The AMD Radeon RX 6700XT is one of the most powerful and well-equipped GPUs from AMD. Nvidia had a monopoly on ray-tracing technology for the longest time, but the AMD Radeon RX 6700XT comes with the RDNA technology that is very identical to ray-tracing. It enhances the graphics and the overall colours, mostly in games, making the user experience smoother and more immersive. However, one question that can be very confusing if you are building a new PC is “Which is the best CPU for the AMD Radeon RX 6700XT?”
Best CPU for AMD Radeon RX 6700XT
Before choosing a CPU for the said GPU, it is important to make sure that the components do not bottleneck or slow the other one down. All components need to work in sync to get the best output from the system. A powerful GPU needs a powerful CPU to run all the programs and tasks. CPU performs most of the tasks on a PC or a laptop, and the GPU only comes into play when something graphical is involved. Pairing the AMD Radeon RX 6700XT with the following processors can give you top performance. The Radeon RX 6700XT comes with 8 GB of VRAM with RDNA technology that will give you boosted performance in games, and even during video editing or content creation.
1. Intel Core i7-10700K
The first on the list is the Intel Core i7 10700K. The processor has 8 cores and 16 threads. The octa-core processor might look a little old, but it is not inefficient in doing any task. It can handle heavy tasks and programs along with smooth multitasking. If you are someone who switches between programs while using your PC, this is a good option for you. The newly launched Intel 12th Gen CPUs might look like the best option for the GPU, but they are expensive, and this processor gets every work done. It comes with a base clock frequency of 3.90GHz, and a boost clock frequency with Intel Turbo Boost Max technology 5.10GHz. The processor is unlocked and can be overclocked by the user for extracting more power and performance. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that overclocking heats up the processor, and it is best to maintain the temperatures the same.
2. Intel Core i9-10900K
The best and the most powerful processor of its generation, the Intel Core i9 10900K was one of the most popular processors when it was launched. It is still one of the most powerful processors that you can buy and complements the Radeon RX 6700XT very well. With the help of its 10 cores and 20 threads, any task feels like a knife running on butter. If you wish to experience the full potential of the Radeon RX 6700XT, then this processor is the right choice for it. The processor has a base clock of 3.70GHz and a boost clock of 5.30GHz, but the boost clock can only be achieved by using the Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology. The frequency and clock speeds can manage to run any task. Whether you are a gamer, streamer, editor, content creator, or anyone who uses heavy programs or multiple programs, this unlocked processor can handle anything. When it comes to gaming, the processor is able to handle 2K gaming as well, and you can enjoy gaming at the highest graphics settings on 1080p resolution.
3. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
The newest and the best offering in processors by AMD, the Ryzen 9 5900X is a beast when it comes to specifications and performance. The processor has 12 cores along with 24 threads for 3D modelling, 2k high-resolution gaming, 4K video editing, etc. The Ryzen 9 5900 X is the fastest 12 core processor available in the market with a base clock of 3.7GHz that can go up to 4.8 GHz on one core in turbo mode. However, when all 12 cores are loaded, up to 4.5 GHz is still possible. This processor can beat the Intel Core i9-10900K in performance. Plus, pairing a Ryzen CPU with a Radeon GPU is always better for response and performance. Not only the Intel processor, the Ryzen 9 5900X can also compete with the Threadripper 2950X. Adding this to your build can add a lot of power and performance for any task you want to perform. This CPU and GPU combination is also more than capable of running a multi-monitor setup. So if that is something you are looking for, this can be a good option.
4. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
This next processor can be a little shocker for a lot of readers mainly because of the generation it comes from. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is a good option for all users who want to experience the AMD Free Sync. The 12 cores, 24 threads processor can take up any task, or multiple tasks, thrown at it. If you are someone who likes working on multiple windows at the same time, this is the right CPU for you. Since it is a little old, the price it comes at is a little less than the processors mentioned in this list, but that does not bring any performance compromises. It comes with a base clock frequency of 3.8GHz, and a boost clock frequency of 4.6GHz. It is also a better option than the Threadripper 2920X. The Threadripper line-up consists of top-of-the-line AMD processors that are made for heavy creators. This “old” processor can give a better performance than that.
5. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
This is the only Hexa-core processor on this list, but that does not mean it is a compromise. This is the fastest 6-core Ryzen desktop CPU. It comes with 6 cores and 12 threads which gives it the capability to handle most tasks easily. Since it is an unlocked processor, you can also overclock it to juice out more performance. The base clock speed of the Ryzen 5 5600X is 3.4GHz which can boost up to a clock speed of 4.9GHz. If your priority is gaming with the Radeon RX 6700XT, this is a good processor for experiencing AMD Free Sync with RDNA technology. The prism reth cooler in the box does a good job at keeping the processor cool, but if you want to overclock it, it’s best to get an AiO.
Honourable Mentions
Apart from the above-mentioned processors, a good option would be the Intel Core i5 11400F. The processor did not get much credit, but is a good performing processor, and would bottleneck the GPU. The Ryzen 4000 series desktop CPUs did not gain a lot of popularity but those processors are good value for money and can support the Radeon GPU very well. The Ryzen 7 3700X is also a good option, but the availability is short. One thing that you need to understand is that the processors mentioned here might not be able to handle 2K gaming for longer durations. If you want to enjoy high resolution 1080p gaming, then these processors can be a good choice for you, but if you want to experience the true 2k performance, then sticking with the list is a better option. You should only consider these options if you cannot find the above-mentioned processors for the Radeon RX 6700XT.
What is the AMD Radeon RX 6700XT equivalent to?
The AMD Radeon RX 6700XT is equivalent to the Nvidia RTX 3070Ti. The performance of both GPUs is very identical and you can also see one get ahead of the other in some scenarios.
How Much Does the AMD Radeon 6700XT Cost?
The AMD Radeon RX 6700XT currently costs around $479 in the US. The price of the GPU might depend on the country you are in, and the availability of the same.
What is the AMD Radeon RX 6700XT Capable of?
The AMD Radeon RX 6700XT is a 1440p GPU which is capable of running games on 2K resolution when paired with the right CPU. It can also handle 4K video editing without any lag or stutter.
Verdict
The uses of the AMD Radeon RX 6700XT are numerous. It all comes down to what your requirement or expectations from your PC are. The processors mentioned in this list are different from each other in multiple ways, and you can make a decision based on your plans with the PC.
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