Building a custom PC or upgrading the old PC is becoming more popular among gamers and pro users. If you are interested in building or upgrading your PC with RTX 3090 ( Amazon ), then you should also be aware of the available options for the most suitable CPUs for RTX 3090. In this buying guide, we will be discussing almost every best CPU for RTX 3090. RTX 3090 is a high-end graphics card and undoubtedly the best one you can buy for the money. Performance-wise, this card outwits almost all of its predecessors and most rivals. It offers bundles of memory for the tons of data your top-end games are likely to store. Plus, its versatile nature makes it the best choice for enthusiast gamers and content creators, and other users wanting to deal efficiently with their immense workloads. This card bears the crown of being the most desirable one for all users out there.
For this powerful beast RTX 3090, which delivers jaw-dropping 8k gaming along with perfect 3D rendering and encoding performance, one must own robust components. The components must be able to cope with the card’s super-fast speed and complement its performance. A CPU is the first and foremost thing that should pop up in your mind now. Finding the most suitable CPU isn’t much of an easy task. But wait! Don’t freak out! We are here to help you out with this matter. So wait no more and get going with us, deeper into the world of the best processors. But before you start that joyous journey with us, take your time to look into the tips for getting the perfect CPU that we have stated right below.
Quick Shopping Tips:
Purpose: The type, brand, and cost vary significantly for different purposes. If you want just a basic rig for seldom usage or tasks like browsing through some web pages or simple tasks like that, a simple chip with a few cores would be enough for you. Why would you want to spend a fortune on unnecessary features which you aren’t going to use in upcoming years? So it’ll be the most practical idea to go for an entry-level processor in that case. But if you want higher productivity levels for intense gaming, content creation, or multitasking, you should choose something more powerful which can handle these tasks without causing overheating.
Brand: It might be a little hard to decide what brand you want to go with, AMD or Intel. A little more challenging than what you’d expect if you are new to the PC building. But if you have already done a bit of research or are sure of your purpose, as discussed above, you might find it a bit helpful to know that in terms of gaming, Intel does slightly better than AMD. And when it comes to content creation or wanting the best-for-the-value product, AMD is somewhat more preferable. Both brands are top-notch, but you need to opt for the one that goes well with your other components and does the job well.
TDP: Thermal Design Power, commonly known as TDP, is essential to know before choosing a CPU. It shows the maximum amount of heat that a processor is likely to produce under immense workloads. Low TDPs are always better, but you can tackle the higher ones with CPU coolers as well. If you do not want to invest in coolers, pick a CPU with less TDP rate, which means that the product will produce less heat. It is measured in watts and is mentioned on the specification sheet of the product.
Overclocking: Overclocking can step up your game since it increases the processor’s performance significantly. But the thing is, not every processor has this feature. Most gamers want to overclock their rigs to insane extents, so their in-game performance and their system’s overall performance boost. If you are a serious overclocker, you need to go carefully through the details of the product you fancy to make sure that it supports overclocking. Plus, you will have to sacrifice your savings since this feature calls for a compatible and high-end motherboard and a top-tier CPU cooler to keep the temperatures at optimal levels.
Features: When you hunt for a CPU for 3090, you must lookout for some features that might or might not be necessary but will take your rig to an elevated level. Clock speed is one of those critical factors. You should take the number of threads and cores into account as well and the TDP rate, as mentioned above, is crucial to note. You should also check the socket types your CPU can support so that your new purchase doesn’t mess up with the existing or new motherboard. Built-in Wi-Fi is not a must-have but is still nice to have.
Best CPU for RTX 3090 at a glance:
- Intel Core i9-10900K
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- Intel Core i7-10700K
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Intel Core i9-9900K
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Intel Core i5-10600K
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
The Best CPU for RTX 3090 You Can Buy Today
Intel Core i9-10900K
Intel's Best CPU for RTX 3090
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Comet Lake | Socket: LGA 1200 | Cores/Threads: 10/20 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 5.3 GHz | TDP: 125W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Supports 4K gaming
✓ Provides 128GB memory
✓ Future-proof technologies
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No ECC memory support
✗ No Transactional Synchronization Extensions
Intel Core i9-10900K is ranked as one of the most favorite products by most users. This latest processor has an unlocked design with integrated graphics. It has been quite an era of Intel being the best at everything it does for the sake of users. Being the best CPU for RTX 3090, it is one of those few products which make the best use of your money and never let you regret the decision. You can be a pro-level gamer with the assistance of this product and work on whatever you want to; it can be playing around with content media or professional video editing.
No matter what you throw at it, this processor deals with it very efficiently. This multitasker is indeed Intel’s best CPU for RTX 3090. Talking more in-depth about it, we’d say it is one heck of a performer with its ten threads and twenty cores. This product has excessive frequency rates, which most gamers love. The gamer audience has another good point here; the high frame rate it delivers. But there are a few setbacks that we will not omit to mention. This product does not come with a cooler, so you should buy a good one for better thermal performance. The 128GB memory is a great point, though.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
AMD's Best CPU for RTX 3090
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Zen 3 | Socket: AM4 | Cores/Threads: 08/16 | Base Frequency: 3.8 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ AM4 socket compatible
✓ AMD Ryzen Master Utility
✓ Supports high FPS graphics
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No stock cooler
✗ No Integrated graphics
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X renders enough functionality for hardcore tasks since it is the best CPU for RTX 3090 and has the most bells and whistles a user wants. AMD is famous for its high-quality products delivering excellent performance. This one is another commendable accomplishment of the well-recognized brand. You can use this product for workstations and gaming purposes; it will nail the performance levels for sure. Like Zen 3 architecture and support for AM4 socket, its latest specifications stand out among its competitors. With some impressive improvements over its predecessors, this processor is one of the most suitable ones out there.
Those improvements make it AMD’s best CPU for RTX 3090, which has more plus points than others. People dealing with video editing or encoding have this product as a savior since it allows multitasking and stays fine under stress. The lack of a cooler, however, left us in a bit of dismay. But there’s nothing to panic about, mate! You can add a suitable cooler to your system to squeeze the most performance out of it. If you are looking for a CPU for your 3090 that improves your gaming performance, this is the one. The support for memory speeds up to DDR4+3200MHz and delivery of fps, which is just suitable for any gamer, makes this product the best of its kind.
Intel Core i7-10700K
Best Mid-Range CPU for RTX 3090
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Comet Lake | Socket: LGA 1200 | Cores/Threads: 08/16 | Base Frequency: 3.8GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 5.1GhHz | TDP: 125W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Clear Video HD Technology
✓ Intel Optane Memory Supported
✓ Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No PCIe 4.0 support
✗ No Thermal Velocity Boost
Aren’t you longing for the best CPU for 3090? If so, the Intel Core i7-10700K is something you’d love to come across since it is the best choice for those wanting a sleek product. The compact design of this product gives your desk and set up a modest and tame look. The RTX graphics enable the user to enjoy VR and 4K gaming. Surprisingly, this processor is great with overclocking. But you will have to deal with the heat dissipation. Although the heat isn’t much, if you want to go a bit overboard with the clock speeds, you will need a CPU cooler. With compatible cooling equipment, there’s nothing to worry about anymore.
There is no support for the PCIe 4.0 slot, but for those who can settle with 3.0, this is the most suitable CPU for 3090. The power consumption is modest, yet the performance is mesmerizing. Eight threads and sixteen cores might not sound impressive to some users, but the fps and multitasking performance it delivers are off the hook! If not the classiest amongst others, this processor is best in its way. That’s why we call it the best mid-range CPU for RTX 3090. This product is the best example of getting way more than what you pay for; now that’s something impressive!
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Best Overall CPU for RTX 3090
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Zen 3 | Socket: AM4 | Cores/Threads: 12/24 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.8 GHz | TDP: 105W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Lower TDP than competitors
✓ Offers PCI Express 4.0 support
✓ AMD Ryzen VR-Ready Premium
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No AMD Infinity Guard
✗ No AMD SmartShift Technology
For everyone looking for an all-rounder product that is great at basic tasks and excels at dealing with intense workloads, AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is the need of the hour. Professional gamers want robust processors which can cope with their rough usage and perform well even under stress. Programmers and professional video editors wish their system to run so smoothly that every component goes hand in hand with each other. Regardless of all that, everyone wants his rig to be feature-filled and future-proof. In any case, this processor fits everyones' needs thus is the best overall CPU for RTX 3090.
The number of cores and threads matters a lot, and the good thing is, this CPU has a plethora of them. That means no matter how immense the workload is, this processor will not betray you in the middle of an important task. The Zen 3 architecture enhances its modernity and makes it perfect for being a CPU for 3090. AMD is already a big hit in the market. Being a high-end processor by AMD, this processor has been a hotshot in the world of technology ever since this CPU was unleashed and is still a favorite. Even though it has a few features missing and efficiency could use some improvement, the brand has paid attention to the details and made a great effort in manufacturing it.
Intel Core i9-9900K
Best Flagship CPU for RTX 3090
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Coffee Lake | Socket: LGA 1151 | Cores/Threads: 08/16 | Base Frequency: 3.6 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 5.0 GHz | TDP: 95W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Intel UHD 630 Graphics
✓ Hyper-threading supported
✓ Higher-performance at lower-TDP
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ High-end CPU cooler required
✗ No LGA 1200 socket compatible
Intel’s 9th generation processors have been all the rage over the past few months. The turbo clock speeds it offers are breathtaking. Intel Core i9-9900K allows you to overclock up to 5.0GHz. These qualities stirred up a sensation in the gamers. If you want to build a rig to have fun with and to derive the most potential from it, this is the one that is going to suit you the most. With high-quality and numerous cores and threads, this CPU is the best flagship CPU for RTX 3090. It might be the best gaming processor as Intel claims it to be; its worldwide fame and testing results make us accept that too, to a certain extent.
Apart from being a great performer in the gaming arena, this processor is stable for other tasks. Video encoding and editing with this CPU shout out loud of its being the best CPU for 3090. High-frequency rates with lower power consumption than others make our experts recommend this processor. But being such an absolute powerhouse means heat generation can be upped too. A top-end CPU cooler can fix that issue effortlessly. It might add to the cost but will outwit all the rivals. Team blue indeed has gained some new fans with this project.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Best Enthusiast CPU for RTX 3090
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Zen 3 | Socket: AM4 | Cores/Threads: 06/12 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ DDR4 up to 3200MHz
✓ Wraith Stealth included
✓ AMD StoreMI Technology
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No AMD PRO security
✗ No Introduction to Semiconductors
Most people reckon it’s hard to find a product that offers some decent features at a moderate price. AMD has proven such notions wrong again. With another modern and classy product at a timid price tag, the brand made quite a bit of effort for the users. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a six-core and twelve-thread CPU which slays 1080p gaming. Either you are a fan of team red or team blue, this processor being the best enthusiast CPU for RTX 3090, is bound to make you go awe-struck!
AMD never fails to impress us with modernity, does it? Being the best CPU for RTX 3090 processor supports all the existing AM4 motherboard sockets and is built on Zen 3 architecture. The best part probably is the TDP. The TDP is so low that you will be amazed to deal with this unique product. But it’s not all roses here since there’s not much to offer to the overclockers, and this CPU lacks discrete integrated graphics. It does have a few loopholes, but the overall quality and performance in such a price tag is nothing less than an offer from the heavens. Who wouldn’t call it as powerful as others with almost the same features, but it costs less and offers more in many aspects.
Intel Core i5-10600K
Best Budget CPU for RTX 3090
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Comet Lake | Socket: LGA 1200 | Cores/Threads: 06/12 | Base Frequency: 4.1 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.8 GHz | TDP: 125W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Dual-channel memory support
✓ FCLGA 1200 socket compatible
✓ Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No support for 8K gaming
✗ No Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0
While choosing the best CPU for 3090, you can’t be on a shopping spree, buying and trying every product you come across and fancy. You have to make a wise decision since you have to deal with the CPU you choose for upcoming years, or at least until you upgrade to a better one. If you don’t want to end up being stuck with a flawed product, better choose something with an excellent price to performance ratio and suit your taste. It must be a great performer and something you can multitask with without causing unbearable heat. And, of course, one shouldn’t forget about the overclocking factor. That’s too much to ask for in a single processor. The Intel Core i5-10600K has all these features and capabilities and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
This processor has most of the ultra-modern features and is a super-cool multitasker. The multithreaded performance it demonstrated during testing made our experts praise the manufacturer’s efforts. The heatsink of this CPU is thicker than most which mean it has a knack for being the best budget CPU for RTX 3090. Thanks to the heat spreader, the overclocking capabilities of this processor are beyond expectations. Even though it is relatively power-hungry, for a mid-tier CPU, it does its job astonishingly well.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Best Performance CPU for RTX 3090
SPECIFICATIONS
Architecture: Zen 2 | Socket: AM4 | Cores/Threads: 12/24 | Base Frequency: 3.8 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 105 W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Unlocked for overclocking
✓ AMD SenseMI technology
✓ Powered with accuracy boost 2
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No VR features
✗ No AMD Integer Scaling
It seems like AMD has made a tremendous effort over the past few years. Each product’s demand rises within a few days when it unveils. The brand is manufacturing money-spinner products, and they are famous for all the good reasons. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is pretty much the most favorite among the gamer community these days. It might not be the best of the bunch since the emergence of its successors, but it still is a multithreaded champion among its rivals. Diving into the specifications, this little beast has 12 cores and 24 threads which are quite a lot. It doesn’t have the latest Zen 3 thing and is built on Zen 2 architecture which is pretty good.
Gleaming a solid comparison of its competitors, we are compelled to say that not only is it powerful and up-to-the-minute, but it is also the best performance CPU for RTX 3090. That said, the CPU being discussed is pretty good at gaming, but it still strives and goes the extra mile to provide you with the best it can. One of our favorite qualities is that you don’t have to invest more bucks on a CPU cooler since it already comes with customizable LED illumination. Unfortunately, it is a little hard to find it in the original form and price, but on the bright side, we have got you covered there! So get this CPU which is a click away from your doorstep.
Conclusion
The RTX 3090 is a powerful graphics card that takes your gaming experience to a whole new level. This card is the first one that allows users to experience 8k gaming without tearing the images apart. This card is superb for gamers who go gaga over the latest and high-end games and for content creators enthusiastic for their jobs. But to have the same performance in your battlefield that you dreamt of just now, you will need a top-tier CPU. In fact, the best CPU for your rig. Now it’s about time you should choose the one that attracts you the most in all aspects. Above, we have mentioned the products that go well with this card. Each of them has its properties and perks.
On your adventurous voyage of finding the right CPU, you must have learned quite a bit about the latest processors and what makes them more recommendable. Depending upon the type of rig you are building and the purpose you will allot to it, Jot down the qualities you want your CPU to have. Then check which one of the products aforementioned is right for you. That’s precisely the best CPU for 3090 that you own. If you are a team blue fan, regardless of what exactly your requirements are, Intel Core i9-10900K is the product that will suit your taste. As for team red supporters, nothing can beat the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. But if you are a person with no company preference and care about performance, you should read each product’s description to know its capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CPU should I get for RTX 3090?
For a powerful graphics card like RTX 3090, the CPU should be equally powerful as well. The Intel Core i9-10900K is the best option in that regard. Since it excels in gaming performance and handles stress pretty well, it is the ultimate choice of gamers worldwide. Along with its ten cores and twenty threads, the multithreaded performance is far better than others with similar qualities. The overclocking capability of this product is beyond perfect. What else would you expect from Intel other than sheer performance?
Is Ryzen 9 3900X enough for 3090?
The graphics card mentioned here, 3090, is quite a beast in terms of performance. It dissipates less heat and is far less noisy than its rivals. If you consider getting the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X for it, you are hitting the right spot. This processor is the one that can complement the fiery performance of such an enthusiast card. Not only will you get the unique features on hand, but it also makes the performance of your gaming especially commendable.
Will the i9 9900k bottleneck The RTX 3090?
Intel Core i9-9900K is a reliable processor and has enough capabilities to support the RTX 3090 without negligible bottlenecking. Its cores and threads are sufficient to provide a swift and peak-level performance that is worth praise. Overclocking capabilities of this CPU will leave you awe-struck. An enthusiastic gamer can rely on this processor to enjoy the maximum of his favorite and the latest games. The single and multi-core performance of this product makes it one of the best ones so far.
What CPU is best for RTX 3090?
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a high-end processor with all the bells and whistles. It is truly classy and performs as well as you’d expect it to, but it doesn’t have a modest price tag. On the flip side, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a mid-ranged processor having everything it takes to be the best enthusiast CPU for RTX 3090. It might not be the wildest of the lot, but its mild nature still does the job pretty well. Its price to performance ratio is splendid.
