Best CPU for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
With the release of the latest GPU from Nvidia, the RTX 3080, gamers around the world started looking for the best RTX 3080 CPU. Not only is the Nvidia 3800 the latest, but this GPU unit is also the greatest option for 4K gaming.
The RTX 3080 builds require a powerful PSU, so you may need to upgrade your entire system to take advantage of the new graphics card. Hereafter, you don't need to wander around the internet in search of the best gaming CPU for RTX 3080.
I'm here to help you decide what CPU do you need for RTX 3080 to run the graphics card to its fullest potential? Before, I suggest learning what features exactly you need to make a CPU work well with this particular graphics card; I'll add all these things to the buying guide. After that, go through the specs and reviews of the recommended CPU.
Thus only you can make a smart choice. Let's dive into the discussion without further delay!
Table of Contents
- LIST OF THE RECOMMENDED CPU FOR RTX 3080
- 8 BEST CPU FOR RTX 3080
- INTEL CORE I9-12900K - OVERALL BEST CPU TO PAIR WITH 3080
- INTEL CORE I7-12700K - BEST VALUE FOR MONEY CPU FOR 3080
- AMD RYZEN 9 5900X - BEST RYZEN CPU FOR GAMING
- INTEL CORE I5-11400F - BEST BUDGET CPU FOR 3080
- AMD RYZEN 9 3900X - BEST AMD CPU FOR 3080
- AMD RYZEN 7 5800X - BEST AMD CPU FOR RTX 3080
- INTEL CORE I5-12600K - BEST GAMING CPU FOR RTX 3080
- AMD RYZEN 5 5600X - BEST RYZEN PROCESSOR FOR 3080
- FACTORS YOU MUST CHECK BEFORE BUYING A CPU FOR RTX 3080
- FAQ
- CONCLUSION
LIST OF THE RECOMMENDED CPU FOR RTX 3080
8 BEST CPU FOR RTX 3080
1
INTEL CORE I9-12900K - OVERALL BEST CPU TO PAIR WITH 3080
Features
The 12900K Intel CPU is considered one of the best flagship CPUs for gaming and multi-threaded workloads. The new architecture and the highest clock speed will give you an amazing gaming experience.
The newly launched hybrid architecture integrates two core families (8P+8E) into a single unit to keep running everything smoothly, no matter how heavy the application is that you're running in your RTX 3080 builds.
The P-cores are dedicated to single or lightly threaded workloads; enhance productivity, and push gameplay to a new height. The E-cores handle multi-threaded performance and reduce interruptions from secondary tasks.
The micro-architecture makes this Intel CPU power-efficient by improving per-watt-performance, though it becomes more power-hungry than others during gaming.
However, this 12900K flagship Intel CPU is undoubtedly efficient for gaming, even much faster and cheaper than the AMD flagship CPUs.
Another best part of this CPU is that it doesn't require a super-expensive motherboard. A mid-range budget option is sufficient to run high-end games on this Intel CPU.
However, I've tested RTX 3080 card with this CPU and played the next-gen games at 1440P resolution, trust me, I found it the best CPU under max load. With that said, I also suggest installing an efficient cooling solution before putting it at maximum load.
Pros
Cons
2
INTEL CORE I7-12700K - BEST VALUE FOR MONEY CPU FOR 3080
Features
The Intel Core i7-12700K is my second pick for those; who want something at a mid-range price; that can handle both multi-threaded workloads and high-end games.
When it comes to the game, the 12700K is slightly less or sometimes as fast as the Intel 12900K. The two are very close in multi-thread workloads, though the 12700K works faster than the AMD 5900X in most scenarios.
The best thing about the 12700K is it doesn't require a high-end air cooler or super-expensive 360mm AIO. A quality 240mm AIO will be more than enough to handle multi-threaded workloads.
Another best part of this cheaper Intel chipset is the integrated UHD Graphics controller, which boosts visual and graphic quality. The CPU comes equipped with the latest Core i7, though this version is pretty close to the i9 Core in stuff like Blender or Adobe Premiere that I couldn't even expect from such an affordable option.
If you want the best Intel CPU for gaming without spending a ton of cash, I would like to recommend this Core i7 12700K overall options no matter what you plan on using it for.
Pros
Cons
3
AMD RYZEN 9 5900X - BEST RYZEN CPU FOR GAMING
Features
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is my first preference when thinking about the best processor that gives the best gaming pleasure. It has the best processor for 3080, which is specifically designed for gaming enthusiasts.
With 24 processing threads and 12 cores, the CPU is quite capable of multitasking and running heavy-load applications. So, I use it while rendering 3D or video, as well as compiling software. The video encoding process in AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is fast enough.
It uses a 105 watts OSU unit, which has a pretty low power consumption. It is completely safe for overclocking. I often use this CPU in times of doing multitask or being busy with games.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X works impressively with an AMD 500 series motherboard, and the Bios update is effortless enough. The 70 MB L3 Cache feeds its L2 Cache, which again feeds its L1 Cache that feeds the processor boosting the performance.
Along with the fastest desktop processor, it exclusively has a master feature; that allows it to access temperature, fan speed, CPU frequency, switchable profile, fine-tuning, memory timings, and core voltages easily.
So, being an employee who works from home, I would suggest this Ryzen CPU to those; who have ordinary to high workloads at home. It really helps me overcome daily hurdles established due to the inexistence of a professional workstation.
Pros
Cons
4
INTEL CORE I5-11400F - BEST BUDGET CPU FOR 3080
Features
Looking for a minimum CPU for 3080 at a reasonable price? It's understandable that you'll want lots of saving on everything to buy the newly launched RTX 3080, the fastest graphics card ever. The Intel Core i5-11400F has an RTX 3080 compatible processor, so you can use the new graphics card for fast-paced gaming, but try to stay under 1080P resolution.
In addition to the capabilities of hard-core gaming, it is literally a king for daily usage, even for multitasking. I often keep things open in the background, but the processor never struggles to handle such multiple tasks.
Once I've tested a high-end game; unfortunately, it bottlenecks my graphics card. Then, I upgraded the system to increase the processor speed; trust me, the result just surprised me.
If budget is your concern, this CPU will benefit you in some other ways, as well. For instance, you've to pay less for the motherboard for RTX 3080. This CPU works efficiently with mid-range B560 and the budget cooling system.
Considering the word 'minimum', I'm expecting you won't go beyond 1080P or game in 1080P. If yes, then the Core i5-11400F is just for you.
Pros
Cons
5
AMD RYZEN 9 3900X - BEST AMD CPU FOR 3080
FEATURES
Being a gamer, I always find AMD Ryzen 9 3900X most attractive in terms of multitasking efficiency and processing speed according to the price.
This AMD Ryzen 9 3900X delivers a high-end, fast and easy performance during multicore tasking as it has 12 cores and 24 threads. So, it can handle different computing tasks at once.
It offers a 64MB L3 cache that enhances the speed and the performance. Hence, it is worthwhile either for rendering, streaming, or editing any video for normal workload or gaming purposes.
It has a 70MB game cache that offers me the performance without glitching or any interruption in the computing system. Being a game enthusiast, I am highly overwhelmed by this CPU, especially when I tried a few next-gen games on RTX 3080.
It has the feature of color control LED support that enhances the graphic quality. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X exclusively arrives with an attractive LED cooler, which gives a soothing light.
It can be operated from the base frequency of 3.8GHz to a maximum frequency of 4.6GHz, which means it is also safe for overclocking.
So, the central processing unit system of this CPU can retrieve and interpret the instruction swiftly. It is a robust CPU that allows multitasking, like - commenting or listening to music simultaneously while playing a game.
Hence, I highly prefer this CPU for gaming multitasking without being interrupted. It's my savior when I catch up with extra workloads. Moreover, it makes my gaming rig outstanding; that you'll appreciate for sure.
Pros
Cons
6
AMD RYZEN 7 5800X - BEST AMD CPU FOR RTX 3080
FEATURES
As a computer enthusiast, I found this AMD CPU best for building a new system, with which my friend upgraded his gaming rig. The 8-core gaming processor boosts 4.7GHz turbo frequency to let you reach the maximum performance during gaming or encrypting high-resolution video or streaming videos in top-class quality. No doubt that it has the best processor in the market, making it highly recommendable for hard-core gamers.
The master utility enables a real-time approach with CPU frequencies, core voltage, fan speeds, temperatures, and effortless switchable profiles. No matter what the settings or resolution are, you can always expect the best performance from this CPU.
However, I've checked others' reviews; some users appreciated its' outstanding performance and perfectly maintained temperature, though I found shortcomings in this matter. With the integrated cooling system, it gets a bit warm, so I recommend using a better cooler with it.
Pros
Cons
7
INTEL CORE I5-12600K - BEST GAMING CPU FOR RTX 3080
FEATURES
The Core i5-12600K performs almost as fast as the Intel 12900K but comes equipped with a cooling solution and costs you just a fraction of the price.
I strongly believe that the Intel 12600K also will be a clear winner compared to the similarly priced Ryzen 3080 CPUs. The ten-core hybrid architecture improves power efficiency, whereas the graphics controller enhances visual quality.
The Intel 12600K is a solid choice for gaming, video streaming, and occasional video editing tasks, but it's not for professional video editors. I think it can give you the fastest performance to do heavy work regularly.
At the end of the day, it has the best gaming processor and 3080 motherboard compatibility, making it king as a gaming computer.
Pros
Cons
8
AMD RYZEN 5 5600X - BEST RYZEN PROCESSOR FOR 3080
FEATURES
Searching for a gaming CPU that allows your middle-class pocket without altering your soul love for games? Look at the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 6-core.
It offers elite 100 plus FPS performance, which allows you to run the most popular games smoothly. It consists of System Memory Type DDR4 that allows it to transfer data faster and operate at lower voltages when compared to the previous generation of DDR4.
The CPU enhances the overall system speed and reduces the screen loading time of any computer game.
It has 32MB cache memory that improves performance during games. It has an advanced Socket AM4 which supports B550 and PCIe 4.0 on X570 motherboards.
Its 7nm lithography feature allows it to compute fast and helps to play games swiftly. Under the BIOS update, it can work with a b450m ds3h mobo. It exclusively comes with an AMD Wraith Stealth cooler, so you don't need to invest extra to upgrade the cooling system.
It is less expensive when compared to the CPU having the same features. If you have ever wished to upgrade your gaming rig or play the latest games on RTX 3080 graphics card, but your limited budget is pushing you back, don't let the budget come in your way. Just make it happen with this reasonably priced CPU.
Pros
Cons
FACTORS YOU MUST CHECK BEFORE BUYING A CPU FOR RTX 3080
As a passionate gamer, you must want a high-speed gaming unit. Unfortunately, a single-core or dual-core processor can't provide you the speed; that you need to win the match.
So, I'll suggest going for the CPUs with an RTX 3080 compatible motherboard; that supports a minimum of 12 cores and 24 threads. Because the more core count your CPU has, the more it will provide faster working in heavy applications.
The RTX 3080 CPU never gets bottlenecked, even while playing the most demanding high graphic games at 1440p or 4K with no buffering.
The RTX 3080 has already proved itself as the best graphics card, but you will need a CPU with a faster processing speed to take its' advantage.
So, make sure the CPU you are going to choose for the 3080 RTX PC has a good clock speed to process the high-end games without any lag during gaming.
Take a note; the RTX 3080 runs well at a 1560 MHz base frequency and a boost clock speed of 1860 MHz.
As you know, the gaming PCs, even the best CPU for gaming, creates relatively more heat during processing heavy applications. So, ensure you've selected the best CPU for 3080; that supports low TDP, generates less heat, as well as has a cooling fan to keep the unit cool.
Intel and AMD – these two brands are available on the market to deliver the best working according to the RTX 3080 CPU specifications. The choice of brand depends on you. Both have a power-boasting sleek design with a good structure; that offers similar gaming efficiency for heavy applications.
Keep in mind that Overclocking is super exciting but dangerous, though I've tested that 750 PSU 80 platinum is safe enough for overclocking RTX 3080 CPU.
Even though; a 650W platinum power supply would also work, but not provides such optimal performance you need for overclocking the unit. According to NVIDIA, a CPU unit should have a minimum 850W PSU to run an I9 and 3080 together.
The socket type defines the efficiency of mechanical connection for the peripheral devices. The LGA and PGA sockets create the most reliable connection, so ensure your chosen CPU supports one of these above-written sockets.
FAQ
1. Is the 3080 compatible with my CPU?
The RTX 3080 builds require at least a 650W power supply unit with two 8-pin power connectors, a power consumption unit with a rated board TDP of 320W, 16GB of RAM, and a top-end processor for optimal performance.
2. What RTX 3080 has the best performance?
The ASUS RTX 3080 STRIX is definitely the way to go if you want the best of the best, and the ZOTAC RTX 3080 Trinity could be the best regarding price-to-performance. However, the MSI's Gaming X Trio or ASUS' TUF Gaming, and Gigabyte's Eagle are a few great choices.
3. Will a 3080 bottleneck CPU?
No! I've tested several games on the RTX 3080 Ti and RTX 3080 build at max or ultra settings, and all RTX 3080 CPUs passed with flying colors. Sometimes the i7 7700K CPUs could bottleneck the RTX 3080 at 4K.
4. Is a 3080 a high-end?
The RTX 3080 is the best graphics card available yet, for handling next-generation 4K gaming.
5. Is RTX 3080 good for gaming?
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 is meant for running high-end PC games at higher resolutions with faster refresh rates for less money.
CONCLUSION
So, these are my recommendations for RTX 3080 CPUs PC build; that I've tried and tested before writing a single line in favor of them. Hopefully, you liked it.
However, the gaming PC build isn't easy and affordable yet, so I suggest checking out every spec with their pros and cons according to your gaming needs before making your purchasing decision.
Besides RTX 3080 CPUs, if you want to check out the best CPU for rtx 3070 or 3090, keep checking this website. We'll come with other high-end gaming CPUs in short.
