6 BEST CPU For RX 7800 XT [Tested With Benchmarks]

The Radeon RX 7800 XT is one of the best 1440p graphics cards, providing unparalleled gaming performance and modern features at a reasonable price point. Once you have secured your RX 7800 XT variant of choice, the next step is to combine it with an equally powerful CPU that will allow the graphics card to showcase its full potential.

Here’s a quick look at our selected CPUs for RX 7800 XT and a brief comparison of their specs:

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Last Updated:

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• July 10, 2024: We have included our test results to show the comparison between top picks.

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Best CPU For RX 7800 XT

Here is a selection of the best CPUs for RX 7800 XT that you can buy right now:

1. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
2. Intel Core i7 13700K
3. Intel Core i5 13600K
4. AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
5. AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
6. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Best AMD CPU For RX 7800 XT

Socket: AMD AM5 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 8MB | Base Clock: 4.2 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.0 GHz | TDP: 120W | Unlocked: No

Performance: AMD’s implementation of the 3D V-Cache technology has propelled the Red Team to the top of gaming performance charts for a while now, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is no different. Based on the new Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is packed with 8 cores and 16 threads, with a boost clock of up to 5.0 GHz. Coupled with the excessive amounts of L3 cache, the sky-high boost clock allows the Ryzen 7 7800X3D to deliver outstanding single-threaded performance when paired with the Radeon RX 7800 XT.

Cooling: With a reasonable TDP rating of 120W, AMD has positioned the Ryzen 7 7800X3D as a mid-range performer in terms of temperatures and power draw. During the course of my testing, my sample of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D peaked at around 84C during an all-core stress test while being cooled by a Noctua NH-U12S. While gaming, the cores are engaged in a variable manner, and the temperatures leveled out at around 68C. A high-quality tower cooler or a 240mm AiO liquid cooler should be the cooler of choice to be paired with this CPU, if not better.

Overclocking Potential: AMD’s X3D processors do not typically have an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, and the same holds true for the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Although the new Ryzen 7000X3D processors are better than their predecessors in their flexibility, the multiplier is still locked. You can, however, practice overclocking using Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) and Curve Optimizer (CO). Just be advised that the results may not be all that glamorous, and you may need a hefty aftermarket cooler to stabilize the temperatures.

What Makes It The Best AMD CPU For RX 7800 XT?

With 96MB of stacked L3 Cache and chart-leading single-threaded performance, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best AMD CPU for RX 7800 XT.

More for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D:

• Best Cooler for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
• Best Motherboard for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
• Best RAM for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
• Best GPU for Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Performance: 10/10	Value: 8/10
Features: 8/10	Efficiency: 9/10

Intel Core i7 13700K

Best Intel CPU For RX 7800 XT

Socket: FCLGA1700 | Cores: 16 (8P + 8E) | Threads: 24 | L2 Cache: 24MB | Base Clock: 2.5 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.4 GHz | TDP: 125W | Unlocked: Yes

Performance: The Core i7 13700K by Intel comes equipped with an impressive 16 cores in total, which are divided into 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores. This arrangement results in a combined count of 24 threads for the Core i7 13700K, establishing it as a high-performance solution suitable for both gaming and productivity tasks. Sporting an impressive boost clock of 5.4 GHz and exceptional IPC figures, the 13700K stands out as one of the fastest gaming processors currently available.

Cooling: Due to its increased power allocation and propensity for aggressive boosting, the Core i7 13700K does exhibit a tendency to generate notable heat. In my testing, the Core i7 13700K recorded a peak temperature of 75C during an all-core workload, even with the implementation of a custom liquid cooling system. Despite adhering to a 125W TDP, the latest version of Intel Turbo Boost leverages the entire power allotment to optimize performance, consequently leading to higher temperatures. It is clear that a robust 360mm AiO cooler will be imperative to effectively manage this specific CPU’s thermal demands.

Overclocking Potential: Being a K-series chip, the Core i7 13700K boasts a significant advantage in the form of its unlocked multiplier, granting the opportunity for manual overclocking. In my testing, using a VCore voltage of 1.350V, the sample I examined achieved a remarkable 5.7 GHz on the P-Cores, with the E-Cores stabilizing at 4.6 GHz. This achievement stands as an impressive feat, resulting in a notable 7% uplift in Cinebench R23 scores during the all-core testing.

What Makes It The Best Intel CPU For RX 7800 XT?

Maximizing the gaming performance of the Radeon RX 7800 XT, while providing superb overclocking potential, the Intel Core i7 13700K is the best Intel CPU for RX 7800 XT.

More for the Core i7 13700K:

• Intel Core i7-13700K Review
• Best Cooler for Intel Core i7-13700K
• Best Motherboard for Intel Core i7-13700K
• Best RAM for Intel Core i7-13700K 

Performance: 9/10	Value: 8/10
Features: 9/10	Efficiency: 7/10

Intel Core i5 13600K

Best Overall Gaming CPU For RX 7800 XT

Socket: FCLGA1700 | Cores: 14 (6P + 8E) | Threads: 20 | L2 Cache: 20MB | Base Clock: 2.6 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.1 GHz | TDP: 125W | Unlocked: Yes

Performance: The standout feature of the Core i5 13600K lies in its exceptional single-threaded performance. This is attributed to Intel’s unique core arrangement that combines P-cores and E-cores, resulting in an impressive setup of 14 cores and 20 threads for the Core i5 13600K. This arrangement effectively balances both gaming and productivity needs. Boasting an impressive boost clock of 5.1 GHz, the i5 13600K consistently ranks at the pinnacle of gaming performance charts across numerous modern titles. It, therefore, establishes itself as a dependable partner for the RX 7800 XTX.

Cooling: Even though Intel has set the Core i5 13600K’s TDP at 125W, effectively cooling this processor can present a significant challenge. Based on my testing, my Core i5 13600K unit reached its highest temperature at 76°C while running an all-core Cinebench R23 benchmark under a custom loop cooling solution. To ensure optimal cooling for the Core i5 13600K, particularly if you’re planning on overclocking, it’s advisable to consider a robust dual-tower air cooler or a 360mm AiO liquid cooler. 

Overclocking Potential: Given the Core i5 13600K’s unlocked status, users have the option to extract additional performance from this CPU through manual overclocking. It’s important to note that engaging in overclocking requires a potent CPU cooler to manage the heat generated. After some experimentation, I settled on a P-Core frequency of 5.6GHz and an E-Core frequency of 4.4GHz, coupled with a VCore voltage of 1.330V. In our testing, our sample reached temperatures of 81°C and a power draw of 192W at peak utilization.

What Makes It The Best Overall Gaming CPU For RX 7800 XT?

Since it provides more than enough gaming performance for the Radeon RX 7800 XT, while having an unlocked multiplier and being quite affordable, the Intel Core i5 13600K is the best overall gaming CPU for RX 7800 XT.

More for Core i5 13600K:

• Intel Core i5-13600K Review
• Best Cooler for Intel Core i5-13600K
• Best Motherboard for Intel Core i5-13600K
• Best RAM for Intel Core i5-13600K
• Best GPU for Intel Core i5-13600K

Performance: 8/10	Value: 9/10
Features: 9/10	Efficiency: 8/10

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

Best Budget CPU For RX 7800 XT

Socket: AMD AM5 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | L2 Cache: 6MB | Base Clock: 4.7 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.3 GHz | TDP: 105W | Unlocked: Yes

Performance: AMD has outfitted the Ryzen 5 7600X with 6 cores and 12 threads, differing from the Intel competitors as all of its cores are designated as “performance” cores. The commendable boost clock of 5.3 GHz further fortifies the Ryzen 5 7600X’s capabilities, translating into exceptional single-threaded performance across many of the modern gaming titles. Built upon the fresh Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 5 7600X introduces notable enhancements in terms of instructions per clock (IPC) and efficiency in performance-per-watt metrics. 

Cooling: AMD specifies a TDP of 105W for the Ryzen 5 7600X, providing the CPU with a reasonable power allocation for boosting its performance. In my test results using the Noctua NH-U14S cooler, the Ryzen 5 7600X reached a peak temperature of around 72°C during gaming sessions. Therefore, the thermal requirements of the Ryzen 5 7600X are quite moderate, allowing for effective use with a decent AM5 air cooler or a 240mm AiO liquid cooler. However, when subjected to a multi-core stress test at stock clocks, the temperatures escalated to nearly 82°C.

Overclocking Potential: AMD holds a notable edge by offering unlocked multipliers across their entire lineup of mainstream desktop CPUs, a feature found in the Ryzen 5 7600X as well. While the overclocking capabilities of the CPU can differ from unit to unit, it’s possible to achieve worthwhile enhancements through some adjustments. Through my testing, I managed to attain an all-core overclock of 5.3 GHz at 1.29V, resulting in favorable improvements in both overall performance and gaming-related temperatures. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep in mind that you might need one of the best CPU coolers when venturing into manual overclocking.

What Makes It The Best Budget CPU For RX 7800 XT?

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is the best budget CPU for RX 7800 XT due to its ability to maximize the gaming performance of the Radeon RX 7800XT while being efficient and affordable.

More for Ryzen 5 7600X:

• Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 5 7600X
• Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5 7600X
• Best RAM for Ryzen 5 7600X
• Best GPU for Ryzen 5 7600X

Performance: 8/10	Value: 10/10
Features: 9/10	Efficiency: 10/10

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D

Best High-End CPU For RX 7800 XT

Socket: AMD AM5 | Cores: 16 | Threads: 32 | L2 Cache: 16MB | Base Clock: 4.2 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.7 GHz | TDP: 120W | Unlocked: No

Performance: The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D aims to deliver the best of both worlds by combining unparalleled productivity performance with industry-leading single-threaded performance. To achieve the latter, AMD has used the innovative 3D V-Cache technology to minimize latency and improve gaming performance. Along with a whopping 16 cores and 32 threads, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D can boost up to a sky-high 5.7 GHz, leaving no room for compromise. Delivering unmatched performance in both single-core and multi-core applications, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the ultimate high-end pairing for the RX 7800 XT.

Cooling: With extraordinary performance comes high thermal output, and the Ryzen 9 7950X3D succumbs to the same trend. Although AMD labels the Ryzen 9 7950X3D with a 120W TDP, it does have the tendency to output a lot of heat due to its aggressive boosting behavior. In my testing with a Noctua NH-U14S, my Ryzen 9 7950X3D sample peaked at around 88C when put under an all-core stress test, while the temperature stabilized at around 71C during a regular gaming benchmark. These numbers are relatively reasonable for a CPU as powerful as the Ryzen 9 7950X3D but necessitate the use of a high-end 360mm AiO liquid cooler.

Overclocking Potential: Once again, we hit the roadblock of a locked multiplier when discussing the overclocking potential of a Ryzen X3D chip. Although you can still play around with the frequency response using Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) and Curve Optimizer (CO), the multiplier remains locked. This limits the mainstream overclocking potential of the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, but thankfully, the CPU remains extremely powerful even at stock settings.

What Makes It The Best High-End CPU For RX 7800 XT?

Thanks to its high core count and 3D V-Cache technology, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the ultimate gaming and productivity partner for the Radeon RX 7800 XT, making it the best high-end CPU for RX 7800 XT.

More for Ryzen 9 7950X3D:

• Best Motherboard for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
• Best RAM for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
• Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
• Best GPU for Ryzen 9 7950X3D

Performance: 10/10	Value: 7/10
Features: 10/10	Efficiency: 7/10

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Best Value CPU For RX 7800 XT

Socket: AMD AM4 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 4MB | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.5 GHz | TDP: 105W | Unlocked: No

Performance: The Zen 3 architecture brought forth massive improvements in core layout and reduced latency that propelled the Ryzen 5000 series CPUs to the top of gaming performance charts. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D adds the twist of 3D V-Cache on an already well-established architecture, further improving its overall standing. With 8 cores and 16 threads boosting up to a respectable 4.5 GHz, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is still one of the fastest gaming processors on the market, thanks to its exceptional single-threaded performance.

Cooling: AMD labels the Ryzen 7 5800X3D as a mid-range CPU in terms of thermal output, as evidenced by its 105W TDP. In real-life scenarios, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D performs admirably in terms of temperatures and cooling demands. In my testing, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D peaked at around 79C under an all-core stress test while being cooled by a Noctua NH-U12S. This result showcases the reasonable thermal output of the Ryzen CPU in most scenarios. One should look for a high-end air cooler or a 240mm AiO water cooler at the least to keep the Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s temperatures under control.

Overclocking Potential: Alas, overclocking the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is not possible. AMD’s X3D processors have a locked multiplier, which is why they cannot be overclocked using traditional means. Unlike the aforementioned Ryzen 7000 series processors, however, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D also cannot be overclocked using Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) or Curve Optimizer (CO) techniques. Luckily, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D delivers excellent gaming performance even at stock settings, minimizing the need for manual overclocking.

What Makes It The Best Value CPU For RX 7800 XT?

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the best value CPU for RX 7800 XT, since it provides tremendous value for money thanks to its affordable price point, inexpensive motherboard options, and support for DDR4 memory, along with respectable gaming performance.

More For Ryzen 7 5800X3D:

• Best Cooler for Ryzen 7 5800X3D
• Best Motherboard for Ryzen 7 5800X3D
• Best RAM for Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Performance: 8/10	Value: 10/10
Features: 7/10	Efficiency: 8/10

Our Tested Benchmarks

We also tested these CPUs to make sure they offer the right performance to complement the 7800 XT truly. Take a look at our results:

Important CPU Key Terms

When shopping for a CPU, here are some terms to keep in mind.

• Clock Speed: The rate at which a CPU’s internal clock generates pulses, determining the number of instructions it can execute per second.
• Core: An independent processing unit within a CPU that can execute instructions, allowing for parallel processing and improved multitasking.
• Multithreading: A technique where a single CPU core can handle multiple threads simultaneously, improving overall performance and responsiveness.
• Cache: High-speed memory located close to the CPU that stores frequently accessed data, reducing the need to fetch data from slower main memory.
• Microarchitecture: The internal design and organization of a CPU, including how its components like registers, pipelines, and execution units are structured.
• Overclocking: The practice of increasing a CPU’s clock speed beyond its official specifications to achieve higher performance, often at the cost of increased heat and power consumption.
• TDP (Thermal Design Power): The maximum amount of heat generated by a CPU that the cooling system must dissipate under typical workloads.
• IPC (Instructions Per Cycle): A measure of a CPU’s efficiency, indicating the average number of instructions executed in a single clock cycle, reflecting its ability to process instructions quickly and effectively.

How We Picked The Best CPU For RX 7800 XT

When choosing the best CPU for RX 7800 XT, it is important to consider various factors that can impact your gaming and computing experience down the line. Following are some of the key points that I considered when making my selection of the best CPUs mentioned above.

• Gaming Performance: Look for a CPU that can keep up with the graphics card’s capabilities, ensuring that your system doesn’t experience any bottlenecks that might hinder gaming experiences.
• Efficiency: Opting for CPUs that incorporate effective power management and possess lower thermal design power (TDP) ratings can be a smart choice in order to guarantee efficient power usage, decreased temperatures, and a dependable gaming experience.
• Overclocking: Unlocked CPUs can be pushed beyond their stock clock speeds, potentially enhancing gaming experiences. However, keep in mind that this may also impact power consumption and heat output, so proper cooling solutions are necessary.
• Platform: One should also consider the platform of their preferred CPU before finalizing the purchase decision. Nowadays, CPU platforms (also known as chipsets) can only support one or two generations of a particular CPU before they are retired. This means that the motherboard may need to be changed with subsequent upgrades, which is a key point when planning for the future.
• Value For Money: Consider your budget and the performance gains you’ll actually experience in real-world gaming scenarios. With the RX 7800 XT, there are several mid-range and budget CPUs that can also provide great gaming performance at an affordable price.