best cpu to pair with 3080
When it comes to choosing the best cpu for your 3080, it’s important to consider a few key factors. First and foremost, you’ll need to decide what type of processor you have. If you have an Intel Core i3, Core i5, or Core i7, you’ll need an Intel Core i3 or Core i5. If you have an AMD Ryzen 7, Ryzen 5, or Ryzen 3, you’ll need an AMD Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 5. Next, you’ll need to decide on your budget.t all motherboard brands, so it’s important
Best CPU for RTX 3080 Reviews
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best cpu to pair with 3080
You can find processors starting at just $60, so there is a wide range of options to choose from. Additionally, you’ll want to consider how many cores and threads your processor has. More cores and threads means more processing power, so if you need more power then an 8 core processor will be better than a 4 core processor. Finally, you’ll want to make sure that your processor supports your motherboard. Many processors don’t support.
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AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Unlocked Desktop Processor~best cpu to pair with 3080
If you’re looking for an ultimate desktop CPU, AMD might be the right choice for you. AMD has been dominating the CPU market for quite some time now.
A AMD Ryzen 9 5950X processor secured the top spot in our picks for the best CPU for RTX 3080. Even though this CPU comes at a very expensive price tag, it is one of the most powerful options available today that is also future-proof and suitable for almost every application. You can multitask with 16 cores and 32 threads with this processor. The max boost clock speed is 4.9 GHz, so it won’t be a problem.
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is an overclockable CPU that is already unlocked for overclocking before shipping. It has 73MB of cache, which certainly contributes to the CPU’s performance capacity and speed. Even though this is one of AMD’s latest offerings, it requires an AM4 socket so that it will work on motherboards such as B550 or X570. Also related: best cpu for YouTube video editing
Best Features
A 16-core and 32-thread processor
Clock speed maximum of 9 GHz
Power consumption of 105 watts
Provides 73 MB of cache
CPU socket AMD AM4 is required
A three-year warranty is included
Pros
Among our picks today, this CPU is the most powerful
Content creators and streamers should consider this option
A large amount of data can be cached
Cons
The CPU does not come with a cooler
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Intel Core i9-11900K Desktop Processor 8 Cores
The CPU mentioned here is an example of Intel’s highly powerful 11th generation CPUs. Intel is also offering some fine options with its 11th generation CPUs.
This 8 core 16 thread CPU from Intel is designed to be overclocked by default. It can be installed on any motherboard that supports the LGA 1200 socket. In second place, we have the Intel Core i9-11900K desktop CPU. Moreover, the 16 MB L3 cache on the Intel Core i9-11900K allows faster data transfer, resulting in faster CPU performance.
With its 14 nm manufacturing process, Intel Core i9-11900K is also similar to most other CPUs designed by Intel and offers great efficiency and decent performance at a lower power consumption compared to most other CPUs. As well as having an integrated UHD 750 graphics controller, the Intel Core i9-11900K is also equipped with boosted clock speeds, allowing it to display high-quality graphics on the display. For most applications, this CPU is pretty powerful considering its 5.3GHz speed, which is faster than most other options mentioned today. Also related: Best X99 CPUs of 2023
Best Features
8 cores, 16 threads
Clock speed maximum of 3 GHz
Rated at 125 watts TDP
The cache capacity is 16 MB
The CPU socket must be LGA 1200
A three-year warranty is included
Pros
In comparison with previous-generation options, this model is relatively power-efficient
Intel’s newest product
Comparatively, it is a cheaper option
Cons
It has a very low cache capacity
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AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Unlocked Desktop Processor
A variety of AMD processor options are available with the 5th generation series to suit a wide range of applications. AMD’s latest generation of CPUs are already quite popular due to their power efficiency and performance.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is our 3rd choice. Although it is also one of the latest offerings from the AMD 5th gen of CPUs, it is much more economical than our previous pick and is meant for applications with lower power requirements. Despite this, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X still has 12 cores and 24 threads, making it one of our top picks for today’s CPUs. As well as that, you’ll get a CPU speed of 4.8 GHz, which ensures at least 100 frames per second in most games, depending on settings in the game.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has a maximum temperature rating of 90°C, which is still manageable with an AIO or liquid cooler. You cannot install this CPU without a cooler, so make sure you buy one alongside the CPU as AMD is not including one. Also, it is compatible with AMD Ryzen CPUs with the AM4 socket, which are high-end CPUs. In addition, the CPU’s cache capacity is 70 MB, just like most of AMD’s other high-end models, making it a better choice in general.
Best Features
It has 12 cores and 24 threads
Clock speed maximum of 8 GHz
Rated at 105 watts TDP
Provides 70 MB of cache
CPU socket AMD AM4 is required
Warranty period of 3 years
Pros
Capacities of high quality
The number of cores is high along with the clock speed
AMD’s most recent option
Cons
Before you can install it, you’ll need a liquid cooling system
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Intel Core i7-10700K Desktop Processor~best cpu to pair with 3080
RTX design from IntelEven though the 11th generation is Intel’s latest offering, many people still prefer the 10th generation for its reliability and performance.Here are some picks from the 10th generation series that are great for RTX gaming.
With its 10th generation series of processors, Intel has created many great CPUs. And since they are available right now, we are featuring the Intel Core i7-10700K as one of our picks. This CPU features eight cores and 16 threads, which is slowly becoming the minimum requirement for heavy AAA games. Although it is a high-profile option, this CPU does not cost as much as other premium options. As well as having a high CPU speed of 5.1 GHz, this CPU also provides great long-term performance.
Even though this CPU only has eight cores, it comes with a TDP of 125 watts, a considerable amount of power. This has always been one of the major drawbacks of Intel CPUs. In addition, thanks to Intel’s TurboBoost Max 3.0 technology, the Intel Core i7-10700K performs quite well under high loads. If you decide to overclock it, you will need even more power input. Almost any motherboard with a LGA 1200 socket will be able to accommodate this CPU, so compatibility issues shouldn’t be a problem.
Best Features
8 cores, 16 threads
Clock speed maximum of 1 GHz
Rated at 125 watts TDP
Provides 16 MB of cache
The CPU socket must be LGA 1200
There is a warranty period of three years on this product
Pros
Even though it is an Intel 10th gen option, this is a great option
There is quite a bit of speed at the maximum clock
Provides support for Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0
Cons
Core count indicates a high TDP
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AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Unlocked Desktop Processor
AMD CPU for RTX5th generation AMD CPUs offer a wide range of options, and they are compatible with some of the most powerful GPUs like RTX 3080, so we will include some more 5th generation AMD CPUs in our picks.
Compared to the other options we have seen so far, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is one of the budget-friendly options. In general, high-performance CPUs are quite expensive. However, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor offers eight cores and 16 threads, despite its relatively low price point. With its clock speed of 4.7 GHz, you will be able to play almost any game with your RTX 3080 graphics card with enjoyable performance.
Any official AMD AM4 rated motherboard will be able to support the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X since it has full support for DDR-3200. In addition to the high-end premium motherboards like the X570, there are also budget-friendly options like the B550. Additionally, it is an unlocked CPU, so you can easily overclock it to get even higher clock speeds. However, you will need to purchase a decent cooler before you can overclock it. AMD does not include one with this CPU. Regarding cache capacity, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is also equipped with 36 MB, a significant advance over its competition.
Best Features
There are 16 threads and 8 cores on this processor
Clock speed maximum of 7 GHz
Rated at 105 watts TDP
Provides a 36MB cache
CPU socket AMD AM4 is required
There is a warranty period of three years on this product
Pros
High-performance gaming performance
It has a high maximum boost speed
An affordable price range with a high core count
Cons
CPU does not include a cooler
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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Unlocked Desktop Processor
The following option from the 5th gen series from AMD is going to be the perfect choice if your budget is tight and you need a high-performance CPU to go with your RTX3080 card.
Here’s the cheapest CPU on our picks, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. This CPU is the cheapest one you can pair with an RTX 3080 without being concerned about performance bottlenecks. With RTX 3080 paired with AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, you are sure to get an enjoyable frame rate while playing every game. It has 6 cores and 12 threads which is definitely capable of performing optimally even when under heavy load.
We have not seen any AMD CPUs with a decent cooler included with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X before. In addition to its efficient cooling performance and low noise rating, the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler offers excellent performance with a low noise level. Despite having only 6 cores, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has only 65 watts of power, which is less than half of other high-profile CPUs. A 35 MB cache is also supported as well as DDR-3200 memory. In addition to its compatibility with AMD AM4, it also supports AMD APUs.
Best Features
It has 6 cores and 12 threads
The maximum boost clock speed is 6 GHz
65 watts of TDP
The cache capacity is 35 MB
CPU socket AMD AM4 is required
There is a warranty period of three years on this product
Pros
The TDP rating is not very high
Compatibility of the RTX 3080 card with the cheapest CPU
Multiple applications performed at a balanced level
Cons
Future applications and games may require more cores
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Intel Core i5-10600K Desktop Processor~best cpu to pair with 3080
If you are looking for a budget CPU from Intel, then the following option is an excellent choice. Intel has a number of CPUs that can be paired with the RTX 3080 card.
In terms of the most affordable CPU alternative from Intel, the Core i5-10600K is one of the most affordable. Due to its previous-gen heritage, this CPU can be purchased at a very affordable price. In spite of its unlocked capabilities, this CPU has a maximum clock speed of 4.8 GHz, so you’ll still get 6 cores and 12 threads, ensuring an effective performance output, even under heavy load. A motherboard with an Intel 400 series chipset can easily accommodate the Intel Core i5-10600K due to its LGA 1200 compatibility.
Additionally, the Intel Core i5-10600K has Intel Optane Memory, which can recognize recurring fields and data and provide faster processing speeds for those fields. Hence, this CPU becomes an excellent choice for general-purpose applications. Additionally, the CPU is equipped with 12 megabytes of cache, which is a decent amount for this price. It has six cores and a clock speed of 4.1 GHz, so the TDP of the CPU is quite high.
Best Features
It has 6 cores and 12 threads
Clock speed maximum of 1 GHz
A 125-watt TDP rating is provided
Cache capacity of 12 MB
CPU socket LGA 1200 is required
There is a warranty period of three years on this product
Pros
An Intel CPU that’s the cheapest
Suitable for a wide range of applications
Gamers have a lot of options
Cons
There is a high TDP
Intel Core i9-10900 Desktop Processor~best cpu to pair with 3080
The final option in our list is a CPU powered by the 10th generation Intel. This is a great choice for those who are looking for a CPU with a high thread count and core count.
We have rounded up our list of best CPUs for RTX 3080 with the Intel Core i9-10900 processor. The CPU has 10 cores and 20 threads thanks to Intel’s hyper-threading technology. With all these specifications, the Intel Core i9-10900 CPU has a TDP of 65 watts, making it a highly power-efficient CPU. The Intel Core i9-10900 is also boosted to 5.2 GHz, which is higher than most CPUs we have seen to date.
In terms of compatibility with LGA 1200 CPU sockets and Intel 400 series chipset motherboards, the Intel Core i9-10900 has similar features to the other Intel options on our list. A 65 MB cache is also included along with Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology, which allows it to run at a high speed. The Intel Optane Memory is also available for faster recurring performance. To deliver the best value for money, Intel is also providing a cooler with the CPU, which eliminates the need to purchase one immediately.
Best Features
A 10 core, 20 thread processor
Clock speed maximum of 2 GHz
65 watts of TDP
A 65 MB cache is available
The CPU socket must be LGA 1200
There is a warranty period of three years on this product
Pros
The cooler comes with the unit
There is a low rating for TDP
There is a very high clock speed
Cons
Even though it’s a 10th generation model, it’s quite expensive
Buying Guide For best CPU to pair with 3080
CPUs play a very important role in the overall performance of your computer, aside from other components.
It is still important to consider other components to get a balanced performance, even for activities such as gaming that don’t completely rely on the CPU.
You need to choose the right CPU if you’re building a high-end system with an impressive graphics card like the RTX 3080. In our list of compatible CPUs for the RTX 3080 graphics card, you’ll find the best choices. We will discuss some key parameters of the processor as well as its relationship with the GPU in our buying guide if you are unsure which option to choose.
1. Core and Thread Count
The number of cores and threads in a CPU is one of the most important parameters. The performance capability of a CPU differs from its competitors on the market, which can be assessed by examining the number of cores and threads. Generally, a CPU with more cores and threads will prove to be more efficient in the long run than one with fewer cores and threads.
It would be advantageous for future games that will become increasingly demanding as time passes, even if you pair the unit with an RTX 3080 graphics card for casual gaming. Nevertheless, if you need a budget-friendly CPU, you can still select a CPU with 6 cores and 12 threads. This CPU will suffice for most current PC games.
2. Clock Speed
A CPU’s clock speed determines its performance capacity similar to its core count and thread count. However, while the number of cores tells you about the CPU’s load capacity, the clock speed gives you an idea about how fast it can perform. CPU clock speeds are based on GHz units, with higher ratings representing faster CPUs.
It will take the GPU less time to complete a task if your CPU has a faster output, so the image can be rendered sooner. The faster your CPU, the faster you’ll be able to play whichever game you’re playing. As we’re looking to pair the CPU with an RTX 3080 card, you’ll want to make sure you choose the fastest card within your price range.
3. Cache Capacity
While buying a new CPU, a lot of people ignore the cache capacity. It can influence the CPU’s performance and speed for a given task, as well as its performance for video rendering, multitasking, encoding and decoding, etc. For heavy usage such as video rendering, multitasking, and encoding and decoding, you need a higher cache capacity in your CPU. If you are going to play games, your CPU’s cache capacity must be moderate to high in order to meet the GPU’s demands.
For entry-level budget CPUs, cache capacities are typically 20 to 30 MB, which are probably adequate for now, but may not be sufficient in the future. Meanwhile, premium high-end CPU models have cache capacities up to 70 MB or 80 MB, so they perform significantly better in many types of applications, including rendering, gaming, and multitasking.
4. TDP
A CPU’s thermal design power, also known as TDP, is a crucial parameter. When purchasing a laptop, the buyer looks only for the TDP rating of the processor. However, it is equally important for desktop processors. The power supply unit of a desktop computer has to be strong enough to supply sufficient power to all of your components when you install it.
It is possible that if you choose a CPU with a high TDP, the graphics card will be hindered by a lot of power consumption from the PSU. Therefore, before choosing a PSU for your system, you must carefully consider the TDP of the CPU. If you are installing a graphics card with a TDP of 320 watts on your system, you should pay particular attention to the TDP of your CPU. The PSU you choose should either have a low to medium TDP rating, or a high to high TDP rating, depending on your system.
5. Reliability
Every new generation of CPUs is getting more and more expensive. Even on this list today, you will find a variety of CPUs, some of which are quite comparable to the MSRP of an RTX 3080 card, if not more. In order to make sure your unit lasts a long time and does not cause any problems in the future, the reliability of the unit becomes a major factor. If you want to be sure, you should carefully check how long the warranty period is for the CPU you’re considering purchasing.
It is fortunate that nearly every Intel and AMD processor on the market today comes with a warranty period of 3 years, which ensures that the unit will perform and perform reliably for years to come. Despite the fact that most of the CPU options only have a 3-year warranty period, it is not a concern, since CPUs usually do not cause any problems for about a decade.
If you want to ensure that the CPU’s temperature levels remain within the design limit, you need to take care of its thermal performance. For that, you should pair the CPU with a proper cooling system and check the status of the thermal paste installed on the unit after a fixed time interval.
What about older CPUs?
If you have an 8700K or better CPU, as well as a Ryzen 7 2700X or higher, you should not experience any CPU bottlenecks with the RTX 3080. Although older Intel and AMD CPUs are capable of rendering 1440p and 4K, do be aware that some newer games will be heavily bottlenecked by older CPUs.
Those trends will continue, so even though four core processors and older six-core processors work well right now, future AAA games will suffer from heavy CPU bottlenecks. Older CPUs, like the i3 10100 or Ryzen 3 3300X, will cause stuttering at 4K, while four-core i7s will.
How much faster is the RTX 3080 compared to the RTX 2080?
A comparison of the RTX 3080 with the RTX 2080 is not accurate. In terms of performance, the RTX 3080 is about 50% faster at 1440p and 70% faster at 4K, according to Nvidia’s promotional materials. A specific productivity benchmark indicates that it is twice as fast as a RTX 2080.
Does the RTX 3080 support PCIe 4.0 and will it work on a PCIe 3.0 motherboard?
This card is compatible with PCIe 4.0 and, yes, it can be used on PCIe 3.0 boards. There is very little difference in games between RTX 3080 and PCIe 4.0 models, so you don’t need to worry about that.
Does the RTX 3080 support HDMI 2.1 and will it work on older HDMI standards?
You can get up to seven frames per second over HDMI with the RTX 3080, but it will not work with older HDMI standards. Always check which HDMI standard your monitor supports to see what the maximum resolution is.
At the moment, only certain TVs support HDMI 2.1. There is only a single monitor available for pre-order but don’t expect it to arrive until early 2021.
Which RTX 3080 should I buy?
Even if you buy a premium RTX 3080 card, you might only be able to get a few extra frames if you overclock it. Apparently the Ampere architecture isn’t very good at overclocking.
Almost every RTX 3080 card will simply perform well running modern games if it is combined with one of the best CPUs for RTX 3080 on our list. We have the best RTX 3080 graphics cards guide. Take a look and find out if it is right for your budget. All of these cards will perform brilliantly when combined with any of our best CPUs for RTX 3080.