The two most essential components that speed up your gaming performance are the processor and the graphics card. Gamers pay most of the attention to the GPU when they are looking for a gaming rig. But very few people understand that CPUs also have a significant impact on your system performance. If you have already selected RX 6800 ( Amazon ), AMD’s latest star performer, we will focus on finding the best CPU for RX 6800. As it’s a high-end graphics card, you need a powerful CPU that can match its processing power and doesn’t bottleneck your gaming PC in the slightest.
RX 6800 is part of AMD’s latest RDNA2 structure designed specifically for 4K gaming in AAA titles and 2K gaming in Esports gaming adventures. It has the newest AMD’s proprietary software, Adrenaline-2020, that tweaks your system to get the best performance and lag-free gaming experience. Another performance-enhancing feature that AMD utilized for giving its users an ultimate gaming experience is the smart access memory. It has enhanced channels between GPU cores and the memory for the fastest access times. The CPU selection for such a powerful gaming beast is limited to primarily high-performing CPUs from AMD and Intel Catalog. It would be beneficial to understand a few key concepts to understand better which CPU will suit you more.
Have a Look at our shopping tips, and they will help you decide the Best CPU for RX 6800 for unmatched performance.
Quick Shopping Tips
Core Count: It has a direct impact on your CPU multicore performance. You can think of each core as a separate processor that can independently perform all the processing functions a CPU can do. Multiple cores mean multiple tasks can be executed simultaneously, which is very beneficial in modern games. For optimal gaming experience, we recommend an eight-core core CPU to maximize performance/value. Any more than that, and you are paying a premium for marginal gains while fewer cores may lead to bottlenecks.
Boost Frequency: It is still the most critical factor in high FPS gaming these days. The higher a CPU frequency is, the faster it can perform the task at hand. So gaming CPUs often have the highest clocks and are overclocked deliberately to raise it even higher for significant performance gains. It is favorable to select a CPU with a high boost frequency to put less load on overclocking as it requires additional cooling requirements to be met.
Overclocking: Overclocking is a must-have feature in a gaming PC. AMD and Intel offer processors with an unlocked multiplier that you can overclock easily. But keep two things in mind before getting an unlocked CPU. Firstly take into consideration the extra cooling required for the CPU while selecting the cooler. Secondly, keep in mind that unlocked CPU usually don’t have integrated graphics, so they will need an external GPU even when you are not gaming.
AMD or Intel: AMD vs. Intel has been one of the longest debates and the oldest rivalry of the gaming industry, even more so than AMD Vs. Nvidia. We wouldn’t prefer one over the other without extensive research, just because of a few bad reviews. In reality, both offer very high-quality processors and competitive pricing for each market segment. AMD’s focus is more towards the content side as they are famous for multi-tasking, while Intel is still focusing on the gaming franchise.
Best CPUs for RX 6800 at a glance:
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- Intel Core i9-10900K
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- intel core i7-10700k
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
The Best CPUs for RX 6800 You Can Buy Today
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
AMD's Best CPU for RX 6800
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 08/16 | Base Frequency: 3.8 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Lower TDP than competitors
✓ Substantial IPC improvements
✓ Optimized for high-FPS gaming
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No cooler included
✗ Limited overclocking headroom
The first CPU that we have selected for our users is the Ryzen 7 5800X. It has an optimal number of eight cores that are recommended core size for high-end gaming systems. AMD’s Best CPU for RX 6800 belongs to the Ryzen 3 CPU club. Ryzen architecture is AMD’s competitive edge against the Intel CPUs in gaming. This revolutionary architecture allows the cores to be directly linked with the L3 cache resulting in extremely low latency.
The newer architecture allows 5800X to achieve 19% faster IPC performance than last year’s generation. AMD revolutionary lithographic technology allowed it to pin eight cores on a single chip to reduce lags further and increase gains in IPC (Instructions per Cycle). The maximum boost frequency is set at 4.7 GHz, a respectable number in the gaming community. However, Intel is well past this frequency in their flagship models and may result in better FPS in some games due to higher top frequency.
You can expect a mix of single-core and multi-core performance ideal for a single unit setup appropriate for both gaming and your rendering and content creation applications. The CPU is unlocked for overclocking, which means you don’t need to remain within stock settings. But that also means you need an aftermarket high TDP cooler for maintaining the thermals while overclocking as no stock cooler is provided with it. Even if we combine the cost of an aftermarket cooler, the overall package is still a recommended buy for high-end gaming machines.
Intel Core i9-10900K
Intel's Best CPU for RX 6800
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket: LGA 1200 | Architecture: Comet Lake | Cores/Threads: 10/20 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 5.3 GHz | TDP: 125W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Upgraded network IC
✓ Thermal Monitoring Technology
✓ Highest boost frequency of 5.3GHz
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No PCIe 4.0
✗ Higher cooling requirement
While AMD has given a tough time to Intel by producing less expensive gaming processors, Intel is still the go-to processor for extreme gaming and top performance. Intel’s Best CPU for RX 6800 is last year’s flagship killer Intel Core i9-10900K because of its powerful performance and reduced price due to the launch of rocket lake CPUs. It has the maximum boost frequency of 5.3 GHz, which is the highest frequency among all our Intel and AMDs portfolio recommendations.
Intel i9 CPU has a competitive edge for high FPS gaming due to its highest boost frequency among rivals and is the best CPU for RX 6800 for 4K gaming. You can get an average of 100+ FPS on modern titles and flaunt your lag-free gaming rig during your LAN parties. Whatever you throw at it, the CPU can handle it flawlessly, and you never have to worry about bottlenecks ever. All CPU cores come pre-overclocked to 4.9 GHz, while the Turbo Boost and thermal velocity boost can push it to 5.2 and 5.3 GHz.
Intel CPUs are the easiest to overclock. Just buy a suitable cooler and start increasing the voltage or the multiplier, and voila, you got yourself an overclocked PC. The problem is they dissipate an immense amount of heat while at it. The advertised TDP of 125W is just the tip of the iceberg, as the CPU can burst to upwards of 250W and more when it reaches its max frequencies. Be sure to find a capable cooling solution, preferably a liquid cooler, to prevent peak frequencies at higher temperatures. It is a famous top contender among enthusiasts.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Best Premium CPU for RX 6800
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 12/24 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.8 GHz | TDP: 105W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Single-core champion
✓ VR-ready premium features
✓ Multiplier-unlocked out of box
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No integrated GPU
✗ High-priced than previous-gen
Ryzen 9 5900X is the most desirable CPU for 3-D modeling, rendering, and encoding apps due to its powerful 12 core chip and almost 23% faster processing energy-efficient speed. But is it the best CPU for gaming? Let’s find out. The Ryzen CPU is a recommended solution for esports and competitive gaming due to its highest multi-thread performance and blazing fast graphic performance via its PCIe 4.0 support, as it’s the Best Premium CPU for RX 6800. The CPU complements the newer GPUs perfectly with the latest chipset support and improves overall benchmarks with a capable GPU such as RX 6800.
Previous generations (before 2nd gen) CPUs tend to drop peak frequency sharply with an increase in core count resulting in better multi-core performance but subpar single-core performance. AMD integrated an innovative technology, ‘Precision Boost 2’ with Ryzen 3 CPUs to enhance the single-core performance and maintain the boost frequency. Another revolutionary technology AMD employed is the Precision Boost Overdrive that allows the CPU to achieve its maximum boost frequency for more extended periods without throttling.
The CPU needs to be paired with a high-efficiency liquid cooler to perform at peak levels.
Another advantage AMD has over Intel is the wider compatibility among generations. The CPU is compatible with older generation motherboards via an easy BIOS update and shares the same AM4 socket that has been unchanged for the last five years. It also flaunts the StoreMI technology that allows regular HDDs to achieve SSD speed via automatic transfer of high-use data to SSDs for improved boot and load times. If you want to get the best of both the creation and the gaming world, you have the answer.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Best Budget CPU for RX 6800
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 06/12 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Very low TDP
✓ PCIe 4.0 enabled
✓ Wraith Stealth CPU Cooler included
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Increased gen-on-gen price
✗ No support for x470 motherboards
Very few people can afford an expensive high-end gaming rig for the rest of the gamers, the budget is fixed most of the time, and we have to maximize performance and value to get everything within our budget. Ryzen 5 5600X is just the CPU for such people as it’s the Best Budget CPU for RX 6800. Although we will not get top results, we can get off the chart 1080p results and playable 1440p frames per sec on modern games; that is the intention of mid-range builds.
AMD processors are the newest mainstream gaming CPUs that provide better value than most Intel CPUs, beating them at their own game. Even with just six cores, it got more juice than the older generation’s eight-core processors due to the revolutionary ryzen architecture. At just 7nm dia size, the Instruction per cycle is already improved just by reducing chip size. Further enhancements are made via restructuring the core fabrication into a single chipset to maximize lane speeds.
The overall IPC speed enhancements translate to around 19% over Ryzen 2 CPUs pushing 5600X into the limelight as the Best CPU for RX 6800. What makes this product an even better bargain is adding a bundled CPU cooler (Wraith Stealth Cooler) that can work perfectly fine on your gaming load. Overall we find the 5600X to be a reliable gaming companion for 1080p and 2K budget gamers.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Best Flagship CPU for RX 6800
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 12/24 | Base Frequency: 3.8 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 105W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ AMD SenseMI technology
✓ Compatible with last-gen chipset
✓ Thermal solution with RGBs bundled
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No support for windows 7
✗ Lacks in premium network features
As AMD has already established a significant customer base with Ryzen processors, it doesn’t need to keep the price very low to attract the public. To our dismay, the Ryzen 5000 series CPUs debut brought a newer pricing structure, which increased quite a bit than last year. The older Zen 2 chips like AMD Ryzen 9 3900X now hold more value and are the Best Flagship CPU for RX 6800 from the previous lineup.
The Zen 2 processors are a bit bulky and contain more cores than similar performing Ryzen 3 CPUs, but still, they are the best performers in the market both in gaming and in encoding applications. If you are already a user of 3900X, we recommend you keep it and don’t upgrade just yet as the gains are marginal and prices are higher for the newer chips. It has nearly similar benchmarks to Intel’s 9900K, which was the flagship of its time, and it can be both used as a gaming or a production PC at the same time.
Apart from minor performance enhancements, the only significant improvement in the Zen 3 processors is PCI 4.0 support. Since the GPU manufacturers are yet to utilize the higher bandwidth of newer slots, you are OK with older PCIe 3.0. So recommend you stick with the 3900X until we can see practical improvements in the newer processors. The CPU will not disappoint you and is the most suitable candidate for high-end professional and gaming systems.
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Best Overall CPU for RX 6800
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 16/32 | Base Frequency: 3.4 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.9 GHz | TDP: 105W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Perfect for HEDT
✓ Higher Instructions Per Clock (IPC)
✓ Precision Boost Overdrive technology
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Heavy price tag
✗ No user-friendly interface
If you are an enthusiast gamer or do high-end professional work and don’t mind spending a significant amount of money on a lavish but only the top-performing CPU, Ryzen 9 5950X is your mark. It will get you the performance that other processors don’t dare to achieve and will work flawlessly through any obstacle you push it through. Say goodbye to stutters during 2K and even 4K gaming, and enjoy the smoothest gameplay with the Best Overall CPU for RX 6800.
Ryzen 9 is a mainstream desktop processor with performance reaching HEDTs. It is well deployed in a high-end workstation with an intense multithreaded workload that only HEDT processors can handle. These extreme loads are only handled by core X series Intel processors, which are very pricey. We don’t recommend the 5950X for average users and only gaming-centric systems as it would be a waste of its massive resources and an expensive mistake.
We recommend 5950X for high-performance content creation systems and massively loaded servers and HEDTs. It competes with Intel and its Threadripper processors, which are specially designed for such types of jobs. But it is the best CPU for RX 6800, having a competitive advantage of lower pricing than both processors and doesn’t require a distinctive socket and CPU cooler. If you belong to the enthusiast club, this is the perfect solution for your gaming and professional necessities.
intel core i7-10700k
Best Performance CPU for RX 6800
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket: LGA 1200 | Architecture: Comet Lake | Cores/Threads: 8/16 | Base Frequency: 3.80 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 5.10 GHz | TDP: 125 W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Hyper-Threading enabled
✓ Intel InTru 3D Technology
✓ Supports 3 displays simultaneously
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No ECC memory support
✗ No thermal Velocity Boost
With relentless pressure from AMD, Intel has upped its games and launched the comet lake processors with more cores and similar prices to last year’s Coffee lake processors. Intel Core i7-10700K is their Best Performance CPU for RX 6800, with far better overall performance than 9900K previous year’s flagship CPU without paying a surcharge. It also possesses the perfect number of cores (08/16) that are a cost-effective solution for gaming and comparable performance to i9 processors.
The Comet lake processor has doubled the threads from 8 to 16 and a 33% increase in cache size compared to its predecessor, 9700K, which had no hyperthreading technology. It can process twice as many tasks simultaneously as the older model making it equally effective in games and workstations. Its performance within CPU-intensive games is impressive, with its maximum boost of 5.1 GHz via turbo boost technology.
The benchmark tests confirm that 10700K can get immersive gameplay at 1440p and 4K with 150+ and 95+ FPS with the AMD RX 6800 GPU. Being a high-performance CPU means it will dissipate a lot of heat while at work. We need a high-capacity CPU air cooler or a capable liquid cooling solution if we want to enjoy the fastest gameplay and the best graphics it can pull off.
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Best Enthusiast CPU for RX 6800
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 2 | Cores/Threads: 16/32 | Base Frequency: 3.5 GHz | Max Boost Frequency: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105 W
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Integrated Wi-Fi
✓ Optimal energy-efficient
✓ Precise CPU Boost technology
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No Enduro Technology features
✗ It needs a high-end liquid cooler
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is another HEDT(High-End Desktop) processor born into the consumer market desktop lineup. It has the same number of cores and threads as its bigger brother, the 5950X from the Zen 3 lineup. Being a processor from the Zen 3 lineup has its perks. Firstly, its price has taken a dip after the debut of Zen 3 processors, increasing its performance to price ratio. Secondly, it is still the Best Enthusiast CPU for RX 6800 at the moment, owing to its exemplary performance.
CPUs of such huge stature shouldn’t be bought for a single-purpose rig. It is an insult to this massively powerful processor to be used in mid-range gaming machines or moderate-level multi-tasking jobs. The 3950X shines when it is up against the most intensive tasks like CPU-intensive games, encoding and rendering work, and in HEDTs. There we can fully utilize its immense firepower and justify its exorbitant price.
Machines owning the 3950X are for the top 1% of the PC builders. These are for extreme performers and enthusiasts who appreciate raw performance and processing power over performance to price ratio. Rest assured, you can execute an intensive task and perform any job you can think of on this machine. It is an actual all-in-one-purpose CPU that the elite use in their machines to stand out with style.
Conclusion
Building a gaming rig is an expensive task. If you don’t maximize the value, you will end up spending more than your budget on a mediocre rig, or even worse, and you will fall short of your budget and end up with an incomplete rig. Intel and AMD both cover vast market segments and have a suitable CPU for each category. The new Ryzen chipset is the game-changer, and it has pushed AMD into the limelight it so deserved. On the other hand, Intel is forced to reduce their prices for their newer processors and add more value to their processors by adding more cores and multi-threading technology.
As we already know, the RX 6800 bode well with only the best performers. We have selected two best in category processors that cover two major market segments, the budget gamer, and the enthusiast. The enthusiast user should go for the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X, which will ample for an all-purpose machine that can give you the best gaming results and perform the fastest content-creation tasks. The budget king is the Ryzen 5 5600X that maximizes value and performance while providing the best 1440p gameplay. It also covers the newest PCIe 4.0 integration and is a future-proof gaming CPU.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best CPU for RX 6800?
Intel Core i9-10900K is the best CPU for RX 6800 that outperforms every gaming PC in raw gaming potential and gets you the highest frames per second on all modern games. It should be the CPU of your choice for 4K gaming with RX 6800 for the fastest lag-free experience in your favorite titles. Nevertheless, you need to buy at least a 250W CPU cooler if you want to get the advertised performance.
What CPU is good with RX 6800?
Intel Core i7-10700K is a top performer hidden behind the much expensive Core i9 comet lake CPUs. It has near-flagship benchmarks at an acceptable cost compared to the i9 CPUs and is significantly better than Coffee lake processors. It also offers fully-featured hyper-threading technology that was non-existent in similarly priced coffee lake processors.
What CPU to pair with RX 6800?
If you want to build a high-end gaming PC that you can sometimes use for encoding/rendering jobs as well, Ryzen 7 5800X will never let you down. AMD CPUs are already famous for their multitasking potential. The newest 5000 CPU excels in single-core performance as well. It flaunts the most recent Zen 3 architecture that helps it to improve IPC up to 19%, enhancing the overall single-core output.
Which Ryzen CPU is the best for the Radeon RX 6800?
If you like a reasonably priced flagship performer ample for all your computing necessities, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is our recommendation. It is a well-trusted gaming and productivity-oriented CPU that will all hold its ground. The price reduction after Zen 3 processors make it uniquely valuable for top performers and make it a bargain deal.
