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Best CPU For RTX 3080 Ti (Processor to Pair With RTX 3080 Ti)

Buying the best cpu for rtx 3080 ti is the first step in building a good PC, since this component is the most important in the entire computer: it is like your brain.

Fortunately, this is an excellent time to buy a best cpu for gaming either your buy For RTX 3070 Ti or RTX 3080 Ti, as the fierce competition between Intel and AMD (the major manufacturers) is making prices lower and it is more affordable than ever to get a powerful microprocessor for gaming or other applications.

However, the decision is not easy.

The market is full of options, and you will surely ask yourself many questions: Is Intel or AMD better? How many cores do I need to play? And what do all the specifications that appear in the description of each model mean?

But do not worry because in this guide we will help you make the right decision, according to your budget and the use that you are going to give your new equipment.

According to a study carried out recently, around 50% of the people regularly play video games on their computer. One in two people is therefore very familiar with the frustration that one experiences when a gaming PC is not powerful enough to launch a new game. 

The processor is the essential element in any computer system dedicated to video games. Thanks to our comparative test, you have the opportunity to find the best performing gaming processor model of 2021, the one with the best quality / price ratio. The comparisons made by our consumer portal were drawn using external testing, buyer reviews and trade journal articles.

As its name suggests, the gaming processor is mainly used to power a gaming computer . However, many other applications can be used with this component.

Today, some professional software requires the integration of a powerful processor in the computer in order to be able to be used. This is particularly the case with computer graphics , streaming or video processing software .

Since a gaming processor is primarily used to improve the fluidity and speed of playing games , it is equally useful for playing high-quality movies or for producing professional graphics images using a graphic design or gaming monitor.

What in RTX 3080 Ti

A true powerhouse, the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti will run even the most demanding game system requirements released today. Capable of running games with up to a DirectX 12 requirement.

Here we take a closer look at the various performances across 1080p, 1440p and 4K screen resolutions for the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. In particular this is looking at the Ultra graphics settings to see what sort of FPS this graphics card can get across some of the more popular games played in 2021. This card runs recommended graphics requirements of 1000 games from the top 1000 most demanding games being played today.

The 1080p FPS on Ultra for the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU shows us that Days Gone is getting a strong result of 118 FPS, and then we are seeing Far Cry 6 predicted to return a good 74 FPS while another game on our list is the Dying Light 2 which is predicted to get 84 frames per second at Ultra 1080p.

Next up we increase screen res tests to accommodate the growing in popularity 1440p screen size. So we researched the upcoming Far Cry 6 to predict how the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti would deal with it. Our research revealed a reasonable series of FPS results across these graphics presets – Low: 149 FPS, Medium: 117 FPS, High: 79 FPS and Ultra: 56 FPS. Next we looked at Dying Light 2 which we predict will be good with a 64 FPS at Ultra 1440p. And finally looked at Days Gone that got an Ultra 1440p FPS of 90.

In summary we feel the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti running at 1440p is more than capable at running this screen resolution. 1440p Ultra across almost all modern games is going to be fairly standard with this GPU. We would consider moving this hardware up to 4K screen resolutions for PC gaming today.

How many years will the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card play newly released games and how long until you should consider upgrading the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti in your PC? A top gaming graphics card choice, the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti will not need to be upgraded for at least 3+ years of AAA gaming at top graphics settings

Whats a good PC graphics upgrade for the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti? There are no graphics cards on the current market that would provide a big enough increase in performance to warrant upgrading the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti.

GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Benchmarks

Our recommended list of the best cpu for rtx 3080 ti graphics card

  1. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
  2. Intel Core i7-11700K
  3. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
  4. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  5. Intel Core i9-10900K
  6. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

1. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-core

Side by side with the Intel Core i7, the Ryzen 7 5800X has several arguments in its favor to become one of the most recommended processors today.

For starters, it performs at a high level in gaming, reaching a FPS number similar to the much more expensive Ryzen 9 5900X. It also has a very successful number of cores to last you many years: eight cores and 16 threads. A configuration that we also see in the new generation consoles (Xbox Series X and Playstation 5).

In addition, the number of instructions per cycle has been improved with respect to the Ryzen 7 3700X, so its cores are much more robust.

And as far as it goes, it shines in demanding tasks, making it suitable for content creation professionals.

The downside that we find is that the Intel i7-10700K is cheaper and on top of that it surpasses it in gaming. In addition, this new Ryzen 7 does not have a built-in fan, so the total cost is even higher.

2. Intel Core i7-11700K

Intel Core i7-11700K

If it has the same rating as its big brother, the Core i7-11700K seems more interesting to us than the Core i9: it offers very similar performance for a lower cost. On the other hand, it remains less interesting than the Core i5-11600K and suffers from the comparison with the Ryzen 5000 series.

No need to hide the fact, the performance of the Rocket Lake-S chips – the 11th generation of Intel – is not as stunning as hoped, the fault of innovations still too timid while the founder remains blocked on its process of engraving in 14 nm. However, everything is not to be thrown away and the level of performance achieved remains more than correct.

For a fraction of the price of the big brother i9, this Core i7-11700K is thus able to overshadow it with sometimes very similar results in applications and video games. Its 8 cores / 16 threads and 16MB L3 cache total get the job done and its operating frequencies (3.6 GHz base / 5 GHz boost) are among the highest on the market. Be careful, however, the power consumption is high and energy efficiency deficient.

3. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

A better performance for AMD than this Ryzen 9 5900X. Not content with being a multithreaded power monster, it takes full advantage of the improvements made by engineers to also ensure singlethreading. Capable of adapting to all situations and relatively good at overclocking, it has a good, even very good quality / price ratio.

No less than 12 Zen 3 cores, SMT technology for 24 threads , 7nm engraving, 32MB L3 cache, 3.7 GHz base frequency and up to 4.8 GHz in boost , the Ryzen 9 5900X is a beast of a race … However, when selecting our CPU for “heavy application”, we hesitated. The Ryzen 9 5950X does indeed raise the bar a little higher, but for a price that swells too quickly.

So we decided to stick with the Ryzen 9 5900X and we don’t regret it. For several generations, AMD has rammed Intel’s pawn on the application side: the computing power, even more so in a largely multithreaded environment, is clearly to the advantage of the Ryzen 9 5900X. That said, even in video games, once Intel’s prerogative, the Ryzen 9 5900X does come out on top, albeit the gap is minimal.

4. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

With the 5600X, AMD may be hitting even harder than with the 5900X. Zen 3 is still as powerful as ever – it is ahead of Intel even in video games – but it is also significantly less expensive. A sure bet that we can only recommend.

Little Thumb of the new AMD 5000 Series range at its launch, the Ryzen 5 5600X had the important mission of democratizing the new Zen 3 core. It is indeed 30-35% cheaper than the Ryzen 7 5800X for ultimately not so distant… at least on “light” applications and video games.

In heavier applications, over video encoding or heavy computing, the 5800X’s additional 2 cores / 4 threads tip the scales in its favor. On the other hand, for the rest, the 5600X is at the level of the best. Better still, it makes sure to operate without the risk of overheating thanks to energy efficiency among the best ever observed.

5. Intel Core i9-10900K

Intel Core i9-10900K

The Intel Core i9-10900K promised to be the fastest processor on the market when it came out. And it was true for a few months, but with the arrival of the Ryzen 5900X things are not so clear anymore.

Of course, the i9 is still a huge CPU for your computer. With 10 cores and 20 threads, it has a base frequency of 3.70 GHz on all of them, while the top frequency reaches 5.30 GHz thanks to Intel’s new turbo Velocity technology.

And its ability to overclock is such that 5.30 GHz can be achieved on all simultaneous threads with the right knowledge and a good cooling system.

Another of its biggest drawbacks is that the TDP is quite high, 125w according to the specifications offered by Intel. But at full capacity it is even higher. So you will have to accompany it with a power supply to match, as well as a powerful heatsink.

So is this i9 or the Ryzen 9 better?

We stick with the Ryzen if the price between them is more or less equal. Because for gaming, either of the two is excessive, while for productivity the Ryzen 9 gives better results thanks to its two extra cores and its larger cache memory, in addition to being more efficient.

6. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

Think you’re running out of power with the 5900X and have a huge budget for your new machine? So hard to resist the huge AMD Ryzen 5 5950X. 

The most advanced processor in the range, it stands out for its design with 16 cores and 32 threads and a maximum frequency of 4.9 Ghz. An impressive data sheet, which should delight users with significant computing needs outside of gaming. 

Indeed, if you will not see real differences in FPS compared to a 5900X or a 10900K, on heavy tasks such as 3D rendering or video editing, the 5950X reveals all its capabilities and displays impressive performance. 

Like its little brother, it is unfortunately a victim of its success and limited stocks. Initially offered at a price of $850, if you are lucky enough to find availability, there is a good chance that it is rather around $1000. 

How to choose a processor: everything you need to know

Choosing the right processor is essential, whether you’re buying a brand new PC or just wanting to replace your old CPU with a more modern one.

In the event that you are going to configure a new computer, it is best to start by choosing which processor it will have, since this will determine the total cost of the equipment, which motherboard you must buy, which graphics card you can accompany it with, and so on.

Here we tell you everything you need to know to choose your perfect CPU.

Budget: How much will you spend on your PC

When setting a budget for your processor, you should also take into account the total amount that you will spend on the entire computer.

This is the best way to achieve a balanced team, and avoid mistakes such as pairing a very powerful processor with a low-end graphics card, for example.

A good rule of thumb is to spend around 20% of your total budget on purchasing the processor.

What will you use the computer for

The second most important factor to consider is how you will use your PC. It is not the same if you only want it to surf the Internet and watch series than if you are going to use it professionally in a photographic studio, for example.

In general terms, we can establish the following uses:

  • Basic tasks: This is where the most everyday and simple activities come in, such as office automation work, surfing the web, watching series and movies, listening to music … The cheapest processors in this buying guide will serve you for these uses.
  • Gaming: If your main objective is to build a PC to be able to play on it, you will need a mid-range processor. If you don’t have a lot of money you can also buy a low-end one, as long as you accompany it with a good graphics card. Instead, we do not recommend one of the high-end models, as it is better to invest in the graphics.
  • Productivity, editing and design: In this section we include tasks such as graphic design, video and photography editing, streaming of your games … If you feel identified with this category, look at our selection of high-end processors.
  • Heavy work: This is where the tasks that most demand the processor are framed, and which are often carried out by audiovisual professionals and technicians: 4K video editing, texture rendering, 3D modeling …

Intel or AMD

This is a perennial debate in the hardware hobbyist communities, although to tell the truth it is already quite out of date.

Neither manufacturer is simply better than the other. Each one has products with different characteristics and prices, so the best choice will always be the one that best suits your needs.

It is true that until a few years ago Intel was at the forefront of innovation, but AMD has managed to catch up with it with its Ryzen processors.

Today, Intel has a small advantage for gaming and tasks that require few cores, while AMD is somewhat superior for editing and multitasking work.

This may give you a slight clue as to which brand to choose, but you really can’t go wrong with either. Both are tech giants with a lot of experience behind them.

Overclocking: yes or no?

Some processors allow the practice of overclocking, which is nothing more than raising the frequency speed of a CPU above what appears in its specifications.

These models are said to be “unlocked”, as opposed to “locked”, which does not support it.

There are several reasons to overclock. Some do it for sheer pleasure. Others see how far they can take the power of their team. And there are also those who simply want to get some extra FPS (frames per second) in their games.

However, overclocking is not for everyone. Doing so involves having to adjust different parameters and be aware of the temperatures that your equipment reaches so that it does not end up damaged.

In addition, if you decide to do it, you should know that the total cost of your equipment will rise, since you will need a better heatsink than the one that the processor comes standard and a motherboard capable of supporting this practice, especially if you opt for the Intel route. , for which you must get a model whose name ends in -K.

On the other hand, all Ryzen support this practice, to a greater or lesser extent, and many have a fairly decent heatsink to do it at least moderately.

As you can see, this is another important decision that you must make before launching into buying a new processor.

Technical specifications: what you should look out for

Reading the technical specifications of a processor (and in general of any component) and getting something clear is not always easy.

It is possible that you come across many terms and acronyms that you do not know, or that you simply do not know what are the most important aspects that will determine the performance of your processor.

Therefore, we have prepared this short summary with the most important characteristics that you should look at:

  • Frequency or speed: You can also find this term expressed as clock speed, operating frequency, clock cycle or other similar names. It is displayed in gigahertz (Hz), and measures the speed at which the processor chip operates. There is typically a base frequency for light tasks and a turbo or accelerated frequency for when more work is put on the processor. The change between the two modes occurs automatically.
  • Number of cores: The cores are the processing units that the processor has. Each of them is capable of carrying out a different task, so that CPUs with multiple cores can carry out several jobs at the same time faster, since they share the workload between their units. Current processors usually have between 4 and 8 cores, although it is also possible to find models with up to 18. The number of cores you need will depend largely on the use you want to give your PC. For gaming, more than 4 cores are rarely used, while for tasks such as 3D design or video editing it is beneficial to have a few more.
  • Number of threads: The threads or virtual cores are the independent processes that a nucleus can carry out simultaneously. Normally, each core corresponds to a single thread, but both AMD and Intel have developed technologies so that the cores of their processors can be divided into two threads, which carry out different actions. In Intel’s case, this capability is called Hyper-Threading, and in the case of AMD Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT). However, the term Intel is often used in a generalized way.
  • Instructions per cycle (IPC): They are the number of actions that the processor can execute in each clock cycle. This figure may be different even in models with the same frequency and the same number of cores, since it depends on whether they are manufactured by Intel or AMD, their architecture and the generation to which they belong. Sometimes a processor with a lower frequency but a higher IPC can be faster in practice than one with a higher frequency but a lower IPC. This characteristic is somewhat more difficult to find out than the previous ones, since it is usually not indicated in the product specifications. For this reason, it is advisable to seek information about it before deciding on one or the other processor.
  • Power Consumption (TDP): Not all processors consume the same amount of power. The TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates in watts (w) the maximum temperature that a CPU can generate, and therefore, the energy it consumes. The higher this figure, the more power our power supply must have, and the more heat the CPU fan we install must be able to dissipate.
  • Cache memory: Processors have a small memory reserve, called a cache, which they use to store information that the system thinks it may need in the very long term. For the processor, it is faster to access this memory than the RAM, and much faster than the hard disk, so it is used to shorten the processes it carries out. The cache can be of type L1, L2 and L3, each one of greater capacity than the previous one but also slower. This is a secondary aspect that you should only take into account in case of absolute doubt when choosing your processor, since in the real world it does not make much difference.

Motherboard socket

For your processor to work, it must be compatible with the motherboard, and more specifically, with its socket. The socket is the socket or connector into which the processor is inserted.

If you already have a motherboard and you only have to replace the processor, you will have to find one that is compatible with its socket, so the options you will have will be quite limited. On the other hand, if you are going to build a PC from scratch and you are going to buy both the CPU and the motherboard, you will have more freedom to choose the processor you want.

AMD is more flexible with its sockets, and when it releases a new one, it typically supports multiple processor generations. Intel processors, on the other hand, are not usually backward compatible with respect to sockets, since they adopt new versions with slight changes with each new generation of CPU.


With this we finalize our buying guide for the best processors for this 2020. Remember that every month we will update this article, so if you want to be up-to-date in the CPU market you can save this page in your bookmarks and visit it regularly .

Author

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  • Areesha

    Areesha is a tech enthusiast and a freelance writer who loves to share her insights on the latest gadgets and innovations. She has been reviewing tech products for over five years, covering everything from smartphones, laptops, cameras, smartwatches, headphones, and more. She enjoys testing out new features, comparing different models, and giving honest feedback to her readers. Areesha’s reviews are always informative, engaging, and easy to understand. Whether you are looking for a new device, a gift idea, or just curious about the tech world, Areesha’s reviews will help you make the best decision. You can find her work on various websites and blogs, such as [TechCrunch], [CNET], [The Verge], and [Gizmodo]. You can also follow her on [Twitter] and [Instagram] to get the latest updates on her reviews and projects. Areesha is always open to suggestions and feedback from her audience, so feel free to contact her anytime. She is looking forward to hearing from you!

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