Best CPU for RX 6700 XT in 2024 – top processor picks for gaming performance
What's the best processor for the 6700 XT? Today we find out.
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Ever wondered what the best CPU for the RX 6700 XT is? well so have we, that’s why we created this comprehensive guide using all the knowledge of CPUs and GPUs we have accumulated here at WePC. We have the knowledge and the expertise from testing thousands of different PC components to give you a solid answer to “What is the best CPU for the RX 6700 XT?“.
The best GPUs need a good system behind them to perform at their best, that much is obvious. What isn’t however, is the choice of supporting components can have a detrimental effect on the performance of your GPU. there’s a name for this, it’s called bottlenecking. Your CPU and GPU pairing is very important. We keep this article constantly up to date, accounting for the Intel 14th generation CPUs, which weren’t much to write home about according to 14th generation reviews.
If you don’t have time to spare, we recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, and the Intel Core i5-13600K as the best CPUs for the 6700 XT, they aren’t the most powerful CPUs in the world, but they match the 6700 XT perfectly, bringing almost unrivaled efficiency to the table, these CPUs will not bottleneck the 6700 XT, and keep your gameplay nice and smooth.
If you’re looking for a CPU for the 6600 XT, try out our best CPU for the 6600 XT article.
What is the best CPU for the RX 6700 XT in 2024?
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.
Best CPU for RX 6700 XT – AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X has to be the best CPU for the RX 6700 XT in 2024.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base speed
4.7GHz
Boost speed
5.3GHz
Cache
L3 32MB
Socket
AM5
- Incredible single-core performance
- Interesting IHS
- Very power efficient
- surpasses other CPUs with more cores
- Hard to cool, runs very hot
The Ryzen 5 7600X is the pinnacle of price to performance on AMD’s 7000 series platform. The CPU gives you the best bang for the buck of any in the series so far and does it all in a relatively tame 105W TDP.
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is a remarkable value CPU, making it a perfect match for the RX 6700XT. Its single-core performance competes with even the 7900X, making it ideal for gaming tasks.
The 7600X is a powerhouse of a CPU when compared to the 5600X, performing up to 34% better in Synthetic benchmarks and up to 14% better in real-world benchmarks. These are according to our results in our 7600X review. So it’ll fly in both single and multi-core workloads over the older 5600X. If you want to read our review of the Ryzen 5 7600X, you can do so here.
This CPU is undoubtedly one of the best affordable options available, offering efficiency and cost-effectiveness that allow users to allocate more money to other system components, ultimately enhancing the overall gaming experience when paired with the RX 6700XT.
Runner-up CPU for RX 6700 XT – Intel Core i5-13600K
Intel Core i5-13600K
Cores
14
Threads
20
Base speed
P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz
Cache
20MB
TDP
125 W / 181 W boost.
- High core count for an entry level CPU
- High base and boost speeds
- Efficient
- backwards compatible with 12th gen motherboards
- Runs very warm
The Intel i5-13600K is a powerful and energy-efficient CPU with 14 cores and 20 threads, running at a speedy 5GHz. What’s impressive is that it stays cool even when working hard, which shows that Intel can deliver great performance whether you’re doing light tasks or heavy-duty work.
When it comes to price and performance, the 13600K sits nicely between AMD’s 7600X and 7700X CPUs. It beats the 7600X and comes close to the 7700X, making Intel a strong contender. All this is detailed in our Core i5-13600k review, which you can read here.
The 13600K is perfect for regular gamers who want a better CPU without spending too much. It’s also good for tasks that need many cores. What sets it apart is that it balances both single-core and multi-core performance, unlike some CPUs that focus more on one or the other. In short, the 13600K is versatile and can handle a variety of tasks, making it a great match, for the RX 6700XT.
Best budget CPU for RX 6700 XT – AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Speed
3.7GHz/ 4.6GHz
Core (Threads)
6/12
Socket
AM4
TDP
65W
- Set to out-perform the 10600K
- Great value for money
- Unlocked overclocking
- Slightly more expensive than what we’re used to from AMDs midrange offering
- Requires CPU cooler
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. That’s why it’s on our list of the best gaming CPUs for the 6700XT.
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.
While the 11600K is cheaper and has better single-core performance, the 5600X is still a top choice in its price range. It even comes with a decent stock cooler, which helps you save on additional cooling costs for your PC build.
Things to consider when looking for the best CPU for the RX 6700 XT
When looking for the best CPU to pair with the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, there are several important factors to consider to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. Here are some key considerations:
- CPU Socket and Motherboard Compatibility: Ensure that the CPU you choose is compatible with your motherboard’s socket. The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT uses a PCIe x16 slot for graphics, but the CPU socket is what matters for the processor. Most modern CPUs for gaming use the AM4 socket for AMD processors or LGA 1200 for Intel processors. Ensure that your motherboard has the right 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, depending on your budget and needs.
- 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.
FAQs
Why is a CPU bottleneck bad?
A bottleneck on the CPU can negatively impact the performance of other components, such as the GPU, resulting in slow system performance, delays in load times, and poor frame rates in games. Also, a CPU bottleneck can prevent the system from handling more challenging tasks or workloads. As you can see, we must find the correct CPU and GPU pairing, to keep the system working as efficiently as possible.
A CPU or GPU bottleneck is less than ideal, it’s the equivalent of burning money. So we have chosen a CPU to prevent that from happening.
How does this differ from a GPU bottleneck?
A GPU bottleneck occurs when the graphics card is forced to work at or near its maximum capacity, causing a slowdown in performance due to a bottleneck in the flow of data. This can happen when the GPU is unable to keep up with the demands of a game or application, leading to a reduction in frame rates and slow rendering times.
To avoid a GPU bottleneck, it is important to have powerful enough GPU and system components that can keep up with the demands of the game or application you are using.
What CPUs are compatible with the RX 6700XT?
Technically speaking, almost every desktop CPU you can find will be compatible with the RX 6700XT, the main thing you want to ensure is that the motherboard has the proper hardware to support your GPU.
The main factor contributing to GPU performance is PCIe generation, The RX 6700XT runs off PCIe 4.0, so as long as your motherboard supports PCIe gen 4 or newer, you’re golden.
When we speak of CPU and GPU compatibility, we’re sometimes speaking of CPUs that may bottleneck the GPU. A CPU bottleneck would be very bad news.
Final Word
The 5600X is the ideal CPU for the 6700 XT, thanks to the low bottleneck, access to features like SAM, and the fact it’s so damn efficient. There is no better CPU for the job. We support you could go for a less Ryzen CPU generation, like the 3600X if you’re on a tight budget. But you’ll cause a larger bottleneck and a less effective SAM integration.
The game aims to build the best system and waste the least amount of performance possible. You’ll be very safe when choosing any of the CPUs offered in this article today. This was the best CPU to pair with the RX 6700XT.
