Best CPUs for RTX 2070 in 2025 – Our top picks
Best CPU for RTX 2070? Let's find out
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All GPUs, no matter how powerful, need a CPU to feed data to them. Without the right CPU and GPU combination, your gaming PC won’t deliver the best performance. The RTX 2070 was released back in 2018, meaning it’s now around 6 years old. However, if paired with the right CPU, it can still turn out to be a solid entry-level gaming PC with commendable 1080p performance. While the RTX 2070 was initially targeted at 1440p gaming, modern games are becoming more demanding, so this GPU is better suited for 1080p gaming, and possibly 1440p in some super-optimized AAA games.
Since the RTX 2070 is fairly old, finding the right CPUs for it isn’t easy, as there’s limited information available. To help, we’ve curated a list of the best CPUs for the RTX 2070 in 2025. Our list includes offerings from both the red and blue teams, catering to a wide audience. Whether you’re looking for the best overall CPU or want a CPU that works with your future GPU upgrade plan, we’ve got you covered. Without further delay, here are the best CPUs for the RTX 2070.
Products at a Glance
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Best Overall CPU for the RTX 2070
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Speed: 3.7GHz/ 4.6GHz
- Core (Threads): 6/12
- Socket: AM4
- TDP: 65W
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Best Intel CPU for the RTX 2070
Intel Core i5-13600K
- Core configuration: 14
- Threads: 20
- Base core speed: 3.5 GHz (P-core) / 2.6 GHz (E-core)
- Boost core speed: 5.1 GHz (P-core) / 3.9 GHz (E-core)
- DDR5 support: 5600 MT/s
- TDP / PPT: 125 W / 181 W
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Best High-end CPU for RTX 2070AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Speed: 3.7GHz/ 4.8GHz
- Core (Threads): 12/24
- Socket: AM4
- TDP: 105W
How we picked
Picking the best processor for the RTX 2070 boils down to testing various CPUs and selecting those that perfectly balance performance with minimal to no bottleneck issues. WePC professionals conducted thorough tests on each processor to evaluate its real-world performance and determine which one pairs best with this GPU. Since there are plenty of options to choose from, we wanted to offer our readers the opportunity to select powerful yet well-balanced CPUs that complement the capabilities of the RTX 2070, ensuring no FPS drops or inefficiencies in GPU utilization.
That said, we only recommend products that have been tested by us or reviewed by trusted and reputable third-party sources that highlight both the positives and negatives. In addition to performance testing, we thoroughly examined the specifications and technical details of these CPUs, along with user reviews, to get an honest perspective on how these processors perform in everyday use. If you’re interested in learning more about our testing process, check out our dedicated page on how we test CPUs.
- Speed: 3.7GHz/ 4.6GHz
- Core (Threads): 6/12
- Socket: AM4
- TDP: 65W
- Unlocked?: Yes
- PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0
- Total L2 Cache: 3MB
- Total L3 Cache: 32MB
- CMOS: TSMC 7nm FinFET
- Max Temps: 95°C
- Great value for money
- Offers a great pair with the RTX 2070
- Power-efficient
- Doesn’t have an iGPU
The Ryzen 5 5600X is one of, if not the best, price-to-performance CPUs to come from AMD’s vault. Its respectable 6-core, 12-thread configuration means it’s proficient in more than just gaming workloads; it can also handle some light workstation tasks. Additionally, it comes with a max core speed of 4.6GHz and is quite efficient as well, with a 65W TDP, making it a great choice for those with a smaller power supply or those conscious of power consumption.
Just as the specs are impressive, its real-world performance is equally excellent. In our review of the 5600X, we gave it 4.5 stars out of 5, thanks to its excellent gaming performance and ability to hold its own in workload scenarios as well. During our gaming benchmarks, the Ryzen 5 5600X achieved solid scores, averaging around 140+ FPS on modern AAA titles like Battlefield V, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring. Competitive titles like CSGO also didn’t put much of a dent in its performance, with more than 300+ FPS. As for synthetic benchmarks, the 5600X was almost on par with the 12400F, which, if you don’t know, is technically a generation ahead of the 5600X.
The 5600X can power through games at an incredible pace, and still offer more than enough processing power to see you through some light workstation applications.
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Judging by its impressive performance numbers, it’s safe to say that the 5600X is a solid pick to pair with the RTX 2070, as both will complement each other’s performance and create a perfectly balanced gaming setup. We dubbed the 5600X the best overall CPU for the RTX 2070 because this combination avoids bottlenecks, which, if you’re unfamiliar with the term, means that one component (either the GPU or CPU) isn’t being fully utilized due to the other being more powerful, causing potential performance issues. That said, pricing for this CPU was another factor that made us give it the top choice. At $120, this CPU excels in virtually all areas while maintaining a very reasonable price.
What users say
Over at Amazon, the Ryzen 5 5600X has garnered quite a bit of attention, boasting a 4.8-star rating, over 26,000 reviews with 90% leaving 5-star ratings, and more than 10,000 units sold in just the past month. Buyers are incredibly satisfied with what it brings to the table, with one gamer saying, “Serving me well for all my gaming needs!”
- Cores: 14
- Threads: 20
- Base speed: P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz
- Boost speed: P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz
- Cache: 20MB
- TDP: 125 W / 181 W boost.
- High core count
- Offers high base and boost speeds for an entry level GPU
- Backwards compatible with 12th gen motherboards
- Overkill for the RTX 2070
- Overclockers will need to get an aftermarket CPU cooler
While the Intel 13600K might be an overkill option for the RTX 2070, it stands out as one of the best value-for-money processors in Intel’s 13th-gen lineup, offering solid gaming performance. Pairing this processor with the RTX 2070 can work efficiently, but we wouldn’t recommend sticking with this combination long-term. Instead, the 13600K is a great choice if a GPU upgrade is already in your plans.
Specification-wise, the i5-13600K comes equipped with 14 cores (6 Performance cores and 8 Efficiency cores) and 20 threads. To handle demanding gaming and creative workloads, it features a Max Turbo Frequency of 5.1 GHz and 24MB of L3 cache. In terms of power efficiency, we’d rate it as decent. While the default TDP of 125 W is reasonable, it can spike to 181 W under heavy load when frequencies are pushed, which may require investing in a robust CPU cooler.
The i5-13600K is a phenomenal CPU with a lot to prove, the CPU dominates in single-threaded workloads, and it has a full 20 threads to back it up when you want to do some multi-core-based workloads.
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Do these numbers translate well into real-world performance? Yes, they do. When we reviewed the Core i5-13600K, it achieved a perfect score of 5 out of 5, absolutely impressing us in both gaming and synthetic benchmarks, especially for its price point. For context, in demanding modern AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, it delivered 179 FPS and 162 FPS, respectively. Comparing these results with the Ryzen 9 7900X, the 13600K frequently outperformed it by an average of 5 FPS in gaming benchmarks. For those who dabble in light creative workloads, the 13600K also shines. In CPU-Z, it scored 830 points in the single-core benchmark and 9,846 points in the multi-core benchmark.
While you won’t encounter significant bottlenecks when pairing the 13600K with the RTX 2070, we still recommend upgrading for a more balanced build. This way, you’ll have a powerful gaming rig that can keep you in the gaming loop for years to come. And the best part is that, if you already have a 600 series motherboard from the last generation and some DDR5 RAM, you won’t even need to upgrade those and can use all of those savings towards your GPU upgrade. If the 13600K ticks all the right boxes for you, now’s a great time to grab it with an irresistible $133 Christmas discount currently live on Amazon.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, the Core i5-13600K has impressed buyers and established itself as a fantastic CPU for gaming. It holds a strong 4.7-star rating, with an impressive 89% of reviews awarding it 5 stars. In fact, one top review describes the 13600K as “The Perfect Powerhouse for Work and Play.”
- Speed: 3.7GHz/ 4.8GHz
- Core (Threads): 12/24
- Socket: AM4
- TDP: 105W
- Unlocked?: Yes
- PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0
- Total L2 Cache: 6MB
- Total L3 Cache: 64MB
- CMOS: TSMC 7nm FinFET
- Max Temps: 90°C
- Powerful gaming processor
- High multicore performance
- Unlocked overclocking
- Requires an aftermarket CPU cooler
The Ryzen 9 5900X was released back in 2020, but even today, it can be considered one of the best CPUs from AMD’s 5000 series, offering excellent gaming performance and tackling heavy creative workloads with ease. In terms of specifications, the 5900X comes with 12 cores, 24 threads, and a total L3 cache of 64MB. Additionally, it features a base clock speed of 3.7GHz and a maximum boost clock of 4.8GHz, resulting in powerful performance across a variety of use cases.
Performance-wise, the 5900X impressed us with its results when we put it through both synthetic and gaming benchmarks in our detailed review. During synthetic benchmarking, it achieved a single-core score of 1,523 and a multi-core score of 20,479, which is almost on par with Intel’s i7-12700F which scored 20,525 in the multi-core test. Gamers will be just as, if not more, impressed with the performance, as it delivered solid frame rates across several titles like Far Cry 6, Starfield, and CS2, achieving 147 FPS, 154 FPS, and a staggering 383 FPS, respectively.
The Ryzen 9 5900X comes with an impressive array of specifications when you consider that the CPU has been around for almost 4 years now.
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We have put the 5900X as a high-end CPU for the RTX 2070, and its specifications and performance should give you an idea of why we did that. Just like the 13600K, the 5900X is an overkill option and quite a powerful CPU to pair with a GPU like the RTX 2070. However, if you’re looking for a future-proof processor, this could be a great choice. Once you save up more, you can upgrade your GPU, and you will have a solid mid-range gaming PC that can run all your favorite games maxed out at 1080p without issues.
What users say
The Ryzen 9 5900X has received an overwhelmingly positive response on Amazon, with a stellar 4.7-star rating, backed by over 12,000 reviews, and an impressive 3,000 units sold in just the past month. Reviews are filled with praise, with one standout reviewer simply saying, “Wow!”—a testament to how its performance has left buyers speechless.
Things to consider
1. Avoid bottleneck issues
One of the most important factors to consider is whether the CPU you choose can handle the GPU you plan to pair it with, or vice versa. This is crucial because an imbalance between the GPU and CPU can prevent you from fully utilizing your components, leading to FPS drops and performance issues. While you can opt for a more powerful CPU if you have a future GPU upgrade in mind, avoid doing the opposite, as that would cause significant bottlenecks.
2. Your expected level of gaming performance
Another important factor is the level of gaming performance you are expecting from your build. For instance, the RTX 2070 is better suited for 1080p gaming at high settings. However, if you want to game at 1440p, it won’t be able to deliver the absolute best performance, and you’ll likely end up lowering the graphics settings. So, make sure to choose a CPU that complements the 1080p capabilities of the RTX 2070 and can easily handle demanding titles at your preferred resolution.
3. Have a clear budget in mind
One final factor to consider is how much you can spend on your CPU upgrade while staying within your budget. While you want a CPU that offers great performance, you also don’t want to spend too much if you are on a tight budget. Hence, try to set a budget to limit your options and choose the one that best fits your needs and requirements.
Final Word
Since the CPU and GPU are two of the most important factors in achieving the best gaming performance, it makes sense to spend some time figuring out what works best for your needs and requirements. For the RTX 2070, we’ve provided a few good options that not only include the best pick but also offer choices for those planning a future GPU upgrade who want to get a powerful CPU by taking advantage of Amazon’s Christmas discounts. That said, our guide covers everything you need to know to help you pick the best CPU for this graphics card. If you’re still unsure, we suggest going over the factors to consider again, taking note of your requirements, and choosing the one that fulfills all of them with ease.
