.

Who will use it most?

Intel Core i7-10700k is made for upper mid-range PCs. However, it might not need large amounts of computational power for gaming. The 8 core 16 threads are high enough for gaming requirements. Gaming requires multiple cores, while regular applications cannot utilize multi-core performance, making Intel a better product choice. Average office users would appreciate the single-core performance, in which Intel leads against AMD.

Bottom Line

The overall price of the processor with Radeon RX 6800 XT is high due to indirect costs. It is undoubtedly a worthy CPU not only for gaming purposes but also for other heavy tasks like programming and graphics designing. The processor, being a K variant, also features an integrated graphics card. A big plus for people who work along with some gaming at home. This processor is easy to overclock, but it has the massive power needed to run all the processor-intensive games of 2021.

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Brand: AMD | Cores: 16 | Threads: 32 | Lithography: 7nm | Socket: AM4 | Max. Frequency: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105 Watts | Base Clock: 3.5 GHz| Effective Cache: 72 MB | PCIe Version: 4 | Unlocked: Yes | Inbox Cooler: No | Dimensions: 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches

What recent buyers report?

It has been highly rated among the gaming community and reviewers. Although compared to the 3900x, this features few more cores, 4 to be precise. These extra cores need better cooling, so AMD not including a cooler within the box is a smart move as it will not be able to take away heat produced by that 105-watt TDP. The chip quickly reached 4.7 GHz without any hurdle and even beyond at some points.

Why it stands out to us?

AMD keeps the 64MB of L3 cache on this one with access to 24 lanes of PCIe 4.0 interface. The PCIe 4.0 interface is faster for the SSDs and, most importantly, the graphics card. Using a Radeon RX 6800 XT with this processor will improve gaming performance. The power consumption cannot be directly related to the TDP value. After overclocking, we found out that the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X consumes less power than the overclocked 3900X, surprising as the 3950X features more cores.

Who will use it most?

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X belongs to upper mid-range PCs. If you are looking for low power consumption but excellent performance, this processor is the right choice. Also, content creators who will be using their computational device round the clock would not mind the extra capital cost against the 3900x. At the same time, it is recommended to use a better AIO cooling solution for overclocking.

Bottom Line

Being a 3000 series processor has its drawbacks. Even though it is high-speed processing in terms of multicore performance, it might not extract the true potential of the AMDs latest lineup of 6000 series GPUs. The Radeon RX 6800 XT has smart access memory, which this processor does not support. It is still the right choice for gamers looking to upgrade in the future as it is low in price and still relevant to the 100+fps high setting 1080p gamers.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

Brand: AMD | Cores: 12 | Threads: 24 | Lithography: 7 nm | Socket: AM4 | Max. Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 105 Watts | Base Clock: 3.8 GHz | Effective Cache: 70 MB | PCIe Version: 4 | Unlocked: Yes | Inbox Cooler: Wraith Prism LED | Dimensions: 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches

What recent buyers report?

The massive game cache that AMD has featured in this processor with good overall management helps reduce frequent data transfer between processor and RAM. Though the processor runs a little higher in terms of thermal heat than the other 3rd gen AMD processors, the wraith cooler included out of the box is still enough to support such thermals.

Why it stands out to us?

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X processor was one of the first processors with the 7nm technology. AMD Ryzen 3000 chips work with the all-new x570 chipset and remain backward compatible with the most AM4 socket supporting motherboards. The processor comes with a wraith prism beefy stock cooler, solid thermal interface material, AI-based overclocking capability, and lower per-core pricing. Having featured all the above, it does support the PCIe 4.0 interface for the Radeon RX 6800 XT.

Who will use it most?

This processor is made for mid-range gaming PCs. It provides a decent headroom for overclocking, but it is recommended to use a better AIO cooling solution for overclocking. The wraith cooler is not enough to overclock to the limits. The power consumption is low for the performance and will help keep your energy bills within limits. If you are just a regular computer user, most applications can’t utilize all 12 cores, so it is an overkill for office work.

Bottom Line

Combining this processor with the AMD RX 6800 XT would be a great choice; however, the processor might not fully utilize the GPU’s potential. The 3000 AMD series does not feature the smart access memory that helps improve GPU and CPU communication that can be seen when the game is benchmarked. Still, this processor does a good job maintaining 100+ fps at a high setting on 1080p resolutions. However, it does support PCIe 4.0, which is in line with the GPU.