Best CPU for RX 6800 in 2024 – our top 3 choices

Best CPU for the RX 6800? What is it?

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If you’re after the best CPU for RX 6800 GPUs then we’ve got you covered. The RX 6800 is a machine when it comes to bringing great performance for a low price. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is targeted at 4k gaming, it sits somewhere between the 3070 and 3080 from team Nvidia. But all this power requires a great CPU to manage it. You should always bear in mind that certain combinations of components can impede the hardware efficiency, thus, it becomes imperative to identify a CPU that does not constrain the potential of the RX 6800.

Below we’ve listed the top three picks to combine with this graphics card if you’re in a rush. You can read further down this page for individual product reviews with more detailed info. Although these selections are unlikely to change any time soon as the AMD Radeon RX 6800 is no longer the latest gen, rest assured that as a general rule we strive to keep all our buying guides as up to date as possible. If you haven’t yet bought your GPU you might also find our best CPU for RX 6750 XT guide useful. Do also check out our Black Friday CPU deals hub for some of the best savings you’ll find on processors all year.

Today’s best CPU deals

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Best CPU for RX 6800 in 2024

Let’s take a look at our picks in further detail.

Best all-round CPU pick

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Speed

3.8GHz/ 4.7GHz

Core (Threads)

8/16

Socket

AM4

TDP

105W

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Pros

• Very good gaming performance
• AM4 compatible
• Excellent value for money
• Unlocked overclocking

Cons

• More expensive than Intel alternative
• Requires CPU cooler

The Ryzen 7 5800X is the best CPU for the job, it’s efficient and powerful. Making it the perfect CPU for the RX 6800. Especially when in 4K. The 5800X has very respectable 8-Cores and 16-Threads to work with, making it a monster in multi-core workloads. This CPU is a jack-of-all-trades, being able to execute workstation tasks with ease and handle some intense gaming on the side. The 5800X does both beautifully.

The gaming performance lends its hand to the 4.7GHz max core boost speed. As we all know by now, CPU core speed directly affects the performance you’ll get in games with that CPU. When paired with the RX 6800 in 4K there’s almost no bottleneck whatsoever.

The 5800X has a TDP of 105W, which is a lot higher than the lower-end Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, so it’s not as efficient in terms of power. But its “price for performance” and “performance per watt” is still quite high. This makes it a great choice CPU for any build really.

Best budget CPU for RX 6800

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Speed

3.7GHz/ 4.6GHz

Core (Threads)

6/12

Socket

AM4

TDP

65W

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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

Although the 5800X is a great choice, you could opt for the 5600X. We love this CPU and we love it for a reason. You will sacrifice some performance by opting for the 5600X, but you’ll be spending up to $120 – $220 less on your CPU.

Both CPUs belong to AMD which means you can still benefit from things like SAM that help to push more out of your GPU depending on whether or not you have an AMD CPU.

Best premium CPU pick

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

Speed

3.4GHz/ 4.9GHz

Core (Threads)

16/32

Socket

AM4

TDP

105W

How We Review

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Pros

• Very high single-core performance
• Great for gaming and workstation tasks
• Excellent overclocking potential

Cons

• High price tag
• Requires CPU cooler

If you’re seeking a more high-end processor, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a powerful match-up with the Radeon RX 6800. While it may not provide as good power/price as our top pick, it still remains more affordable than opting for the later Ryzen 6000 series, 7000 series, or 13th gen alternatives, which might be overkill for an older generation GPU like the RX 6800.

Although its single-core performance doesn’t quite match that of the top SKU in Intel’s line-up of the same generation, it still boasts significant power, and its multi-core performance is exceptional.

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Final word

We hope this brief guide has assisted you in finding the Best CPU for RX 6800 graphics cards. The Ryzen 7 5800X is a fantastic choice for the RX 6800. However, if money is an issue, you can always opt for a lesser CPU in the 5000 series, like the 5600X. You will sacrifice some performance, but you’ll save money. You’ll still have access to AMD software like SAM, it’ll just be less efficient the further down the ladder you climb.