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01Best overall CPU for RX 7800 XTBest overall CPU for RX 7800 XT
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02Best budget CPU for RX 7800 XTBest budget CPU for RX 7800 XT
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03Best premium CPU for RX 7800 XTBest premium CPU for RX 7800 XT
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04Best mid range CPU for RX 7800 XTBest mid range CPU for RX 7800 XT
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05Best AMD CPU for RX 7800 XTBest AMD CPU for RX 7800 XT
Got the latest RX 7800 XT? Make sure you pair it with the best CPU for RX 7800 XT to get the ideal gaming experience.
The RX 7800 XT is AMD’s latest entry to their RX 70-series graphics cards. The GPU is perfect for competitive 1440p gaming, along with a decent 4K experience. It has 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM paired with 3840 cores to provide high framerates across different resolutions. Given the performance of the RX 7800 XT, it would be unfair to pair it with an inadequate CPU.
That’s why we have rounded up the best CPU for RX 7800 XT. We got help from Jack Howarth, our in-house CPU expert, who loves to test and review the latest processors. With Jack’s guidance, we were able to enlist these processors ranging from budget to the most premium.
Best CPU for RX 7800 XT at a glance
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
4.2GHz
Boost speed
5GHz
Cache
96MB
Wattage
120W
Intel Core i5-13400F
Cores
10
Threads
16
Base speed
2.5GHz
Boost speed
4.6GHz
Cache
20MB
Wattage
65W
Intel Core i7-13700K
Cores
16
Threads
24
Base speed
3.4GHz
Boost speed
5.4GHz
Cache
30MB
Wattage
253W
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base speed
4.7GHz
Boost speed
5.3GHz
Cache
32MB
Wattage
105W
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
3.4GHz
Boost speed
4.5GHz
Cache
100MB
Wattage
105W
If you are looking for an affordable CPU then we’ve had included a budget and a mid-range option. If you are still seeking a cheaper choice, we’d recommend having a look at the best budget CPU.
Best overall CPU for RX 7800 XT
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
4.2GHz
Boost speed
5GHz
Cache
96MB
Wattage
120W
- Exceptional gaming performance
- Plenty of L3 cache
- Adequate power consumption
- Locked multiplier
The best overall CPU for RX 7800 XT is the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D. It is considered the best CPU for gaming right now, all thanks to the additional L3 cache stacked on top of the CPU die. As a result, the processor has a L3 cache capacity of 96MB, which blows all other competition out of the water.
While you also get 8 cores, 16 threads, and a high 5.0GHz boost clock speed, it’s the L3 cache that most games love, and that’s why the Ryzen 7 7800X3D performs so flawlessly in AAA titles. Of course, it comes with a side effect, and that is its locked multiplier. This means you cannot overclock the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. However, given its performance, there is not really a need to do it in the first place.
The X3D variants also come with a relatively low TDP, and that is evident in the 7800X3D as well because the CPU is rated for 120W. This does not mean you need a top-tier expensive cooler, but it also does not mean a budget thermal solution will cut it. All things considered, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the perfect all-rounder to handle the RX 7800 XT.
Best budget CPU for RX 7800 XT
Intel Core i5-13400F
Cores
10
Threads
16
Base speed
2.5GHz
Boost speed
4.6GHz
Cache
20MB
Wattage
65W
- Very affordable
- Good performance
- Supports both DDR4 and DDR5
- No integrated GPU
If you’re after the best budget CPU for RX 7800 XT, then the Intel Core i5-13400F is perfect for the job. Even though the processor is considerably more affordable than the rest, it still manages to achieve high framerates from its 10 cores and 16 threads. In addition to that, the i5-13400F also benefits significantly from its high clock speeds of 3.30GHz (Efficient cores) and 4.60GHz (Performance cores).
Being a pocket-friendly CPU, the i5-13400F comes bundled with the Intel Laminar RHA1 cooler, saving you a bunch of money on a separate cooler. However, if you want to explore more options, then you can check our guide on the best budget CPU coolers.
Since the i5-13400F is based LGA1700 socket, it is compatible with previous-gen motherboards as well as DDR4 RAM. Therefore, you can opt for an Intel 600-series board and DDR4 RAM for the ultimate budget solution. Keeping all of these factors in mind, including the excellent gaming performance you get, it is a no-brainer that the Core i5-13400F is the best budget CPU for RX 7800 XT.
Intel Core i7-13700K
Cores
16
Threads
24
Base speed
3.4GHz
Boost speed
5.4GHz
Cache
30MB
Wattage
253W
- DDR5 supported
- High-end performance
- Can be overclocked
- High power draw
When it comes to the best premium CPU for RX 7800 XT, the Intel Core i7-13700K takes the crown. The processor goes all-in to provide the ultimate gaming experience possible, and once paired with the RX 7800 XT, your PC will be unstoppable. You can throw any latest and greatest game at it, and the PC will run it at 4K without any hiccups.
What makes the i7-13700K so high-end is its 16 cores and 24 threads. Among these 16 cores, there are 8 Performance and 8 Efficiency cores, where the Performance cores can clock at up to 5.40GHz. Such a high boost speed paired with a good number of cores is what gives the i7-13700K its excellent performance. Apart from that, the processor also utilizes its 30MB cache to the best of its abilities for the ideal experience.Given the performance of the i7-13700K, it should come as no surprise that the CPU has high power consumption, so make sure you go for the best cooler for gaming, preferably an AIO, to keep it running at optimal temperatures during gaming. All in all, if you want the best high-end gaming experience, then you need to pair your RX 7800 XT with an i7-13700K.
Best mid range CPU for RX 7800 XT
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base speed
4.7GHz
Boost speed
5.3GHz
Cache
32MB
Wattage
105W
- Affordable and high quality
- Brilliant clock speeds
- Not the most powerful
The best mid range CPU for RX 7800 XT is the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X. If you don’t want to spend top-dollar on an i7-13700K, then the Ryzen 5 7600X is a great alternative. It offers both good pricing and high performance. First up, the processor comes with 6 cores and 12 threads, but that’s not its most impressive feature, that title goes to the clock speeds.
These 6 cores can clock at up to 5.3GHz, while hovering at a base speed of 4.7GHz, that’s certainly quite impressive, and such high speeds are what sets the Ryzen 5 7600X apart from its competition. Plus, since it uses the latest Zen 4 architecture, you can enjoy the extra benefits of DDR5 RAM and AMD EXPO Technology.
Another reason why the Ryzen 5 7600X performs so well in AAA titles is its 32MB cache. While it is not as much as the Ryzen 3D V-Cache processors, it is higher than many other CPUs priced in the same ballpark. As for the power consumption and cooling, the CPU is rated for 105W. Therefore, you don’t need a high-end AIO to keep it from thermal throttling. Overall, the pricing and the performance makes the Ryzen 5 7600X the perfect choice for mid range gamers. It packs just enough performance to work flawlessly with the RX 7800 XT.
Best AMD CPU for RX 7800 XT
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
3.4GHz
Boost speed
4.5GHz
Cache
100MB
Wattage
105W
- Extra cache
- Good power efficiency
- Affordable platform
- Locked multiplier
The best AMD CPU for RX 7800 XT has to be the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Since you’re getting the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT, pairing with an equally good AMD processor will be like a match made in heaven, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D achieves that exceptionally well. There are several reasons why we picked the this processor as the best AMD CPU for RX 7800 XT, and the biggest one is its performance.
Since this is an X3D variant, its gaming performance is out of this world. The processor comes with 96MB of L3 cache, and that means you can throw any AAA title at it and it will knock it out of the park. There are also 8 cores, and 16 threads and a boost clock speed of 4.5GHz, all of which combined give this processor one of the best price-to-performance ratio.
We said there are several reasons why we have picked this CPU, and the second is its price. By price, we don’t meant just the processer’s price, but the overall platform cost. Since the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is based on the Zen 3 architecture, you need an AM4 motherboard with DDR4 RAM for it, and these components offer some of the best value for money. Apart from that, its 105W TDP means you don’t need to spend big bucks on a CPU cooler, either. The only downside to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is its zero overclocking potential, but if you can look past it, there is no CPU more suited as the best AMD CPU for RX 7800 XT than this.
What is the best CPU for 7800 XT gaming?
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best CPU for 7800 XT gaming, it has 96MB of L3 cache which gives it a significant advantage in high-end gaming. Plus, the CPU is compatible with DDR5 RAM.
Is 7800 XT overkill for 1440p?
The RX 7800 XT is intended for competitive 1440p gaming with decent 4K performance. Therefore, no, it is not overkill for 1440p.
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