All of your work and gaming will be uplifted if you choose the best compatible CPU for your next RTX 4080 Build.
The RTX 4080 it is considered one of the top and demanding cards, it better be paired with a capable processor of its type.
The RTX 4080 is one of the most powerful and anticipated graphics cards of 2023, featuring the new Ada Lovelace architecture and 16GB of GDDR6X memory. But to unleash its full potential, you need a CPU that can keep up with its high demands. In this article, we will help you find the best CPU for RTX 4080, based on performance, features, and value.
I’ll compare some of the latest and greatest CPUs from both Intel and AMD.
Also, I’ll consider factors such as clock speed, core count, power consumption, and motherboard compatibility. Whether you are looking for a gaming beast, a creative powerhouse, or a balanced all-rounder, we have got you covered.
Our Recommended list of the Best CPU for RTX 4080
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D : Overall Best CPU for RTX 4080
- Intel Core i7-13700K: Best Intel CPU for RTX 4080
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700X: Best Affordable CPU for 4080
- Intel Core i5-13600K : Best Budget CPU For RTX 4080
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
CPU for RTX 4080 Requirements:
- L2 and L3 cache should be enormous
- Infinity cache will give edge to 4080 to perform better in games
- Minimum cores 8, maximum 12
- PCIe 4.0 support is great for gaming connectivity
- Lower TDP as low as 95W will save you some bucks
1. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D : Overall Best CPU for RTX 4080
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best overall CPU for the RTX 4080, as it offers excellent gaming performance and is also good for productivity tasks.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a good match for the Nvidia RTX 4080, which is also based on the Ada Lovelace architecture and features 9,728 cores, 16 GB of GDDR6X memory, and a 256-bit memory bus.
The RTX 4080 is an enthusiast-class graphics card that can handle any game at high resolutions and settings, as well as ray tracing and DLSS. The RTX 4080 has a TDP of 320 W, which means it requires a powerful PSU and cooling system to run at its full potential.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the RTX 4080 are both compatible with the PCIe 4.0 interface, which offers double the bandwidth of PCIe 3.0 and can improve performance in some scenarios.
However, to take advantage of this feature, you will need a motherboard that supports PCIe 4.0, such as the AMD X670 or B650 chipset boards. You will also need DDR5 memory, which is faster and more efficient than DDR4, but also more expensive and less widely available.
No doubut, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is one of the best CPUs for the RTX 4080, as it offers excellent performance for gaming and productivity, thanks to its high core count, clock speed, and cache size. It also supports PCIe 4.0 and DDR5 memory, which can further enhance performance and future-proof your system.
However, you will need to invest in a compatible motherboard, memory, PSU, and cooler to get the most out of this combination.
Know More:
- Best RAM for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Best GPU for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Best Motherboard for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
2. Intel Core i7-13700K : Best Intel CPU for RTX 4080
The Intel Core i7-13700K is our top pick for the best Intel CPU for RTX 4080, it is also one of the best CPUs for gaming in 2023. It offers almost the same gaming performance as the more expensive Core i9-13900K, but at a much lower price. It also beats the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X in most benchmarks, thanks to its higher clock speeds and larger cache.
The Intel Core i7-13700K is a beast of a processor that can handle any game you throw at it, especially when paired with the RTX 4080. It has 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 24 threads, making it a multitasking monster that can also handle demanding applications like video editing, streaming, and 3D rendering.
When we take a look at its base frequency, it has 3.4 GHz and a boost frequency of 5.4 GHz, which is the highest ever for an i7 processor. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving you the flexibility to choose the best RAM for your system.
The Intel Core i7-13700K is compatible with the new Z690 chipset, which offers PCIe 5.0 support, Thunderbolt 4 support, and Wi-Fi 6E support. The processor also has an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770, which can handle basic graphics tasks and support up to four displays.
The Intel Core i7-13700K is based on the new Raptor Lake architecture, which improves the performance and efficiency of the hybrid core design introduced with Alder Lake. The P-cores are optimized for high-performance tasks, while the E-cores are optimized for low-power tasks.
Know More:
- Best RAM For Core i7-13700K
- Best Motherboard For i7-13700K
- Best PSU For i7-13700K
- Best CPU Cooler for i7-13700K
3. AMD Ryzen 7 7700X : Best Affordable CPU for 4080
For the Best Affordable CPU for 4080 option I’ve chosen the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X. The Ryzen 7 7700X processor is based on the Zen 4 architecture, which offers improved performance and efficiency over the previous generation. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, which can handle any game or application you throw at it.
It also has a base clock of 4.5 GHz and a boost clock of 5.4 GHz, which is impressive for an AMD processor. It also supports DDR5 memory, which gives you faster and more reliable performance.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X is compatible with the new X670 chipset, which offers PCIe 5.0 support, Thunderbolt 4 support, and Wi-Fi 6E support. The processor does not come with a bundled cooler, so you will need to buy one separately. You will also need a motherboard with the AM5 socket, which is new and exclusive to the Zen 4 processors.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X also has some advantages over its Intel counterpart, the Core i7-12700K. The Ryzen 7 7700X has a larger L3 cache of 32 MB, which can improve gaming performance by reducing memory latency.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X is one of the best affordable CPUs for RTX 4080 in 2023. It offers excellent gaming performance and multitasking capabilities, while being more power-efficient and cheaper than the Intel Core i7-12700K.
It also beats the Intel Core i7-13700K in most benchmarks, thanks to its higher clock speeds and larger cache. If you are looking for a powerful processor that can keep up with the RTX 4080 without costing a fortune, the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X is the one for you.
Know More:
4. Intel Core i5-13600K : Best Budget CPU For RTX 4080
The Intel Core i5-13600K is a great budget option for pairing with the RTX 4080. The 13600K is part of Intel’s latest 13th Gen Raptor Lake lineup and offers 14 cores (6 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores) along with 24 threads.
This makes it a very capable chip for gaming, streaming, and multitasking. When paired with the RTX 4080, there is minimal bottlenecking, allowing you to maximize the performance of the GPU.
In benchmarks and real-world gaming tests, the 13600K consistently delivers high frame rates even at 1440p and 4K resolutions. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 that are known to be CPU intensive run beautifully on this setup. The six performance cores easily handle the heavy lifting while the efficiency cores take care of background tasks.
In tests, 13600K was able to achieve an average of 100 frames per second in games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Forza Horizon 5.
Overclocking potential is also excellent with the 13600K thanks to Intel’s Thermal Velocity Boost technology. With adequate cooling, it can sustain boost clocks beyond 5GHz across all six P-cores for even higher frame rates. This makes it competitive with more expensive chips like the 13700K for pure gaming workloads.
Ultimately, the Core i5-13600K deserves serious consideration as the best affordable CPU option to pair with the new RTX 4080. It delivers fantastic 1080p and 1440p gaming performance in today’s top titles while keeping costs down.
Know more:
5. Intel Core i7-12700K
I’ve also found that, the Core i7-12700K is a very capable CPU for the RTX 4080, as it offers excellent gaming performance and multitasking capabilities. According to the benchmarks, the Core i7-12700K paired with the RTX 4080 can achieve an average of 308.6 FPS at 1080p, 236.0 FPS at 1440p, and 149.6 FPS at 4K, all at ultra quality settings. These are impressive numbers that show that the Core i7-12700K can handle the RTX 4080 without any bottleneck.
The Core i7-12700K also has some advantages over its competitors, such as the Ryzen 7 5800X and the Ryzen 9 5900X. The Core i7-12700K has a higher boost clock of 5.4 GHz, which gives it an edge in single-threaded performance.
The Core i7-12700K is compatible with the new Z690 chipset, which offers PCIe 5.0 support, Thunderbolt 4 support, and Wi-Fi 6E support.
Speaking of turbo boost, it has almost 5.0GHz of as the most speed we can get. With LGA 1700 socket as the latest we can get in this category, your CPU will be able to place on the PCB without any issue. Moreover, there is 11MB of L2 and 25Mb of L3 cache for intensive tasks.
This CPU uses 125W in total that is not too low so you better add a good quality PSU with this one. Not to forget about the P and E cores and their performance and starting from the latter, we are getting 8 performance cores that have a maximum speed of 5.0 GHz. On the other hand, efficiency cores are 4 in number and they can give 3.8GHz maximum speed. This good quality processor is also supported by Radeon RX 6750 XT and AMD RX 6500 XT CPU.
Know More:
- Best Motherboard For i7-12700K
- Best CPU Coolers For i7-12700K
- Best PSU For i7-12700K
- Best RAM For i7-12700K
- Best Graphics Card For i7-12700K
6. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
From the top tier processors in the category of higher end products, there is a fusion of power and efficiency in this processor. It is related to the Ryzen 5000 series and will break away from the cliched norms that are related to the CPU’s.
There are certain features that will keep you being productive for hours. It has 12 cores and 24 threads with the same processing power for multiple tasks.
Having a base clock of 3.6GHz, the more you push it forward to get the maximum boost clock of 4.8GHz. Such overclocking is the reason the brand has unlocked the CPU to unleash the full potential of your system.
Up to 90 degree centigrade of maximum temperature can be maintained without getting rushed into the no zone. But on the plus side, you have to choose a cooler that will not take away the charm of chilled performance.
Not to forget about the 70Mb cache when you have a GPU like 4080 by your side because cache helps you enhance gaming performance. Besides DDR-3200, we can rely on the AM4 platform because this socket will be able to let you attach B550 and X570 motherboards.
Pros:
- Great for multi threading
- Incredible boost clock
- Base clock speed is mind blowing
- Amazing gaming and productivity performance
- Attracts audience because relatively new in market
Cons:
- Not bundled with cooler
- Lacks power efficiency
Know More:
Best CPU for RTX 4080 Buying Guide
Getting your CPU is a crucial job when you are not aware that your GPU must be compatible with it. Since you already have your eye on RTX 4080, our suggestion is to go with AMD’s Ryzen 9 3900X that has almost everything your gaming needs. So let’s dig more and find out what other features you should be looking at while getting a processor.
Clock Speeds:
This feature is the average speed from minimum to maximum that will determine how fast you can run multiple tasks at the same time. So starting from 3.6 to 4.6 GHz and even more, your CPU should be able to push harder. When things get intense like modern AAA games that need higher graphics and computing power, an unlocked version of the processor is of great help for overclocking purposes.
Cores:
There are 12 cores and 24 threads in our suggested model but there are even higher numbers than this. These cores are basically the command senders of your system and enable the tasks that your system will be handling at a time. You might not need too much like 16 cores since you are not building a workstation for deep learning. But there should be enough to load the intensive data and multimedia rendering applications.
Cache:
A cache plays a huge role in the enhancement of your system’s performance, particularly gaming. Up to 70Mb of cache is a great way to start off your journey and quest of beating down enemies. In addition, DDR 3200 support has enough for the memory to cope with other commands as well.
TDP:
You better not choose a system that is too demanding when it comes to power consumption. The reason is simple as it will increase a great deal from your electricity bill. From 95W to 105W are somehow acceptable though some tech experts still consider the latter as high thermal design power. We suggest you get a lower to mid tier power supply unit to fuel the rest of the system along with your CPU.
Socket:
No judgments but whatever processor you chose, its socket must support the latest and modern motherboards. Intel offers LGA 1200, 1700 while AMD is a fan of AM4 sockets.
Cooler:
When gaming is the basic purpose of your system or even if it is editing, your system is more likely to get heated during overclocking. So you better be ready for some dollars on a capable cooler. A prism Wraith cooler with LED touch fulfills aesthetic feels and keeps extra heat out as well.
FAQs
A good CPU for the RTX 4080 would have at least 6 cores and 12 threads, and a clock speed of at least 4.0 GHz. Some good options include the Intel Core i7-13700K, the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Some CPUs that are likely to bottleneck a RTX 4080 are the Intel Core i5-12400F, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, and the Ryzen 7 5800X. These CPUs are all good performers, but they may not be powerful enough to keep up with the RTX 4080 in demanding games.
The Intel Core i7-12700K is a powerful CPU that should be able to handle the RTX 4080 in most games. However, it may bottleneck the graphics card in some demanding titles. If you are planning on playing at 4K or high refresh rates, it is best to go with a more powerful CPU like the i7-13700K.
It depends on the specific i7 CPU and the games you are playing. Some i7 CPUs, such as the i7-12700K, are powerful enough to handle the RTX 4080 in most games. However, other i7 CPUs, such as the i7-11700K, may bottleneck the graphics card in some demanding titles.
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