AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Pros
Set to out-perform the 10600K
Great value for money
Unlocked overclocking
Cons
Slightly more expensive than what we’re used to from AMDs midrange offering
Requires CPU cooler
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CHECK PRICEBest CPU for RX 5700 XT in 2024 – AMD and Intel CPUs included
The best CPUs to pair with your RX 5700 XT
Updated: Feb 16, 2024 11:30 am
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Table of Contents
Today’s agenda is figuring out the best CPU for RX 5700 XT. We reviewed the RX 5700 XT some time ago now, but it’s still one of AMD’s best and most efficient 1080p GPUs. This GPU was purpose-built to bring you the best performance in 1080p for as little money as possible, and it’s not terrible for 1440p either. While the Radeon 6000 or 7000 series may be preferred by now, anyone still rocking a 5700 XT will want to know what CPU is best to pair with it when upgrading. We’d first start by suggesting either the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel 12600KF, but there’s more to consider – and we keep top picks updated as much as we can.
Every GPU, no matter how powerful, needs a CPU behind it telling it what information to process and when. That’s why it’s essential to get a CPU and GPU that complement each other and work together in synergy. Without one bottlenecking the other. We think we have just the CPU. Let’s get into the best CPU for RX 5700 XT without further delay. If you’re looking for something less powerful, you can check out our best CPU for RX 5600 XT.
If you don’t have time to read the full article, we have selected the Ryzen 7 7800X3D as the best CPU for the RX 5700 XT. This is thanks to its affordability, performance in games, and it’s future-proofing potential.
What is the best CPU for RX 5700 XT in 2024
Now you’ve seen our top selection, it’s time to talk about them in more detail. All of the processors we’ve picked out pair well with the RX 5700 XT but why have we chosen like we have? We need a CPU that can comfortably support a GPU rendering at 1080p, which in this day and age is a pretty easy accomplishment. It’d also be ideal to pick up a processor that added a decent amount of future-proofing to our system, so we don’t have to worry about heavy upgrades further down the line.
Best CPU for RX 5700 XT – Ryzen 7 7800X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores:
8
Thread:
16
Boost speed:
5.0GHz
Cache:
96MB
TDP:
120W
Pros
- Top-tier gaming performance with stacked V-Cache
- Solid value for money
- 8 cores / 16 threads
- Built for latest AM5 motherboards – future proof
Cons
- Runs hotter than 5600X
The 7800X3D is our number-one pick if you want excellent gaming performance and a future-proof option that will last you a good number of years. While the 5600X does indeed offer excellent value for money, here we’re jumping up to the next desktop generation: the 7000 series. We recommend checking out the 7600X too if you’re interested in a more modest option from that range. Upgrading to the 7000 series means that you’ll need to move on to an AM5 motherboard if you aren’t already, which does come with additional cost.
One of the standout features of this processor is of course the 3D Cache, which provides more room for storing and accessing information quickly. This is a valuable resource for tasks such as gaming, which is why we deem this the best pick for gamers. It’s a future-proof option too, as AMD is committed to supporting AM5 until 2025 at the very least. If it’s anything like AM4’s support though, then it could be a few years longer.
Overall, it’s hard to find a better CPU for gaming unless you go for the Ryzen 9 X3D CPUs – and at that point, it’s overkill for a 1080p card like the 5700XT. Eight cores are great if you’ll be multitasking daily, and the 5.0GHz boost speed makes for smooth gaming a
Runner-up CPU for RX 5700 XT – Intel Core i5-12600KF
Intel Core i5-12600KF
Boost clock speed (single core)
4.9 GHz
Total Cores / Threads
10/16
P-cores
6
E-cores
4
Socket
LGA 1700
Overclockable
Yes
Pros
- Plenty of cores for easy multitasking
- Overclockable
- Fits the popular LGA 1700 socket
- Up to 4.9GHz single core boost clock
Cons
- Less efficient than 5600X
If you’re instead working with an Intel motherboard, then you’ll need an Intel processor to pair with your RX 5700 XT. The good news is that we’ve got just one. The 12600KF isn’t part of the newest generation, as it has since passed by the 13th and 14th gen Intel processors, but it fits into the same LGA 1700 socket. The best part is that you can grab this processor at a massive discount these days, and this CPU has more than enough power to cater to your graphics card, with minimal bottlenecking.
This CPU offers more than the 5600X, with a slightly higher boost clock speed and more cores to work with, perhaps as you’d expect from Intel. More cores (and threads) means easier handling of multitasking, while its single-core performance is also great. While it will run hotter due to a higher TDP, this is not much of a problem if you have a suitable cooling solution. And you’ll need one as this CPU doesn’t come with a cooler; probably for the best though, as Intel’s stock coolers are nothing to shout about.
Overall, it’s hard to find a CPU that is better value for money if you’re sticking with Team Blue. For both gaming and work. Pretty good for future-proofing too as it will work with DDR5 motherboards.
Best budget CPU for RX 5700 XT – AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Speed
3.7GHz/ 4.6GHz
Core (Threads)
6/12
Socket
AM4
TDP
65W
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- 6 cores / 12 threads good for gaming and average workloads
- Highly efficient and runs cool
- Comes with stock cooler
Cons
- Not on latest AM5 platform
The 5600X will do wonders paired with the RX 5700 XT, as the CPU causes a 0% bottleneck, 100% of this CPU can be utilized alongside 100% of the GPU. That’s in the 1080p resolution, precisely what the RX 5700 XT was built for. The Ryzen 9 5600X is certainly up for a challenge, with 6-Cores and 12-Threads at its disposal, It can even chew through some light multicore and workstation tasks, as well as games.
Its 4.6GHz core speed ensures that the 5600X can handle gaming. A CPU’s maximum core speed directly affects the CPU’s performance in games. This is because a lot of games are still dependent on very few cores to get everything done. The Ryzen 5 5600X is probably the best on the market in terms of price-to-performance ratio it’s for this reason that we recommend it also, there isn’t really a CPU put there better, not in terms of price-to-performance.
As for compatibility, the 5600X belongs to the AM4 socket standard, and it’s for this reason that we also recommend it. There’s a lot of AM4 hardware out in the wild already, which means that second-hand parts are cheap, and you can even find a good deal on AM4 motherboards since AM5 has been released for some time.
What is the best budget CPU for RX 5700 XT?
Intel Core i5-12600KF
Pros
Powerful single core performance
Amazing multi core performance
Overclockable
Cons
No in box cooler
Still more power-hungry than Ryzen
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CHECK PRICEWe think that the Ryzen 5 5600X is one of the best CPUs you can get for the money. We don’t recommend straying too far away from the 5600X and all the efficiency and performance per dollar it brings. You can go for a lower CPU in the Ryzen lineup, but doing so will create a larger bottleneck and produce less CPU performance in other tasks. However, if you want to upgrade to a 7000 series later down the line, this will require a new motherboard. If you feel you’re better off doing it now, then you can always snag a 7600X.
The same goes for the Intel Core i5-12600KF we suggest, which can be seen as a rival to the 5600X. That being said, it does offer even better performance and is a top-tier choice for those of you on an LGA 1700 motherboard. These days we can see its price dropped well below its MSRP, offering almost unbeatable value for money. You can always upgrade to a 13th or 14th-generation CPU further down the line as you’re on the same socket.
Can CPU choice affect RX 5700 XT performance?
CPU choice can affect a GPU’s performance in games. The CPU and GPU work together in a computer system to process and render graphics, and if one component is bottlenecked, it can limit the performance of the other component.
In many games, the CPU is responsible for preparing and sending data to the GPU to be rendered. If the CPU is too slow, it can create a bottleneck that limits the amount of data that can be sent to the GPU. This can result in lower frame rates and overall performance, even if you have a high-end GPU.
Conversely, if you have a powerful CPU but a weaker GPU, the GPU may become the bottleneck in the system. In this case, the CPU may be capable of preparing and sending data to the GPU quickly, but the GPU may struggle to render the graphics at the desired frame rate or quality settings.
The extent to which CPU choice affects GPU performance in games can depend on several factors, including the specific games you play, the graphics quality settings you use, and the resolution at which you play. Some games are more CPU-intensive than others, while others may be more GPU-intensive. Similarly, higher graphics quality settings and resolutions may require more processing power from both the CPU and GPU.
FAQs
Do I need a good CPU for the RX 5700 XT?
The RX 5700 XT isn’t the most powerful GPU out there, being labeled more as a 1080p-focused card. You can run it quite easily with a more budget-focused CPU – so we’ve picked out the 5600X or i5-12600KF as two top picks which offer a good balance of price and performance with minimal bottlenecking.
Are integrated graphics better than RX 5700 XT?
No, the RX 5700 XT is a capable card which will easily outperform the integrated graphics on your CPU. Integrated graphics are good for light workloads, but their gaming potential is quite limited outside of lightweight games.
Final word
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best CPU for the job for you AMD fans. If you’re going for an Intel build though, then the i5-12600KF is extremely hard to beat in terms of price to performance – it’s even faster than the 5600X, which is our budget pick. Even if you do miss out on the marginal improvements from the likes of AMD Smart Access Memory, not a big deal at all though. The 7800X3D is future-proof for a good 3 or more years and offers advantages like PCIe Gen 5 storage support if ultra-fast storage is something you are interested in.
The price-to-performance that these CPUs offer has to be one of their main attractive qualities. Both of them make the most efficient pairing with the 5700 XT without breaking the bank, though you could consider a more modern option if you want better future-proofing.
