Best CPUs for RTX 2080 in 2025 – our top picks
Looking for the Best CPU for RTX 2080? Here are some we recommend
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
The RTX 2080 is one of Nvidia’s fan-favorite GPUs, offering solid 1440p and 4K gaming performance, so it definitely packs a punch. But with all this power, you need a good CPU to manage and feed data to this 1440p monster. Having the perfect CPU and GPU combination can help you get the most out of your components, delivering the highest frame rates at all times. On the other hand, if you don’t give it much thought and pair it with just any CPU, you’re likely to face bottleneck issues, which, in simple terms, means poor gaming performance with constant stutters and lags.
Instead, you need to find a CPU that minimizes GPU bottlenecking when gaming at 1440p. However, with so many options available, choosing the right one can be an overwhelming task. To help you, we’ve gathered some of the best processors for the RTX 2080, offering the best performance and perfectly suited to your needs, whether you’re on a tight budget or need something that keeps you covered for a while. Without further delay, here are our top picks.
Products at a Glance
-
Best Overall CPU for RTX 2080
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
- Cores: 8
- Threads: 16
- Max boost speed: 4.5GHz
- L3 Cache: 96MB (64MB 3D V-cache)
- TDP: 105W
-
Best High-end CPU for RTX 2080
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Cores:: 8
- Thread: : 16
- Boost speed: : 5.0GHz
- Cache:: 96MB
- TDP: : 120W
-
Best Budget CPU for RTX 2080
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Speed: 3.7GHz/ 4.6GHz
- Core (Threads): 6/12
- Socket: AM4
- TDP: 65W
How we picked
To select the best CPUs, we considered several factors to ensure our picks deliver high frame rates and smooth performance when paired with the RTX 2080. For this GPU, WePC professionals tested a variety of processor combinations, thoroughly monitoring the results and performance. We also ruled out any CPUs that could cause bottleneck issues or performance drops. Additionally, we ensured that our list includes a wide variety of options, so regardless of your budget or requirements, you can find a CPU that fits perfectly into your build.
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.
- Cores: 8
- Threads: 16
- Max boost speed: 4.5GHz
- L3 Cache: 96MB (64MB 3D V-cache)
- TDP: 105W
- Cores: 8
- Threads: 16
- Base clock speed: 3.4GHz
- Max boost speed: 4.5GHz
- Total L3 cache: 96MB (64MB 3D V-cache)
- Default TDP: 105W
- TSMC: 7nm FinFET
- Socket: AM4
- Memory type: DDR4
- Surpasses the 5700X and 12900K in gaming performance
- No motherboard upgrade required
- Leverages the power of X3D V-cache
- Poor multi-core performance
- Not great for productivity
If you want to game at 1440p and dabble in 4K as well, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the CPU for the job, thanks to its efficiency and power. The 5800X3D boasts 8 cores and 16 threads, along with a massive 64MB 3D V-cache that delivers unparalleled gaming performance, outperforming market competitors like the 12900K and its predecessor, the 5800X. While the 5800X3D is slightly slower on paper compared to the 5800X, it still offers strong gaming performance and has helped keep the AM4 platform relevant in 2025.
In our review of the 5800X3D, we gave it a perfect 5 out of 5-star rating, calling it “quite possibly the fastest gaming CPU.” While this claim isn’t as strong now with the release of more powerful X3D chips, it remains a significant endorsement. To give you a better idea of its power, here’s a quick look at the gaming benchmarks for this chip:
- Cyberpunk 2077: Averaged 42 FPS at 4K Ultra settings and 150 FPS at 1080p
- Days Gone: Averaged 99 FPS at 4K Max settings
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Averaged 252 FPS at 1080p
- Fortnite: Averaged 275 FPS at 1080p
- GTA V: Averaged 170 FPS at 1080p
The 5800X3D is an incredible CPU and despite it’s lower clock speed its managed to take the industry by storm.
WePC
Since this chip is heavily targeted towards gamers, its synthetic performance was not great, with the 5800X3D being outclassed in almost all synthetic benchmarks by the 12900K, with larger performance gaps. In terms of power efficiency, the 5800X3D has a TDP of 105W, which is higher than the lower-end Ryzen 5000 series CPUs. This is part of the reason it packs so much processing power. While the chip does run fairly hot, and you may need to invest in a decent aftermarket CPU cooler, its strong performance outweighs its thermal challenges. For gamers, pairing a 5800X3D with an RTX 2080 will result in solid gaming performance without any major bottleneck issues.
What users say
The 5800X3D is a favorite among gaming enthusiasts on Amazon, earning a 4.8-star rating and an impressive 91% of 5-star reviews. With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that reviewers are calling it the “Best AM4 socket gaming CPU. Period.”
- Cores:: 8
- Thread: : 16
- Boost speed: : 5.0GHz
- Cache:: 96MB
- TDP: : 120W
- More powerful than the 5800X3D
- Great for gaming enthusiasts
- Poor multi-core performance
Before the release of AMD’s latest X3D chip, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D was considered not just one of the best, but quite possibly the best gaming chip on the market, and for good reason. Thanks to its feature-packed specifications, the 7800X3D can handle any demanding gaming workload you throw at it. For starters, it features 8 cores and 16 threads, along with 64MB of AMD’s game-changing X3D technology, putting it ahead of every other chip in the market for gaming purposes. Additionally, this chip offers a high boost clock speed of 5GHz, an extra Core Complex Die, and a 15% IPC improvement over the first iteration of the X3D.
Pairing the 7800X3D with a GPU like the 2080 might be slightly overkill, and jumping to the AM5 platform could end up costing you a lot. However, if you’re looking to upgrade to a newer platform and plan to upgrade your GPU soon, going for the 7800X3D is an investment that will save you from upgrading your gaming rig for years to come. It truly is one of the best future-proof processors you can get. In terms of performance, the 7800X3D’s gaming capabilities are no joke, powering through modern AAA titles with ease. However, its synthetic performance isn’t as impressive, and for anyone who likes to switch between gaming and productivity tasks, we wouldn’t suggest going for this chip.
But if you don’t fall into this category and are simply looking for a high-end CPU for the RTX 2080 purely for gaming, this chip will more than deliver the ultimate gaming performance. Another factor that makes this chip such a good choice is that it’s reasonably well-priced, and if you’re lucky, you may find it going for less than MSRP during the upcoming Amazon Christmas sales event.
What users say
Over at Amazon, the 7800X3D holds a stellar 4.8-star rating with over 4,000 reviews, 93% of which are 5-star ratings, and 7,000 units sold just in the past month. You won’t have to scroll far to find people raving about this chip, and pretty much every review you come across will praise its power efficiency, cool operation, and fast performance!
- 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
- Best for budget conscious gamers
- Power-efficient
- Doesn’t have an iGPU
If you’re on a budget, the 5600X is one of the best price-to-performance CPUs you can pair with the RTX 2080. Despite being an entry-level processor, it delivers excellent gaming performance, and with its solid 6-core, 12-thread configuration, it can also handle some light workstation tasks. Additionally, it comes with a max core speed of 4.6GHz and a 65W TDP, making it a great power-efficient fit for any build. Pairing the 5600X with this GPU will give you a solid entry-level combo that can handle all your favorite AAA titles at 1080p and 1440p with ease.
In terms of performance, the 5600X beautifully translates its powerful specifications into impressive gaming benchmarks, averaging around 140+ FPS on modern AAA titles like Battlefield V, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring. Thanks to the processor’s support for DirectX 12 Ultimate technology, you can even boost these numbers to get maximum performance out of your rig. The 5600X’s synthetic performance surprised us in Cinebench, where it scored 1,527 points on the single-core test and 10,981 points on the multi-core test. This is particularly impressive, especially considering the 5600X is a 4-year-old chip and managed to perform on par with the 12400F, which is technically a generation ahead.
The 5600X is probably our favourite CPU of this era, simply because of what it offers for the small price you pay for it.
WePC
There’s a lot more to praise about the 5600X, and this review could go on, but if we had to sum it up in a few lines, we’d say it offers great value for money and is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a powerful yet budget-friendly CPU to pair with the RTX 2080. You won’t have to deal with bottleneck issues, won’t have to spend a ton, and won’t have to worry about playing your favorite titles at low FPS. It checks all the right boxes and does it exceptionally well.
What users say
Over at Amazon, the Ryzen 5 5600X boasts an impressive 4.8-star rating with over 26,000 reviews and has sold more than 10,000 units in the past month. If you’re planning to pick one up, you can currently take advantage of a 5% discount, bringing the price down from $124 to $117.
Things to consider
- Core count and clock speed: If you mainly play CPU-intensive titles, choose a CPU with a higher core count and faster clock speeds for smooth gaming performance. Aim for at least 6 cores and a clock speed of 3.0 GHz or higher to ensure reliable performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Cache size: The cache size significantly impacts game performance by reducing the time it takes for the CPU to access critical data. Gamers benefit from larger caches, as they enable quicker data access, leading to smoother gameplay.
- Thermal needs: Modern CPUs are more power-efficient, but they can still generate a significant amount of heat under load. Be sure to check the thermal requirements of your chosen CPU and invest in a good cooler to prevent thermal throttling, which can negatively affect performance.
- Set a budget: Before selecting the best CPU for your GPU, it’s important to set a clear budget. This will help you narrow down your options and avoid confusion from too many choices. While it’s tempting to go for the highest-performing CPU, those on a budget should balance cost with performance. Look for a CPU that complements your GPU, offering a great gaming experience without overspending.
Final Word
Choosing the best CPU for the RTX 2080 is all about finding the perfect combination that results in the least possible bottlenecking. For the majority of users, the 5800X3D will offer a powerful gaming rig with solid 1440p performance without any noticeable drops. However, if your needs and requirements are different, our list also includes options for those looking for a more future-proof choice or a budget option. So, make sure to have a clear idea of your preferred criteria to help you make a decision that truly offers the ultimate gaming performance. Remember, while the 2080 might be an older card, if you pair it with a powerful CPU, it can still get you through several more games before you’re ready to upgrade to something more powerful.
