Best CPU for RTX 3090
Do you have an amazing list of high-end games? I’m pretty sure that you are obsessed with their high-end graphics. Great! Me too! Happy to meet you mate.
But tell me one thing; are you really all set to play the games? I think maybe not! That’s why you’re here in search of the best gaming CPU. Right?
Seriously, it feels really irritating if the CPU and graphics card can’t do justice to such outstanding graphical visuals. That's why; most of my friends have switched to the RTX 3090 and updated our system accordingly.
It’s great that you’ve already decided to do so. However, worry no more! I’m here to reach you to the best CPUs right now for RTX 3090.
Today, I've presented a list of some of the best gaming CPUs in 2022 based on my experience and supportive customer reviews to help you out. But I suggest going through the buying guide first before checking out the recommendation models. It will help you decide which one will be the best for you.
LIST OF THE RECOMMENDED CPU FOR RTX 3090
Best CPU for RTX 3090
1
Intel Core i9-12900K: Best CPU for 4K Gaming
Features
Have issues while playing games with RTX 3090? Here is a surprise for you!
The Intel Core i9-12900K holds the fastest gaming processor in the world, which is absolutely strong for gaming purposes. Since I have been using the best 1440P CPUs, luckily, this year I jumped to this 4K gaming CPU.
I swear there is a hell and heaven difference between them. The photorealistic imagery and stunning graphics of the new-gen 4K games have already become life-like, but sometimes it slow-downs the system or processes tremendous heat and badly forces me to stop gaming in short.
Luckily, this CPU could reach up to 5.2 GHz and delivers super-fast gaming speed, thanks to the Intel 7 Architecture.
The temperature of the system does not touch even 80 degrees centigrade; since it consumes less wattage to run. Moreover, it comes with a decent cooling system.
The 30 MB L3 Cache improves page loading time and overall performance. Hence, the system can perform excellently after a very short access time.
The Intel Core i9-12900K is worth buying for the future, though it might seem to be a little expensive. When you’ve decided to switch to the RTX 3090, it’s pretty expected that you are less bothered about the price compared to the feature set.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Easy to install
- Super-fast performance as advertised
- Fine with temperature, does not go beyond 80 degrees centigrade while playing due to its decent air cooler
- Major FPS boost in gaming
- Cheap but intact packaging and a low courier cost
- Worth buying for the future
2
AMD RYZEN 9 5950X: BEST MOTHERBOARD FOR RTX 3090
Features
Here is another best flagship solution for gaming and multi-threaded workloads, the Intel Core i9-12900K. It is one of the best Nvidia CPUs going after Intel; that meets all system requirements of the RTX 3090 GPU unit.
The combination of the Nvidia graphics card with an AMD processor is still the best option out there for gaming workstations and product usage. Even though its offerings are a bit lower than Intel’s latest offerings, I still prefer it sometimes over Intel. Because it has more thread count and consumes less power.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X has introduced the best processor ever including 32 threaded 16 cores; that provide up to 100 FPS plus performance speed. Impressive! Isn’t it?
The clock speeds of up to 3.4 GHz base and 4.9 GHz boost are great for gaming and multi-tasking both. I believe that splashing a lot of cash into a single gaming system wouldn’t be a worthwhile investment for the future.
The CPU creates a favorable situation while playing games or editing, or doing other office work in heavy-loaded applications opening multiple Firefox tabs at a single time. There you’ll not experience any unwanted speed lag or accidental hang or shuttering of the CPU.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Runs smoothly at
- ultra-high graphics settings
- You won't need to
- upgrade the system for a long time
- No heating or slow-down performance issue
- Supports PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards
- Supports CPU and RAM
- overclocking
3
Intel Core i7-12700K: Best Performing CPU
Features
After an overall solution for gaming and multitasking, I’m again going back to a high-end 12th gen Intel CPU; specifically designed for gaming. It is the best CPU for 1440P gaming; that comes with an affordable price tag.
Its’ offerings might not be the highest, but the 12 core and 20 thread design with a 3.6 GHz base clock speed are great for gaming and general productivity tasks. However, you could try the new-gen 4K gaming, as well as it supports unlocking up to a 5.0 GHz boost.
Another great thing about this processor is that the micro-architecture enables a 10nm processor, makes it highly power-efficient and provides excellent performance per wattage while playing games.
So this CPU is a suitable partner of RTX 3090 and helps provide impressive graphic effects in games within a short time when combined with the same.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Power-efficient
- Faster turbo boost
- Built-in Intel UHD Graphics controller
- Improved onboard graphics
- Highly-efficient
- processing and system performance
4
AMD RYZEN 7 5800X: BEST AMD RYZEN GAMING CPU
Features
AMD-Ryzen-5800X is my favorite choice while searching for a good Ryzen 3090 CPU. It has the fastest 8-core AMD processor.
As the CPU is based on the ‘Zen 3’ architecture of AMD’s latest generation, it serves better in gaming compared to the other intel’s 10 gen CPU of the same price.
The CPU works best with the 64-bit Windows 10 operating system, which is more efficient to handle various data simultaneously when compared to a 32-bit OS.
The 8-cores 16-thread processor is capable enough to tackle multiple heavy-load tasks without slowing down the system or causing any severe accidental shutdown; that we fear facing while playing the new-gen games. Hence, I consider this CPU as the perfect company for RTX 3090.
With a 4.7 GHz max boost feature, the CPU lets you overclock the RAM and system during working with heavy-loaded applications.
So, if you want an unperturbed and responsive gaming experience with your high-end RTX 3090 gaming card, look no further than the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- A lower TDP rating produces low heat and consumes a minimal power
- Cheaper than others with the same performance
- Suitable for hard-core gaming and multitasking
- 36 MB cache provides the largest gaming performance gains
- Reliable peripheral connection through AM4 socket
5
AMD RYZEN THREADRIPPER 3960X: BEST PERFORMING CPU
FEATURES
Are you planning to build a powerful workstation? Keep your hand on this AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X. It excels at machine learning, video rendering, and other general productivity-related stuff with RTX GPUs.
When others struggle while doing such heavy-loaded tasks on RTX 3090 GPU, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X will work smoothly.
It is well equipped with Zen 2 architecture. Hence it provides high performance with low power consumption while playing games with RTX 3090.
This 3090 computer build system featured a higher core and thread count of 24 cores and 48 processing threads, which provides better performance for gaming and multi-threaded workload (rendering, compiling, encoding streaming, etc.) than others with the same price.
The max turbo frequency of 4.5 GHz of the CPU helps achieve high FPS features with minimum input lag.
140 MB L3 Cache memory of the CPU allows the system to hold enough of the data that are used frequently and call back them in no time when you call them later.
As you know, the L3 Cache is a faster memory; that can be accessed more swiftly than RAM, so it helps to enhance the overall speed.
Another good thing about this CPU is - it has full PCIe 4.0 support. In summary, I found the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X could be the best choice for pairing with RTX 3090.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The value of TDP (280 watts) helps to shed heat without being overheated and helps to work fast
- 48 threads and 24 cores of the CPU serve excellent performance not only to the gamer but also to the serious designers.
- Featured with Quad Channel Memory and ECC Memory Support
- Provides fast performance in 3D Ray Tracing and well graphic effects in a reasonable price range
- The CPU has PCIe Gen 4 connectivity
6
INTEL CORE I5-12600K: BEST INTEL CPU FOR GAMING 2022
FEATURES
While searching for the best compatible CPU for RTX 3090 within a low price range, I found the Intel Core i5-12600K useful.
This Intel CPU comes with 10 physical hybrid cores and 16 threads, which serves hyper-threading architecture. Despite having a low core and thread count, this CPU provides a good FPS rating, which is necessary for playing heavy games like Total war game or Paradox. You can even pair it with the highest-end RTX 3090 graphics card to play new-gen games.
The CPU integrates the two different core families in a single system and thus fulfills all of our gaming needs at a low price.
Since the system has a max turbo frequency of up to 4.9 GHz, it allows e to run other uninterrupted secondary applications in the background with the highest clock speed.
Like the previous Intel CPUs, it also comes with an Intel UHD graphics controller; that enhances the quality of graphics and stunning visuals of the animated games without pixelating a single dot.
The system is featured by Intel Thread Detector, which can prioritize and detect the right core to handle any job and manage workloads by sending them accordingly.
There is no doubt that this CPU will serve you the best while gaming by pairing with RTX 3090. The best part, it takes care of our middle-class pocket.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Intel 7 architecture provides great performance with power efficiency
- Built-in Intel UHD controller ensures the good graphic effect
- The temperature does not go beyond 50 degrees centigrade
- Reasonable price for excellent features
- Both cores have a separate overclocking control system to ensure brief personalization.
FACTORS YOU MUST CHECK BEFORE BUYING A CPU FOR RTX 3090
No doubt, only a quality RTX 3090 PC build lets you enjoy the new-gen games at their best. Here, the question is not like – what’s a good CPU? Or What's the best CPU for gaming?
Find the answer to what makes them the best CPU to pair with RTX 3090 chip.
Before everything, make sure your chosen CPU has a higher core and thread count. The CPU with at least 16 cores and 32 threads could handle multitasking and heavy multi-threaded workloads while working with RTX 3090.
Two CPUs with the same core and thread count couldn’t work similarly; one worked faster and better than the others because of its higher clock speed. So, go for the CPU; that offers maximum clock speed.
You may have noticed two types of clock speed ratings are there – base and max turbo. A higher base clock speed like 3.7 GHz is better for multi-thread tasks, and a 5.2 GHz boost speed is better for gaming.
Suppose there are two CPUs, having such frequencies as - up to 3.7 GHz base with 4.8 GHz boost and up to 2.4 GHz base with 5.2 GHz boost. The first one will work overall well for gaming and multi-tasking. The second option is much more dedicated for gaming purposes and probably will be the fastest CPU for gaming.
Since you’re using the Nvidia RTX 3090 with a high-end processor, it’s pretty obvious that the system will output a lot of heat at all times. On the other hand, keeping the system cool is highly important to ensure excellent performance at all times.
So, choose a processor; that is not only easy to cool but also consumes less power. Check the TDP value and cooling system the system has. The lower TDP value is always preferred.
For instance, if there is an overall same specs system with 105 watts and 125 watts 3090 TDP values, I suggest going with the one with 105 watts.
The choice of brand depends on you. AMD and Intel are both brands that are reliable enough to manufacture the best CPUs for gaming PCs with RTX 3090.
The overclockable CPUs enable you to overclock the system and RAM if needed during working with heavy-loaded applications, but sometimes it harms the system.
However, I’ve tried to overclock some of the fastest gaming CPUs with 750 PSU 80 platinum and found them safe enough for overclocking while dealing with RTX 3090 graphics cards.
Apart from choosing the powerful one, you have to make sure the CPU you choose is compatible with the motherboard of your system, specifically if you’re planning to upgrade the CPU of your existing system.
The CPU socket of the processor and motherboard are compatible with each other.
FAQ
1. Is the RTX 3090 worth it?
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is currently the most powerful and first 8K resolution capable graphics card; that the world has ever seen. It enables more than 100 FPS gaming speeds for new-gen AAA games at 4K resolution, which is approx 10-20% faster than the previous versions.
2. What RTX 3080 has the best performance?
So, you can see that meeting all minimum RTX 3090 system requirements could not make an option for the best RTX 3090 CPU. Besides having a good GPU CPU compatibility, look for these aspects.
3. How much faster is the RTX 3090 compared to the RTX 2080 Ti?
The RTX 3090 is about 35 percent faster than the RTX 2080 Ti during 4K gaming, but you can expect similar performance from both of the two for other productivity works.
4. Is a 3080 a high-end?
Yes! The RTX 3090 graphics card will work with both - PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 with almost zero difference. But with the PICe 3.0 x16 slot, you may lose a couple of frames during gaming.
5. Does the RTX 3090 support HDMI 2.1, and will it work on older HDMI standards?
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 is meant for running high-end PC games at higher resolutions with faster refresh rates for less money.The RTX 3090 completely supports HDMI 2.1, as well as it works fine with the older HDMI standards, though the old HDMI standards come with some restrictions, like – topping out at 4K@60Hz.
I suggest checking out the HDMI standards of your monitor or TV, with which you’re going to use the RTX 3090 chip. Have a look at which resolution and frame rate your device can deliver with the HDMI and move accordingly.
For instance, I suggest using DisplayPort instead of HDMI with gaming monitors.
CONCLUSION
That’s all from my side. For confirmation, I’m repeating that I’ve tried and tested these recommended CPUs before reviewing them publicly. I know the gaming PCs are not affordable, so don’t make your purchase based on my reviews.
Check out every spec and feature, make a list of their pros and cons according to your gaming needs, and shortlist your choice accordingly. I’m pretty sure that you’ll end up with the best worthwhile investment.
