Best CPUs for RX 6700 XT

The Radeon RX 6700 XT is a solid performer despite its relatively high price. AMD may not be able to match demand at launch, but in the long run, this should be a competitive GPU.

Think of yourself as someone who enjoys playing heavy online games, such as PUBG, on the maximum possible FPS at 1080p or 1440p for the quickest reaction times. Your Ultrawide twin 1440p screen demands the highest possible quality for a fully immersive video game-watching experience.

You need a top-class GPU like 6700 XT and the best CPU for RX 6700 XT to achieve the best possible results. In modern games like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Shadow of Tomb Raider, which includes AI and complex game logic, a strong CPU with an exceptional single-core and multicore performance is becoming more necessary.

Radeon DNA 2 (Radeon DNA) is the foundation of next-generation gaming graphics in Xbox X/S and PlayStation 5 systems. AMD’s 6000 series significantly outperformed the 5000 series in energy efficiency and power per watt, with a 54 percent boost.

The AMD 6700 XT is a pure gaming king and has 12 GB of GDDR6 RAM. It beats most of NVidia’s GPUs' head-to-head performance and power consumption.

See some of our suggestions that can help you decide if you are willing to buy a new CPU for your 6700 XT.

Quick Shopping Tips:

OVERCLOCKING: Overclocking is increasing the CPU’s base frequency over the operating point to get more incredible performance. High FPS and the most satisfactory gaming performance are gamers' most sought-after characteristics in a CPU. The best CPU for gaming PCs is one that has an overclockable multiplier and can be unlocked.

Brand Rivalry: In the CPU market, Intel and AMD are the two largest manufacturers, and the two most significant competitors are AMD and Intel. In terms of CPU technology, both companies manufacture cutting-edge products

BOTTLENECKING: All video rendering and other computations are handled by the CPU. During gaming, the GPU and CPU work together to execute the job at hand and provide you with the best visuals for the FPS you are playing at.

A CPU bottleneck will occur if the CPU takes longer to transmit instructions to the GPU than the GPU takes to receive them. Choosing a CPU that isn’t as strong as the rest of the system might cause a bottleneck, which results in suboptimal system performance.

CORE PERFORMANCE: Performance in gaming is closely related to the speed of the CPU’s single-core score. Tasks assigned to the CPU may be completed more quickly when the CPU has a higher clock speed. However, the core count isn’t very crucial.

Quad-core CPUs are still common in gaming setups because of their cheaper pricing and near-Hexa or octa-core performance. With six cores, the price-performance ratio is at its best.

AMD vs. INTEL: The two biggest CPU manufacturers and the most significant rivals are AMD and Intel. Both produce cutting-edge technology and are always neck to neck in CPU technology. AMD offers overall better CPUs for both gaming and productivity assignments with reasonable pricing. In contrast, Intel offers the best premium gaming CPUs due to their highest clock speed and better single-core output.

Best CPUs for RX 6700 XT at a glance:

  1. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
  2. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
  3. Intel Core i9-10900K
  4. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  5. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
  6. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
  7. AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
  8. Intel core i7-10700K

The Best CPUs for RX 6700 XT You Can Buy Today

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (Image credit: Amazon)

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Best Overall CPU for RX 6700 XT

SPECIFICATIONS

Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 08/16 | Base Frequency: 3.8 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105W

REASONS TO BUY

PCI Express 4.0 support

latest Zen 3 architecture

Lower TDP than Intel’s rivals

REASONS TO AVOID

No stock cooler

Slightly higher price

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X boasts an eight-core 16 thread CPU with impressive multitasking capabilities and excellent gaming performance. It is the Best Overall CPU for RX 6700 XT, featuring the latest Zen 3 architecture, in which the L3 cache is directly connected to the cores. It offers an impressive 19% increase in Instructions per cycle compared to the previous gen and delivers faster cache speeds.

Ryzen 5800X is offered at a higher price than the previous gen, which is fully justified with its productivity-oriented and overall improved performance. Although its gaming performance is excellent, it is almost similar to the 5600X, which is offered lower. Still, its significantly improved multi-core performance makes up for its higher cost and makes it the  RX 6700 XT best CPU for both gaming and content creation.

Like most high-end CPUs, another thing that will be adding to its cost is the CPU cooler, as you won’t be getting any bundled with the CPU. The CPU delivered incredible results in benchmarks providing an average of 176 FPS on 1080p and 134 FPS on 2K in most AAA titles. Overall it’s a balanced CPU with fantastic performance, and it is the best CPU for RX 6700 XT for the enthusiast and gamers.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (Image credit: Amazon)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

AMD's Best CPU for RX 6700 XT

SPECIFICATIONS

Socket: AM4 motherboards | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 12/24 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.8 GHz | TDP: 105W

REASONS TO BUY

Higher performance per watt ratio

Superior multi-thread performance

Best for content creation and gaming

REASONS TO AVOID

No stock cooler

Lack of integrated graphics

Intel Core i9 10900K was the flagship processor for hardcore gaming, offering the best possible FPS, but with the launch of AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, the title for the best gaming processor went from Intel to AMD 5900X. It packs an impressive 12 core and 24 thread CPU and boasts the latest ZEN 3 architecture for faster core performance, making it the best CPU for RX 6700 XT

The AMD Zen 3 features a 7nm lithography same as Zen 2 (previous-gen) but has faster IPC and cache performance than the previous gen. This improved core performance led it to claim the title from Intel, making it the best CPU for 6700 XT, while Intel is still stuck on 14+mm chips. The core performance is evident from the in-game account of at least 2% (Far Cry: New Dawn) to up to 21% (League of Legends) increase in FPS in various AAA games.

The 5900X, when combined with 6700 XT, delivered an impressive 197 FPS in Shadow of Tomb Raider and 179 FPS in GTA V on high settings, while on 2k resolution, it produced 73 FPS and 93 FPS, respectively. These impressive results make it AMD’s Best CPU for RX 6700 XT to ensure smoother gameplay in Full HD and 2K.

Intel Core i9-10900K (Image credit: Amazon)

Intel Core i9-10900K

Intel's Best CPU for RX 6700 XT

SPECIFICATIONS

Socket: LGA 1200 | Architecture: Comet Lake | Cores/Threads: 10/20 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 5.3 GHz | TDP: 125W

REASONS TO BUY

Excellent overclocking ability

Supports 1440p gaming at 60 FPS

Highest boost frequency of 5.3GHz

REASONS TO AVOID

No PCIe 4.0

Higher power consumption

With the launch of its 10th gen flagship Intel Core i9-10900K, Intel hoped to regain the title of best gaming CPU with two additional cores than the previous-gen (10 cores, 20 threads now). It did perform impressively and held the title for the best gaming CPU until the launch of the AMD Zen 3 CPUs. Although AMD’s 5900X beat it in gaming performance but only slightly so, and it’s still Intel’s Best CPU for RX 6700 XT for gaming. 

The Intel Core i9 10900K delivers an impressive 163 FPS in 1080p and 122 FPS in 2K (ultrahigh settings) when coupled with RTX 6700, which is more than one would need for a high FPS hardcore gaming, making it the RX 6700 XT best CPU for gaming. Since Intel’s focused mainly on the single-core performance and achieved it, the CPU multi-core performance lags behind the AMDs Zen 3 CPUs and doesn’t make it an excellent choice for content creation. 

Being a K series variant makes it easy to overclock this CPU, and impressive gaming performance is achieved when 10900K is appropriately overclocked, making it the best CPU for RX 6700 XT that is highly suitable for fast-paced gaming. The lack of the out-of-box CPU cooler is annoying, and being a 125W TDP, we need a high-performance CPU cooler to keep this beast within thermal limits.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (Image credit: Amazon)

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Best Budget CPU for RX 6700 XT

SPECIFICATIONS

Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 06/12 | Base Frequency: 3.7 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65W

REASONS TO BUY

Very Low TDP

PCIe 4.0 support

Comes with Wraith Steel Cooler

REASONS TO AVOID

Subpar overclocking

No integrated graphics

AMD Ryzen 5000 series offers a one window solution for all levels of consumers and is launched to compete with Intel and beat it on all grounds, and it did so. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the mid-range gaming CPU designed to knock off Intel’s middle order. Its six powerful cores have impressive single-core performance and lower latency cache earning the title for Best Budget CPU for RX 6700 XT.

The latest Zen 3 architecture is why this impressive performance was delivered by such a low power-consuming CPU(only 65W). It offers excellent value, and its price is fully justified. Furthermore, AMD bundled a Wraith Steel Cooler with 5600X to increase its value and please the users. Its performance matches Intels 10900K, and it’s the best CPU for 6700 XT from AMD’s lineup.

In benchmarks testing 5600X delivered 160+ FPS on 1080p and 120+ FPS on 1440p (on ultra-high settings)when combined with 6700 XT which matches the last-gen Intel flagship. Although Its overclocking ability is average compared to Flagship CPUs, we recommend it to be RX 6700 XT best CPU due to its overall decent gaming performance. Low price makes it the most suitable choice for budget gamers.

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (Image credit: Amazon)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

Best Premium CPU for RX 6700 XT

SPECIFICATIONS

Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 16/32 | Base Frequency: 3.4 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.9 GHz | TDP: 105W

REASONS TO BUY

Lower TDP than rivals

Off the chart productivity score

Suitable for Hi-end desktop

REASONS TO AVOID

Expensive

No cooler included

AMD is blurring the line between HEDT (Hi-end Desktop) and mainstream desktop processors with the launch of AMD Ryzen 9 5950X. It competes directly with Intel’s extreme Core X HEDT series CPU (Core i9 10980XE, to be precise), used in extremely high-performance server PCs. Although the 5950X is a little more expensive than the 10980XE, it provides almost a 26% performance boost compared to the latter, and it’s the RX 6700 XT best CPU that money can buy.

5950X is designed for extreme productivity applications and beats the Intel CPUs in every possible comparison, even the gaming industry. 5950X boasts a massive 16 core, 32 thread CPU that can excel at every challenge thrown at it. The addition of Zen 3 architecture allowed it to break speed barriers due to higher core performance than the last-gen models, and PCIe 4.0 addition makes it the best CPU for RX 6700 XT due to its increased bandwidth.

AMD 5950X provides the best possible gaming experience and the highest FPS than any other desktop processor (when integrated with 6700 XT) and beats every Intel processor. But the price to performance ratio is relatively high as you can get very slightly reduced performance on 5800X at almost half the price. This CPU is the Best Premium CPU for RX 6700 XT intended for ultimate enthusiasts, extreme gamers, or exceptionally high-end content creators.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X (Image credit: Amazon)

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

Best Flagship CPU for RX 6700 XT

SPECIFICATIONS

Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 12/24 | Base Frequency: 3.8 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 105W

REASONS TO BUY

PCIe 4.0

CPU cooler provided

Good performance to price ratio

REASONS TO AVOID

Higher idling power

Narrow overclocking margin

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is the first AMD processor to use 12 core and 24 threads in a single CPU chip and feature the Zen 3 architecture. It was designed to perform the best in productivity applications and deliver smoother performance in games while keeping an excellent performance to price ratio. Balanced performance and PCIe 4.0 slot for higher bandwidth make it the best CPU for 6700 XT high-end gaming.

AMD 3900X delivers almost similar performance to the newer 5800X CPU in games, but its additional four cores allow it to perform better in multitasking scenarios and productivity suites. Having extra cores makes 3900X an overall RX 6700 XT best CPU choice for gaming and content creation compared to 5900X since both are offered in a similar price range. 

Ryzen 9 3900X is the Best Flagship CPU for RX 6700 XT due to its impressive gaming performance. Gaming is a breeze with 3900X due to higher FPS and smoother gameplay in most modern games. It delivers, on average, a breathtaking 156 FPS at 1080p and 117 FPS at 2K at Ultra-high settings in the latest titles. The addition of a bundled cooler further adds to its appeal and value.

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X (Image credit: Amazon)

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Best Enthusiast CPU for RX 6700 XT

SPECIFICATIONS

Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores/Threads: 16/32 | Base Frequency: 3.5 GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105W

REASONS TO BUY

Mighty processor

Low-cost alternative to HEDT

Suitable for multithreaded work

REASONS TO AVOID

Expensive

Extra cooling requirement

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is the mightiest processor from the last-gen that didn’t become part of hi-end desktop HEDT CPUs, although it could. Packing a whopping 16 core and 32 thread chips, the 3950X is a massive powerhouse with immense processing power that makes even the most intensive tasks look like child’s play. A processor of such stature will be expensive, and not for everyone but only for the top league. It is the Best Enthusiast CPU for RX 6700 XT.

Gaming with 3950X is a breeze, with massive firepower at its disposal, ensuring its place as the best CPU for RX 6700 XT. It delivers a stunning 157 FPS at 1080p and 117 FPS at 1440p on ultra settings with 6700 XT, similar to 3900X achieved at almost double the price. Although its gaming results are top class, it’s an overkill for this purpose and not the most economical choice. 

But if your interests are not limited to gaming, and you need a top-performance multitasker setup for productivity scenarios and hardcore gaming, this is the best CPU for 6700 XT. AMD 3950X is genuinely for the enthusiasts and performance junkies that will never let them down.

Intel core i7-10700K (Image credit: Amazon)

Intel core i7-10700K

Best Performance CPU for RX 6700 XT

SPECIFICATIONS

Socket: LGA 1200 | Architecture: Comet Lake | Cores/Threads: 08/16 | Base Frequency: 3.8GHz | Top Boost Frequency: 5.1GhHz | TDP: 125W

REASONS TO BUY

Turbo Boost 3.0

Unlocked multiplier

Excellent overclocking margin

REASONS TO AVOID

No PCIe 4.0

Not compatible with older mobos

After relentless pressure from AMD, Intel finally succumbed to the pressure and launched Intel Core i7-10700K, which offers eight cores, 16 threads, and noticeably better performance than Coffee Lake flagship 9900K at almost 20% reduced price. Intel 10700K is a bargain and the Best Performance CPU for RX 6700 XT on a tight budget. 

Although Intel launched its most premium feature, Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) on the Core-i9 series, Intel 10700K also debuted with Turbo Boost Max 3.0. These features allow the 10700K’s fastest dual cores to reach up to an incredible 5.1 GHz speed for even snappier performance. TB 3.0 results in higher FPS and overall faster gaming performance with 6700 Xt and near 10900K performance, making it RX 6700 XT best CPU for high-performance budget gaming rigs.

Even though 10700K has eight cores, its basic design philosophy is focused on single-core performance to deliver the fastest response in games and lightly threaded applications. You can fully utilize its overclocking capabilities to achieve the smoothest gaming session by applying a suitable cooler, an unlocked motherboard, and a high-end GPU like 6700 XT.

Conclusion

AMD RX 6700 XT is a powerful GPU developed to dominate the gaming world. Being a high-performance graphic card, it needs an equally capable processor to supplement its performance rather than curtailing it. The CPUs we have shortlisted are done, so after thorough research and tedious testing by the experts, It is fully compatible with the RX 6700 XT and does not bottleneck its massive firepower. The best selection from Intel’s portfolio would no doubt be the Intel Core i9-10900K for the best CPU for RX 6700 XT, due to its best single-core performance & the highest boost speed coupled with the superb overclocking ability and delivers the most satisfactory gaming performance and the best FPS than any other Comet lake CPUs. 

If you want the overall best performing all-purpose rig (gaming and productivity) that performs the smoothest during gameplay or your CPU-intensive encoding or rendering activities, then the best CPU for 6700 XT is undoubtedly AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. If you don’t want unnecessarily higher frame rates and want a decent performing gaming rig with reasonable FPS at 1080p and budget price, Intel Core i5-10600K would be RX 6700 XT best CPU choice. It featured a six-core CPU with superb heat dissipation, excellent overclocking ability due to a beefy heat spreader and offered at a very reasonable price. It provides stable gaming performance of up to 90+ FPS in 1080p at maxed-out setting in popular AAA titles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Intel

The best CPU for RX 6700 XT is undoubtedly the AMD 5900X, which packs an impressive 12 core & 24 thread structure. If you are an avid gamer, 5900X will deliver the most immersive graphics and the best possible frames per sec in popular games, even in 2K. Alternatively, if you are a content creator, it will deliver the best processing speed and performance to achieve your targets faster and better.

Which Ryzen CPU is the best for the RX 6700 XT?

The Ryzen CPU best for RX 6700 XT is AMD 5800X. It strikes a balance between top performance and price. It packs eight cores with a 16 thread structure with the latest Zen 3 architecture that offers faster instruction per cycle and lower latency which translates to better gaming performance and multi-tasking abilities. It is the overall best CPU for 6700 XT for enthusiasts and content creators.

What CPU to pair with RX 6700 XT?

Any CPU that doesn’t cause a performance bottleneck is the RX 6700 XT best CPU. Intel i9 10900K is a capable last-gen flagship and title holder of best gaming CPU for last year. It features a ten core and 20 thread chip that has the highest clock of 5.3 GHz. Its single-core performance and higher clock speed than any other CPU make it a go-to choice for extreme gamers and overclockers.

What CPU is good with RX 6700 XT?

The most suitable choice for most gamers and content writers is unquestionably AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. It is the best budget CPU for 6700 XT with gaming performance just short of Intel 10900K. It boasts eight cores and 16 thread CPU that delivers decent FPS in top AAA titles in 1080p and 2K. Its superior gaming performance is derived from AMD’s latest Zen 3 architecture, making it highly efficient and thermally stable.

What CPU should I pair with RX 6700 XT?

In 2022, the Ryzen 5 5600X is the best CPU to use with the RX 6700XT for 1440p and 1080p gaming. With the RX 6700XT, you can play games at 1440p without latency or frame drops. Boost its performance by overclocking it.

Is 750w enough for RX 6700 XT?

For the 6700 and 6800, a 750-watt PSU is perfect. Overclocked or stock, you won’t be able to go near to your PSU’s maximum.