Best CPUs for RX 6700 XT in 2025 – our top picks
Our roundup of the top processors for the RX 6700 XT!
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Despite being around for almost three years now, the RX 6700 XT is still a solid graphics card for those seeking a great gaming experience on a budget. Back when we reviewed it, we were impressed by its capabilities, especially at 1440p and 4K in a few older titles. Now, in 2025, while it might struggle to run modern AAA titles in 4K, it still delivers excellent performance at 1440p and 1080p. And for those satisfied with its performance who are looking to invest in a CPU upgrade, you’re in the right place.
Choosing the right CPU and GPU combination is crucial for your gaming PC’s performance. We say this because a mismatch between these components can cause bottlenecking, meaning one of the components can’t fully utilize its potential, leading to significant performance issues. As concerning as this is, the solution only requires some time to figure out what works best with this graphics card. To help, we’ve done all the research and testing to bring you our top picks for the best CPU for the RX 6700 XT. So, without further delay, here’s a quick glance at our selected processors.
Products at a Glance
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Best Overall CPU for RX 6700 XT
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Speed: 3.7GHz/ 4.6GHz
- Core (Threads): 6/12
- Socket: AM4
- TDP: 65W
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Best latest Intel CPU for RX 6700 XTIntel Core Ultra 7 265K
- Core configuration: 20 (8+12)
- Threads: 20
- P-Core Speed: 5.4 GHz (boost) 3.9 GHz (base)
- E-Core Speed: 4.6 GHz (boost) 3.3 GHz (base)
- DDR5 support: DDR5 @ 6400 MT/s
- TDP / PL1 / PL2 / PL2 (extreme): 125W / 250W / 250W / 250W
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Best gaming CPU for RX 6700 XT
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Core configuration: 8
- Threads: 16
- Base core speed: 4.7 GHz
- Boost core speed: up to 5.2 GHz
- DDR5 support: Yes @ 5600 MT/s
- TDP / PPT: 120 W / 162 W
How we picked
The RX 6700 XT is one of the mid-range 6000 series GPUs from AMD, promising efficiency over the RTX 3070 from Nvidia. However, as with every good GPU out there, we need a fantastic, well-rounded CPU supporting it. We have selected CPUs that offer a very good price-to-performance ratio, but can also perform well when the pressure is increased. Single-core performance is imperative when opting for good gaming performance, that’s why every CPU on this list performs performance in gaming workloads.
We even went a step further and tested all of these picks in-house to ensure that the numbers we’re sharing come from real-world tests conducted by professionals. 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. 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
- Offers great value for money
- Strong single-core performance
- Efficient power usage
- Doesn’t have an iGPU
- Not the best future-proof option
The Ryzen 5000 series CPU lineup created a lot of excitement, especially for the 5600X. This CPU offers great value and performance for both gaming and work tasks. It’s an excellent choice if you want an affordable CPU that can handle AAA games smoothly, delivering over 100fps. It shouldn’t come as a surprise when we call it the best overall for the RX 6700 XT, as its solid 6-core, 12-thread configuration aligns perfectly with the capabilities of this GPU, ensuring there won’t be any bottleneck issues when playing your favorite titles.
This chip has an impressive price-to-performance ratio. It has a base speed of 4.1GHz and can boost up to 4.8GHz, which puts it in the same league as some of the better CPUs out there. It also improves by 19% in IPC (basically, how fast it can process instructions) compared to the previous 3000 series CPUs. Plus, it comes with a cooling fan that AMD says is newly designed for efficient cooling and minimal noise. Even some of the more expensive CPUs in AMD’s 5000 series don’t offer this.
The 5600X manages high FPS when paired with a decent GPU and does not disappoint. The AM4 platform is still robust and offers ample opportunity for an enjoyable gaming experience, despite it’s age.
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While the 11600K is cheaper and offers better single-core performance, the 5600X remains a top choice in its price range, and our review backs it up. Whether you’re looking at synthetic benchmarks or demanding AAA games, this chip excels, achieving scores like 10,981 points in multi-core tests, putting it on par with the 12400F. In terms of gaming, from FPS shooters to story-driven titles, the CPU didn’t hold back, managing an average FPS of 147 in both Battlefield V and Cyberpunk 2077. There’s a lot to praise about this chip, but for anyone seeking the perfect match for this GPU, there’s no better option.
What users say
Over at Amazon, the Ryzen 5 5600X boasts an impressive 4.8-star rating with over 27,000 reviews and has sold more than 6,000 units in the past month. Reviews are filled with positive praises with one reviewer saying “Serving me well for all my gaming needs!”
- Core configuration: 20 (8+12)
- Threads: 20
- P-Core Speed: 5.4 GHz (boost) 3.9 GHz (base)
- E-Core Speed: 4.6 GHz (boost) 3.3 GHz (base)
- DDR5 support: DDR5 @ 6400 MT/s
- TDP / PL1 / PL2 / PL2 (extreme): 125W / 250W / 250W / 250W
- Pretty much on par with the 9900X (multi-core performance)
- More cost effective for Multi-threaded workloads
- Strong multi-core performance
- Competitively priced
- Not as efficient as the 285K
- LGA 1851 motherboard required
- Gaming performance leaves much to be desired
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is a powerful and energy-efficient CPU with 20 cores and 20 threads, running at a speedy 5.4GHz. What’s impressive about this CPU is its multi-core performance, especially considering Intel reduced the number of threads to make the Arrow Lake processors more energy-efficient. In fact, it doesn’t just outperform other processors but also goes toe-to-toe with the 14700K while drawing less power. We recommend pairing this CPU with the RX 6700 XT for a solid, future-proof option with strong productivity capabilities for years to come. If you want to dabble in some lightweight gaming, this combination will handle that with ease as well.
riced at $404, it’s a decent option for productivity-focused users, but its gaming capabilities leave something to be desired, making it less appealing for gamers seeking top performance.
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When we reviewed the Core Ultra 7 265K, the synthetic performance was no doubt powerful, showing strong multi-core performance scores of 15,387 in CPU-Z and 33,429 in Cinebench R23, significantly outperforming the 9700X’s 8,199 and 20,184 in the same tests. However, its single-core performance is where the issue lies, attracting criticism for its gaming performance. While it offers decent gaming performance, the fact that it’s only “decent” for a $400+ chip puts it in a tough spot, especially when you can get the 7800X3D for the same price, which dominates the 265K in gaming workloads. However, not everyone needs a PC for gaming—some are more focused on multi-core performance for tasks like rendering, encoding, and other parallelized applications. For those people, this chip has a lot to offer.
What users say
Over on Amazon, the Core Ultra 7 265K has garnered a loyal following, particularly among those seeking a productivity-focused chip. The top review even describes it as a “Great productivity processor.” At the time of writing, this CPU is available at a generous 6% discount, bringing the price to just a dollar above its lowest ever.
- Core configuration: 8
- Threads: 16
- Base core speed: 4.7 GHz
- Boost core speed: up to 5.2 GHz
- DDR5 support: Yes @ 5600 MT/s
- TDP / PPT: 120 W / 162 W
- The best gaming CPU money can get
- Overclocking capabilities
- Very efficient
- Not the greatest in multi-core tasks
- Not as efficient as 7800X3D
The greatest among the latest, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is undoubtedly the best gaming CPU you can currently invest in. It is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous-gen 7800X3D, which was itself the top gaming CPU for quite some time. The fact that the 9800X3D outshines it speaks volumes about why this CPU has received such widespread acclaim. In our review, we gave it a well-deserved score of 5 out of 5 for its incredible raw performance and its ability to deliver FPS levels that players of CPU-intensive games will love. Surprisingly, despite the X3D moniker, this CPU handles productivity workloads fairly well—not quite on par with the Core Ultra 7 265K, but it holds its own.
The 9800X3D features a massive 500 MHz boost in base clock speeds and an additional 200 MHz boost clock, paired with AMD’s latest 3D V-Cache technology. This innovation reduces the gap between the cache and CPU, allowing data to travel and process faster, helping this chip excel in benchmarks. For instance, in Counter-Strike 2, it achieved a massive 601 FPS, and in Cyberpunk 2077, it delivered 331 FPS with a 99th percentile of 195 FPS, maintaining smooth performance even during intense scenes. Moreover, AMD ships the 9800X3D with an unlocked multiplier, meaning users can overclock it to push performance even further.
While it may not dominate in every multi-threaded task like some pricier competitors, the 9800X3D nails what it’s designed for—delivering top-tier gaming performance with great efficiency.
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But why pair such a powerful processor with the RX 6700 XT? This is where future-proofing comes into play. With a CPU like the 9800X3D, you won’t need to worry about upgrading your processor for several years. Considering that the 7800X3D remains a game-changing option even today, the longevity of the 9800X3D is easy to imagine. That said, moving to this CPU can be expensive for those not already on the AM5 platform, as it requires a new motherboard and DDR5 memory. If you’re leaning toward the 9800X3D, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets.
What users say
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has been in high demand on Amazon, with stocks selling out within minutes—a testament to how much gamers and tech enthusiasts appreciate its exceptional performance. The review section reflects this enthusiasm, boasting a stellar 91% 5-star ratings, with one buyer describing it as “The CPU I have been waiting for.”
Things to consider
- CPU socket and motherboard compatibility: Ensure the CPU you choose is compatible with your motherboard’s socket. While the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT uses a PCIe x16 slot for graphics, the CPU socket is what matters for the processor. Most modern gaming CPUs for AMD use the AM4 or the latest AM5 socket, while the new Intel Core Ultra series uses the LGA 1850 socket. Make sure your motherboard has the correct socket for your chosen CPU.
- CPU Performance: The CPU should not bottleneck the GPU, meaning it should be powerful enough to keep up with the performance of the RX 6700 XT. Look for a CPU with sufficient single-threaded and multi-threaded performance for your gaming and productivity needs.
- Core and Thread Count: Consider the core and thread count of the CPU, especially if you plan to use your system for tasks beyond gaming, such as content creation or video editing. Many modern games can take advantage of multiple CPU cores and threads, so having at least a quad-core, hexa-core, or octa-core CPU is recommended.
- Clock Speed: Pay attention to the CPU’s clock speed. A higher clock speed can provide better performance, especially for gaming. However, it’s not the sole factor to consider, as the architecture and IPC (Instructions Per Clock) also play a significant role.
- Thermal Design Power (TDP): Consider the TDP of the CPU. A CPU with a higher TDP may require more power and generate more heat, so ensure your system’s cooling solution can handle it. However, modern CPUs are becoming more power-efficient.
- Overclocking Support: If you’re interested in overclocking, choose a CPU that is unlocked (e.g., “K” series for Intel or “X” series for AMD). Even though most AMD CPUs are technically unlocked for overclocking. Overclocking can provide a performance boost but may require additional cooling and careful system tuning.
- Budget: Your budget is a crucial factor. High-end CPUs can be quite expensive, so it’s essential to find a CPU that balances performance with your budget constraints.
Final Word
The 5600X is the ideal CPU for the 6700 XT, thanks to its low bottleneck, access to features like SAM, and its impressive efficiency. There’s no better CPU for the job. Of course, if you’re on a tight budget, you could consider a lower Ryzen CPU generation, like the 3600X. However, this would result in a larger bottleneck and less effective SAM integration. On the other hand, if you’re looking for the best of the best, the 9800X3D is your pick. It offers a gaming performance that no other chip can beat right now. But with great power comes a hefty price, so be sure to keep that in mind. Finally, for efficiency and productivity enthusiasts, the Core Ultra 7 265K is what we recommend. It lives up to its “next-gen” hype in synthetic and efficiency areas, though gaming performance doesn’t justify the price. When building the best system and minimizing wasted performance, any of the CPUs in this article today will serve you well.
