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Best CPU for RX 580 in 2024 – top processor picks for RX 580

Need a CPU for the Rx 580? Look no further.

Updated: Feb 15, 2024 9:02 am
Best CPU for RX 580 in 2024 – top processor picks for RX 580

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Ever wondered what the best CPU for the RX 580 might be? Then you’re in the right place. The RX 580 is a 1080p card by definition, we know it’s a little bit older by this point but that’s not to say it’s obsolete in any way. Picking up an older GPU can be a great way of getting an upgrade for a reasonable price. But with all that being said, we need a CPU to feed this 1080p beast, what’s the best CPU for RX 580?

We here at WePC have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the best CPU for the RX 580. We know that every GPU needs a good CPU supporting it, which helps the GPU and doesn’t bottleneck it. So we have to fish out a modern CPU that won’t hinder the RX 580 and allow for GPU upgrading later down the line. We think we have just the CPU for you today.

If you’re pressed for time, we have chosen the Ryzen 5 5600X as our best CPU for RX 580. This is the most balanced choice if you’re planning on holding onto the 580. However, you can always go a generation up to the 7600X if you want to upgrade your GPU down the line.

Best CPU for RX 580 – AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Excellent

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 1

Speed

3.7GHz/ 4.6GHz

Core (Threads)

6/12

Socket

AM4

TDP

65W

The reason we recommend this CPU is for future-proofing reasons. We realize this CPU causes a decent GPU bottleneck at 1080p, but it means the CPU allows the RX 580 to perform at its maximum potential while allowing room to upgrade the GPU in the future.

The Ryzen 5 5600X is cheap enough, especially if you find one on sale. Thanks to the release of the Ryzen 7000 series, the Ryzen 5 5600X is absolutely one of the best CPUs on the market in terms of price-to-performance ratio – well suited to the RX 580. Its respectable 6-Core and 12-Thread configuration means it’s powerful enough to handle some light workstation tasks, as well as gaming.

The 4.6GHz core speed ensures that the 5600X can handle gaming, and as we all know by now, the core boost speed is directly tied to gaming performance. This ensures you can usually predict the performance of a CPU in games just by knowing the core speed, and generation.

The Ryzen 5 5600X is also efficient, consuming just 65W of power, which is almost 200W less than some rival Flagship CPUs.

The 5600X stands on the AM4 socket standard, the most widely used motherboard type in the industry. So there are plenty of options out there for motherboards should you need to upgrade. The cost would be far less than the upgrade to AM5.

Best Intel CPU for RX 580 – Intel Core i5-12600KF

Intel Core i5-12600KF

12600F

Boost clock speed (single core)

4.9 GHz

Total Cores / Threads

10/16

P-cores

6

E-cores

4

Socket

LGA 1700

Overclockable

Yes

The i5-12600K is a strong contender in the budget gaming CPU space, it quickly became a favorite of the last generation thanks to its price-to-performance ratio, This CPU 6-core, 12-thread configuration makes it within the ideal range to pair with the RX 580. Not only that, but its blistering core speed means that the CPU is perfectly capable of gaming, even on a lower budget.

The 12600KF clocks in with a respectable core boost speed of 4.9GHz, making gaming workloads a breeze. That paired with the 20MB of Intel smart cache makes this an easy choice for the RX 580. It might seem like a bit of overkill, however, the RX 580, as good as it is, is outdated now, meaning you’re going to need to upgrade in the future. This is where the 12600KF shines, it leaves ample room to upgrade to even the most modern of GPUs.

This Intel CPU even belongs to the same socket as the 13th generation CPUs, meaning you can upgrade the 12th gen to the 13th gen with no other expenses besides the CPU itself – a big win.

Best AM5 CPU for RX 580 – AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

Excellent

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

Ryzen 5 7600X

Cores

6

Threads

12

Base speed

4.7GHz

Boost speed

5.3GHz

Cache

L3 32MB

Socket

AM5

Pros
  • Incredible single-core performance
  • Interesting IHS
  • Very power efficient
  • surpasses other CPUs with more cores
Cons
  • Hard to cool, runs very hot

The 7600X would be a good future-proofing fit for the RX 580 as its balanced mix of core count and high boost clock speeds, with 6 cores and 12 threads, would ensure efficient multitasking and strong single-core performance. This balance is important for gaming, particularly with a GPU like the RX 580, which is more mid-range and doesn’t require extreme CPU power to fully utilize its capabilities.

While the 7600X has a TDP of 105W, as stated in our Ryzen 5 7600X review, it’s still manageable with a suitable CPU cooler. The RX 580 is not a power-hungry GPU, so the 7600X’s thermal output shouldn’t pose any significant issues when paired with it. This ensures a stable and reliable system without overheating concerns.

Thirdly, the 7600X being part of the latest AM5 platform ensures compatibility with newer technologies and future upgrades. While the RX 580 is not the latest GPU, having a CPU that can accommodate potential future upgrades without needing a complete system overhaul adds longevity and versatility to your gaming setup.

Overall, the 7600X’s combination of performance, thermal efficiency, compatibility, and value makes it a suitable choice for pairing with the RX 580, if you’re upgrading your CPU first. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t recommend a pairing of this nature, this is intended to be a temporary solution while you save up for a better GPU.

Best CPU for RX 580 FAQs

Is the RX 580 a good GPU?

Yes, the RX 580 is a good graphics card, especially for gaming at 1080p resolution. It is a mid-range GPU that was released by AMD in 2017 and has since become a popular choice for gamers on a budget.

Is the 5600X a good CPU to pair with the RX 580?

The Ryzen 5 5600X is a great CPU for the RX 580. While the RX 580 is a mid-range graphics card, the Ryzen 5 5600X is a high-end CPU that can provide more than enough processing power for the RX 580 to deliver its full potential in games and other demanding applications.

The Ryzen 5 5600X is based on AMD’s latest Zen 3 architecture, has 6 cores and 12 threads, and a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz, which can boost up to 4.6 GHz. It has excellent single-core and multi-core performance, making it an ideal choice for gaming and productivity workloads.

Moreover, the Ryzen 5 5600X has PCIe 4.0 support, which can provide faster data transfer rates and reduced latency when used with a compatible motherboard. This can be particularly beneficial for high-speed storage and other peripherals.

Final Word

What is the best CPU for the RX 580 is an important question for those looking to breathe some life back into their older systems. We’re not going to pretend the RX 580 is the best GPU in the world, so if you were looking to upgrade, we wouldn’t hold it against you. We have chosen the Ryzen 5 5600X as the best CPU for the RX 580, thanks to its affordability, price-to-performance ratio, and the fact that it’s on the previous generation of AMD motherboards.

If you’re looking to upgrade your system and are starting with the CPU, we have selected the Ryzen 5 7600X as the best future-proofing CPU for the RX 580. That being said, if you go down this route, you will have to upgrade your motherboard to the AM5 platform and snag yourself some DDR5 memory to accompany it.


Jack is a Tech and News Writer who has a vast and proficient knowledge of CPUs, Motherboards, and Computer technology.

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