AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
Pros
Very good gaming performance
AM4 compatible
Excellent value for money
Unlocked overclocking
Cons
More expensive than Intel alternative
Requires CPU cooler
Shop on Amazon
CHECK PRICEBest CPU for RX 6950 XT in 2024 – our top CPU pairs for the RX 6950 XT
Looking for a CPU for the 6950 XT? Look no further.
Updated: Feb 20, 2024 3:33 pm
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Table of Contents
The RX 6950 XT is a little more powerful than its younger brother, the 6900 XT, and today we’re going to look for the best CPU for RX 6950XT. Giving it a little bit more of an edge in 4K gaming, the 6950 XT isn’t really a 4K GPU per se, but it is a powerhouse at 1440P. However, with software like FSR, you can achieve good results in 4K without much problem. With all this power, we need a good CPU to support the 6950 XT. Two quick suggestions include the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel Core i7-13700K.
All GPUs, no matter how powerful, need a CPU behind them, pushing all the data that the GPU needs to process toward the GPU. That’s why we’re here today, to find you an ideal CPU to pair with the 6950 XT. We’ve got a great selection to choose from, and we keep this very page updated as much as we can.
What is the best CPU for RX 6950 XT in 2024
The best CPU for the RX 6950 XT has to be the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. The CPU’s solid gaming performance and bang for the buck won’t let you down, and prove to be the optimum pairing with the 6950 XT. However, if that does not tickle your fancy, there’s a solid selection to talk about today. We’ll of course be starting with the very best. The RX 6950 XT is a high-end card, so expect some equally powerful processors. We talk budget picks further down the page if you prefer that too. Without further delay, here’s the best CPU for RX 6950 XT.
Best CPU cooler for RX 6950XT – Ryzen 7 7800X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores:
8
Thread:
16
Boost speed:
5.0GHz
Cache:
96MB
TDP:
120W
Pros
- Excellent option for top-tier gaming performance
- 5.0GHz boost clock speed
- Solid value for money
- On the latest AM5 socket
Cons
- Less focused on high-end workloads
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best CPU for the job, perfect for 4K gaming thanks to its efficiency and power. The X3D line-up from AMD provides a stacked V-Cache design which makes it more capable for tasks such as gaming – which is exactly why we suggest this for high-end gaming. Sure, you can go with the even more impressed 7950X3D, though this is reaching super pricey, overkill levels.
The 7800X3D has a very respectable 8-Cores and 16-Threads, making it a formidable force to contend with in multi-core workloads. The gaming performance lends its hand to the 5.0GHz max core boost speed as well as that aforementioned V-Cache. A CPU’s max core speed can have a huge effect on how that CPU will perform in-game. Exactly why we prefer faster core speeds when gaming.
The 7800X3D does have a TDP of 120W, which is a bit higher than the lower-end Ryzen 7000 series CPUs, however, it still manages to be incredibly powerful for the amount of power it consumes. The 7800X3D causes very little bottleneck with the 6950 XT in 4K. This is why, with FSR and other technologies, the 6950 XT qualifies as a 4K GPU.
Runner up CPU cooler for RX 6950XT – Intel Core i7-13700K
Intel Core i7-13700K
Cores
16
Threads
24
Base speed
P-cores 3.4 GHz / E-cores 2.5 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.4 GHz / E-cores 4.2 GHz
Cache
24MB
TDP
125 W / 253 W boost.
Pros
- 16 cores/24 threads makes for easy multitasking
- 5.4GHz boost clock speed
- On the latest LGA 1700 socket
- Integrated graphics to fall back on
Cons
- Runs hot under heavy workloads
Even though we’re talking about catering for an AMD card in the RX 6950 XT here, there’s no reason why we’d leave out Intel from the discussion. Although you miss out on certain features like AMD Smart Access Memory (SAM), this isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Intel delivers as always, and the 13th gen is a great place to be in if you’re looking to upgrade – given that the 14th gen didn’t offer too much of an upgrade and even sticks to the same LGA 1700 socket. Especially since you’re more likely to find a deal on the older 13th gen now.
With Intel’s split efficiency and performance cores, it makes for an impressive total of 16 cores and 24 threads. That means this processor is excellent for multitasking, even though it’s within the mid-high range compared to the truly high-end. A performance core boost clock speed up to 5.4GHz makes this CPU a beast and an ideal option for anyone who wants to stick to an Intel motherboard.
Most powerful CPU cooler for RX 6950XT – AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
Cores
16
Threads
32
Base Speed
4.5GHz
Boost Speed
5.7GHz
Cache
64MB
Socket
AM5
Pros
- Up to 5.7GHz boost clock speed
- 16 cores/32 threads – a powerhouse for work & gaming
- Latest AM5 platform will be supported for some time
- Best all-round Ryzen CPU right now
Cons
- Expensive option
If you want pretty much the best of the best these days, then this high-end Ryzen 9 option is an enthusiast pick. The Ryzen 9 7950X is excellent for gaming and any CPU-intensive workload you throw at it. Whether that be plenty of rendering, streaming, video editing, or whatever else. Gaming is of course a breeze and the rapid 5.7GHz boost clock speed plays a good part in this. While you don’t get the stacked 3D V-Cache like the X3D variants, you won’t be let down by the 7950X.
No surprise to see that it’s a pricey option, but we had to include it if you want a high-end GPU like this. If you’re doing more than just gaming, then this processor is hard to beat. The 7000 series of Radeon GPUs are here too, and this CPU is more than capable of handling the likes of the 7900 XT or 7900 XTX.
The best budget CPU for the 6950 XT
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
Shop on Amazon
CHECK PRICEIf you want a solid budget option, we recommend dropping down to the Ryzen 5000 series. Specifically, the 5800X is what we’d recommend going for before the bottleneck starts to outweigh the money you’d save getting a lesser CPU or you could opt for the 5800X3D for that extra gaming boost. The 5800X is cheap enough now thanks to the launch of the 7000 series CPUs, especially if you find it on the deal to fit inside your budget. And from what we’ve seen this year, it’s pretty hard to miss out on 5000 series deals. Upgrading to the 7000 series also means upgrading to AM5, so that’s an additional cost to worry about.
The only step lower than this we’d consider would be the 5600X, mostly in part thanks to its excellent efficiency with a super low 65W TDP. Depending on your resolution and game(s) of choice, it may suffer from bottlenecking, but it’s solid enough to support the RX 6950 XT. Again, you can pick up this 5000-series CPU for cheap these days.
FAQs
Do I need a powerful CPU for the RX 6950 XT?
It may come of no surprise to you that the RX 6950 XT is a high-end GPU – the flagship of the 6000 series. That means a powerful CPU is recommended to go alongside it. However, you can drop down a little if you want to cut costs – we explain how.
Will 5800X bottleneck RX 6950 XT?
The 5800X is suitable enough for the RX 6950 XT without causing any bad bottlenecks. We’d go for something better for future-proofing, but the 5800X is now an excellent value option if you’re watching your pennies. Alternatively, the 5800X3D is even better for a gaming-focused build.
Final word
The Ryzen 7 5800X is the CPU to pair with the 6950 XT if you’re on somewhat of a budget, or the 5800X3D to push the gaming power. However, we can now recommend the likes the 7000 series if you want a seriously future-proof option. Costs are slowly reducing if you want to make the jump to AM5. For those of you sticking with Intel, the i7-13700K remains a solid option, especially with the newer 14th gen not really adding too much to the table.
