Best CPU For RTX 3090 (Fastest And Powerful)

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 is currently the fastest and most powerful GPU available in the market. This beast features 10496 CUDA Cores, a massive 24 GB of GDDR6X VRAM, a 384-bit memory bus, a clock speed of 1400 MHz, and has the ability to run on 8k.

Yes, you heard that right; it’s the first 8k compatible GPU. It’s so powerful that it can also be used for industry-level productions and, without a grain of doubt, gives you the best gaming performance of all time.

It truly sets new benchmarks for the next generation of flagship GPUs and has brought about a revolution in the gaming industry.

With so much power packed inside, this card requires a companion that can match its power figures without a bottleneck, and that is where the new line of AMD and Intel CPUs comes into play.

In this article, I have comprehensively compared and explained the 8 best CPUs for the RTX 3090. So without any further delay, let’s get started:

A Quick Look At The Best CPU For RTX 3090

Best CPU For RTX 3090

If you’re wondering which CPU should be used with the currently most powerful graphics card in the market, you’re not alone because a lot of people still don’t know which processor works the best with RTX 3090.

I’ll be giving you 8 options from which you can choose the best CPU for RTX 3090, Now I have tried and tested several processors with this card and found that these 8 are the perfect fits for this type of card.

#1- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

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Specifications

• Socket: AM4
• Cores: 16
• Threads: 32
• Base Clock: 3.4 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.9 GHz
• TDP: 105W
• Cache: 64 MB
• Max Temp: 90 Degrees Celsius
• PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0

Highlights:

• Boost Clock of 4.9 GHz is surely a big selling point of this GPU.
• The socket is AM4 which means that it can still fit with old motherboards.
• The PCIe Express Version is 4.0, which makes it totally future-proof.
• Rendering and Animations on this CPU will also be good.

Drawbacks:

• The TDP of 105W means that you might want to get a new PSU due to the excess power consumption of this card.
• No cooler is given with the CPU, meaning that you will have to go and spend some money for a good cooler.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X was launched at the end of 2020 and took the world by storm with its power figures. It’s a high-end CPU made strictly for top-tier GPUs like the RTX 3090.

Speed And Performance:

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X has a base clock of 3.4 GHz, which is pretty decent, and a mind-blowing boost clock of 4.9 GHz. These numbers make you think for a moment, that in the past few years, how much faster and better the CPUs have become and how much power they pack inside themselves.

In Performance tests, the CPU got a 46173 CPU Mark rating and had a single thread rating of 3500 MOps/Sec, which is again genuinely exceptional. In terms of raw performance, the Zen 3 CPU breaks all records and undoubtedly stands tall on the podium.

Cores And Threads:

This CPU has 16 cores and 32 threads in total, which in itself is an impressive stat and looks like it’s a bit too extra but in a good way.

They promise a seamless gaming experience alongside the all-powerful RTX 3090, and you can rest assured that there will be no bottleneck problems or heating-up issues.

My Findings:

After using this GPU for a month, I can clearly say that it’s worth the money and performs well with the RTX 3090. This processor will never lag or underperform for even a single bit.

AMD has produced a gem of a processor with some drawbacks like having a higher TDP and no cooler, but still, If you find this CPU at shelves near you, I would recommend you go and get it for your RTX 3090.

#2- Intel Core i9-10900K

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Specifications

• Socket: LGA 1200
• Cores: 10
• Threads: 20
• Base Clock: 3.7 GHz
• Boost Clock: 5.3 GHz
• TDP: 95W
• Cache: 20MB Intel Smart Cache
• Max Temp: 100 Degrees Celsius
• PCIe Version: PCIe 3.0

Highlights:

• TDP of 95W is reasonable in comparison to other processors.
• Max Temp is 100 Degrees Celsius
• Price is more affordable

Drawbacks:

• PCIe Version is the older 3.0 than, the newer 4.0
• The architecture is 14nm, whereas the competition has much better than that.
• The cooler for this CPU has to be purchased separately.

Intel Core i9-10900K was launched in May of 2020 and has been among the favorites of many gamers.

Speed And Performance:

The Intel Core i9-10900K has a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a boost clock of 5.3 GHz. When you look at these numbers for a brief moment, you’ll fall into disbelief and start questioning yourself how can a processor be so powerful?

It’s absolutely incredible to see such figures being put out by Intel, and this ensures a healthy competition with AMD.

Whether you like this Intel or not, one thing is for sure, this processor is a perfect match for the RTX 3090 and is going to provide a gaming experience like never before.

Coming towards the performance stats of this CPU, it has a CPU Mark score of 23843 and a single thread rating of 3167. Even though mark score and single thread ratings are not as good as the AMD Processor, it’s still a pretty solid score and emphasizes the true power of the CPU.

Cores And Threads:

This Processor has 10 cores and 20 threads which are optimal for the RTX 3090 and in my opinion these numbers are more than enough for any kind of user.

Because of the 10 cores, the multitasking performance was phenomenal It almost crushed everything that I have tested on it, and for the content creators and gamers, this kind of CPU is a perfect fit.

My Findings:

After using this CPU for quite some time, I can clearly conclude that it is a decent processor in its budget category and will give you an adequate performance with an RTX 3090.

The gameplay will be smooth and seamless, and you will feel little to no bottlenecks. For what it offers, I can say that it’s worth the money.

#3- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

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Specifications

• Socket: AM4
• Cores: 8
• Threads: 16
• Base Clock: 3.8 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.7GHz
• TDP: 105W
• Cache: 32MB
• Max Temp: 90 Degrees Celsius
• PCIe Version: PECIe 4.0

Highlights:

• The 7nm processor size is far more superior than Intel’s 14nm technology and puts AMD in the lead again
• The PCIe 4.0 is also more up to date and advanced and will benefit this card’s overall performance
• The system memory specification is also a tad bit higher than Intel’s competitor.

Drawbacks:

• The Max Temp is 90 Degrees celsius compared to the i9’s 100 Degrees Celsius.
• The power consumption of this processor is also more than the consumption of its intel counterpart.
• The number of cores and threads of this CPU alongside its boost clock is also far lower than Intel’s i9-10900k

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X was launched in Q4 of 2020 as part of AMD’s new Zen 3 CPUs lineup. It directly competes with Intel i9-10900K and targets users in the 400-500 dollars category.

Speed And Performance:

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X has a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz and a max boost clock of 4.7 GHz. In terms of these stats, it’s left behind by its Intel Competitor.

However, it doesn’t mean that it is mediocre in terms of speed; these clock speeds are still regarded as one of the best in the market and will conveniently provide you with a premium gaming experience.

Coming towards Raw Performance stats, we get to a CPU Mark score of 28284 and a single thread rating of 3491.

AMD balances out its loss of speed with its single thread and single-core performance, and hence until now, we can consider both CPUs even.

Cores And Threads:

This processor has 8 Cores and 16 threads in total, which numerically are less than Intel’s core and thread count.

However, the single-core/thread performance of this CPU balances the books as discussed earlier. AMD is known for its refined gaming experience, and we should expect the same from this CPU as well.

My Findings:

After using this CPU for some time now, I can say that it works pretty well with the RTX 3090, supports all of its features, and gives an overall smooth and tension-free gaming experience.

In some parts, however, Intel surpasses it, but it also replies by offsetting intel processors in other categories like the PCIe version, the architecture and etc. Overall it’s a good buy and worth the price.

#4- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

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Specifications

• 90 Degrees Celsius
• Socket: AM4
• Cores: 12
• Threads: 24
• Base Clock: 3.7 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.8 GHz
• TDP: 105W
• Cache: 64MB
• Max Temp: 90 Degrees Celsius
• PCIe Version: PCIE 4.0

Highlights:

• The max boost clock of 4.8 GHz is a standout for this CPU.
• The 7nm architecture is also really efficient
• The PCIe 4.0 gives it an edge over other CPUs and matches its compatibility with the RTX 3090
• The 12 Cores and 24 threads also guarantee the ultimate performance.

Drawbacks:

• The TDP of 105W is a bit higher
• The max temp of 90 Degrees Celsius could have been better, around 100 Degrees Celsius.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, just like other Zen 3 CPUs, was revealed in the ending months of 2020, and it set new benchmarks for a top-tier premium level GPU.

Speed And Performance:

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a max boost clock of 4.8 GHz. As expected, AMD once again came out with a spectacular CPU that keeps up the AMD brand reputation by providing a solid and stable in-game and rendering performance.

Now it’s time to have a look at the performance stats of this piece of technology. It got a single thread rating of 3495 and an average CPU Mark Score of 39489. Astonishing is the word that comes to mind upon hearing these figures.

It’s a one-of-a-kind CPU with truly next-level performance, and that’s precisely what you should expect from a CPU that is as expensive as a brand new PS5 at MSRP.

Cores And Threads:

The CPU has a total of 12 cores and 24 threads, and trust me it’s one of the best options if you are looking for the RTX 3090, this amount of cores and threads guarantees a bottleneck-free and premium gaming experience when combined for any type of gamer or content creator.

Related reading: Best GPUs For Ryzen 5 2600 Processors

My Findings:

My experience with the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has been wonderful; it delivers to all of its expectations and is the perfect companion for the RTX 3090.

Although it has a few lackings, its pros outweigh the cons and make it the best buy product in its price factor. So if you find this CPU on the shelves any time soon, I would recommend you have a go for it.

#5- Intel Core i7-10700K

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Specifications

• Socket: LGA 1200
• Cores: 8
• Threads: 16
• Base Clock: 3.8 GHz
• Boost Clock: 5.1 GHz
• TDP: 125W
• Cache: 16MB Intel SMart Ceche
• Max Temp: 100 Degrees Celsius
• PCIe Version: PCIe 3.8

Highlights:

• The boost clock of 5.1 GHz is an extremely exceptional figure and will give you a beast-like performance.
• The single thread score of above 3000 emphasizes the amount of power it stores.
• The max temp of 100 degrees celsius gives the CPU more room for getting pushed to its limits.

Drawbacks:

• The TDP of 125W is too high for a CPU in its range; for comparison the top of the line AMD Ryzen 9 5950X only consumes 105W.
• This CPU has the PCIe 3.0 version which is a little outdated as compared to its compatitors.

The Intel Core i7-10700K was released back in April 2020, and since then, it has become a popular choice among many users. It’s a part of Intel’s 10th generation lineup, and just like all other Intel CPUs, it never ceases to amaze.

Speed And Performance:

The Intel Core i7-10700K has a base clock of 3.8 GHz and a boost clock of 5.1 GHz. Intel has kept the boost clock figures of almost all their new CPUs over 5 GHz, and that sort of consistency is how things should always be.

These clock speed figures will absolutely demolish any and every benchmark and will go perfectly with your Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090.

Coming towards the performance figures of this CPU, we get to see an average CPU Mark rating of 19349 and a single thread rating of 3076. There is no doubt that these numbers are really good for a CPU of this form factor.

Cores And Threads:

This CPU has a total of 8 cores and 16 threads with excellent single-thread performance, in my personal experience I have previously used this CPU for quite a long time and the level of performance It gave me was phenomenal.

For this guide, I was able to test this CPU with 3090 and again everything was on par the single-threaded performance was insanely good, and for multi-tasking 8 cores are perfect in my opinion, if you have the budget and if you are getting a chance to grab this I’d suggest you go for it.

Related article: Graphics Card For Video Editing In 4K

My Findings:

My experience with this CPU has been satisfactory; it fulfills all the needs of the RTX 3090 and provides a good experience; however, where it lacks is in the extra consumption of power and the PCIe version.

If these two things are sorted, then it will become a perfect match for the 3090; however, as things stand now, I would not recommend anyone to buy this CPU for an RTX 3090 and to rather look for better alternatives.

#6- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

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Specifications

• Socket: AM4
• Cores: 6
• Threads: 12
• Base Clock: 3.7 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.6 GHz
• TDP: 65W
• Cache: 32MB
• Max Temp: 95 Degrees Celsius
• PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0

Highlights:

• The highlight of this card has to be its low TDP figures; it really is a power-efficient CPU.
• The AM4 socket means that it is going to work with the majority of motherboards.
• PCIe 4.0 Indicates that it is adequately future proof
• The CPU also comes with a stock cooler, so if you are short on budget for a cooler, you can use the stock one for the meanwhile.

Drawbacks:

• The L2 cache static RAM size is a bit smaller
• It would be better off with 8 cores and 16 threads rather than 6 cores and 12 threads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X was released on 5th November 2020, and since then, it has become a household name and is found in almost every gamer’s high-end build.

Speed And Performance:

The AMR Ryzen 5 5600X has a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a boost clock of 4.6 GHz. It’s impressive once again from the AMD, and it seems like they are ready to set some new benchmarks.

On the performance front, we see a single thread rating of 3381 and an average CPU mark rating of 21138. I’m really surprised to see such good single-thread performance from this processor, and for that, hats off to AMD.

The fun part about this CPU is that it is also unlocked for overclocking so that you can tap into the untapped potential of this beast.

Cores And Threads:

The CPU has a total of 6 Cores and 12 threads, but you should not be fooled into thinking that due to its fewer cores, the CPU is underpowered, its single-core and single-thread performance figures are so high that they are better than a lot of processors who have almost double the core count.

More reading: GPUs For Ryzen 7 2700x To Shop In 2023

My Findings:

After having this CPU for more than a month, I can say that it is a good mid-range CPU and ticks all the boxes that it should.

You might feel a 5% bottleneck with this CPU on the RTX 3090 due to the huge disparity of the categories both products fall into, as one is a premium high-end GPU, and the other is a mid-range CPU.

Regardless, the difference won’t be much, and you will have a seamless experience. So If you are restricted to a limited budget and want a suitable CPU for your RTX 3090, then this processor might be for you.

#7- Intel Core i5-10600K

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Specifications

• Socket: LGA 1200
• Cores: 6
• Threads: 12
• Base Clock: 4.1 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.8 GHz
• TDP: 125W
• Cache: 12MB Intel Smart Cache
• Max Temp: 100 Degrees Celsius
• PCIe Version: PCIe 3.0

Highlights:

• The CPU comes with a cooler in the box.
• The max temp of this CPU is 100 C which clearly indicates that it is going to have absolutely no thermal problems.
• You can push the CPU to its limits by boosting its clock to 4.8 GHz.

Drawbacks:

• The TDP is too high for a CPU in its performance bracket and might force you to change your PSU.
• The memory specification is low and should have at least been 3000 MHz.

The Intel Core i5-10600K was released in April of 2020 as a budget CPU. It is part of Intel’s 10th generation processor lineup and has some serious performance in it.

Speed And Performance:

The Intel Core i5-10600K has a base clock of 4.1 GHz and a maximum boost clock of 4.8 GHz. Just like AMD, Intel doesn’t seem to be coming slow and are setting a new benchmark for CPUs by having most of their lineup above 4 GHz of clock speed. With such numbers, one should expect a unique experience with a lot of immersion.

I have talked a lot about the speed, and now it’s time to tell you about the raw performance of this processor.

It has an impressive single-thread rating of 2937 and an average CPU Mark score of 14565. These stats back what I said earlier, and we are ought to get a decent performance from this card.

Cores And Threads:

This processor has 6 cores and 12 threads in total, which is pretty decent for a CPU in its price range. This processor is one of the best-selling Intel CPUs, it was and it is one of the best mid-range CPUs ever released.

My Findings:

After using this processor alongside my RTX 3090, I can say that it’s decent in terms of performance.

It does everything a CPU in its form factor should do; however, you are going to feel a 5-10% bottleneck when you use it with the 3090, and that was obviously expected because the 2 components are far off from each other’s class category.

Regardless, it’s a good budget CPU and can still run games well with the RTX 3090. So if you are constrained on a budget and want something that functions well, then this CPU might be the perfect fit for you.

#8- Intel Core i9-9900K

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Specifications

• Socket: LGA 1151
• Cores: 8
• Threads: 16
• Base Clock: 3.6 GHz
• Boost Clock: 5.0 GHz
• TDP: 95W
• Cache: 16MB Intel Smart Cache
• Max Temp: 100 Degrees Celsius
• PCIe Version: PCIe 3.0

Highlights:

• Its boost clock of 5.0 GHz has to be one of the major highlights of this CPU.
• Its DDR4 Memory type is also a plus point
• The 100 degrees celsius max temp limit helps to push this CPU to the boundaries
• It still gives stable and high fps on new games without any problem at all
• The TDP of 95W is also really good

Drawbacks:

• The system memory support of 2666 MHz lets it down in accordance with current needs.
• The 14 nm architecture has been outdated for a long time.
• The PCIe 3.0 is also negative as current GPUs support PCIe 4.0, and due to this mismatch, the efficiency is going to be affected.

The intel core i9-9900k came out in late 2018, but even 3 years later, it is a respectable processor and popular among a vast majority of gamers.

Speed And Performance:

The Intel Core i9-9900K has a base clock of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock of 5.0 GHz. To be honest, such stats for a 3-year-old CPU are truly amazing.

It was the flagship of its time and used to pair with the strongest RTX 2080 Ti at that time. Even after so many years, this processor remains relevant and a good fit for the current-gen strongest Graphics Card, the RTX 3090.

Coming towards its performance, it has got an average CPU Mark of 18760 and a single thread rating of 2963.

These stats are enough to shake the CPU market today, so just imagine how much chaos this processor would have created back in 2018; I still remember the hype around this processor during those years as it was dubbed as the one most powerful CPUs of all time.

Cores And Threads:

It has 8 cores and 16 threads, 8 cores are more than enough for most types of users and the number of threads is also great, trust me this CPU might be an old folk but this beast can still compete with current monsters.

My Findings:

After using this processor with the RTX 3090, I can say it gives a satisfactory performance; it bottlenecks 10-15%, but apart from that, the experience is good, and there are no thermal issues.

It does what an outdated CPU should do; nothing over the top but still does its job. If you are short on a budget but still want a good CPU, then maybe you can get a used i9-9900K for less price, and after you collect some funds, you can go all out for your next processor.

Which CPU Is The Best For An RTX 3090?

After using each CPU for weeks, carrying out benchmark tests, comparing each and every stat, I have chosen the best CPU for an RTX 3090.

So without keeping any more suspense, I announce the winner: The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

I chose this CPU as the winner because of a lot of reasons:

• Firstly its boost clock of 4.9 GHz was a major deciding factor now, some people may argue that Intel has CPUs with far better boost clocks; I know that, but, what makes the difference alongside the boost clock is the number of cores and threads.
• This CPU has 12 cores and 24 threads which are the most of any CPU mentioned in this list
• The single thread rating of this processor is also higher than any other processor mentioned in this list.
• In addition to that, this processor has a more advanced 7nm architecture and has a memory specification of 3200 MHz which is again the highest of the lot.
• It also has the latest PCI express 4.0, which is also supported by the RTX 3090, and hence it is more compatible with the GPU.

All the above-mentioned features optimize the processor in such a manner that it becomes the perfect companion for the RTX 3090. When both these beasts are combined together, you get to experience a totally new dimension in gaming that you would have never seen before.

There is nothing you can’t do when you have both of these together, ultimate gaming, check, ultra high-level rendering, check, 8k display, check, you name it, and it does it.

It takes the world of gaming to the next level and can do the unimaginable. So If you have the pockets to afford this dream, then I would highly recommend you to go for this combo.

Related guides:

• Best cpu for rtx 3070
• Best cpu for rtx 3080 ti
• Best cpu for rtx 3070 ti

Comparing Old And New Processors

When we talk about old and new processors, we see a lot of changes in the architecture, the clock speeds, the memory specification and etc. In this section, I’m going to generally talk about the differences and similarities of old and new processors of Intel and AMD combined.

We often see that an old processor might have an equal base clock and boost clock figures, but does that make the processor’s speed and functioning the same?

The answer to this question is no. Even if the GPUs have the same clock speed, the number of processes being handled, or to put it simply, the amount of work done by each processor per cycle is different.

New processors do more work per cycle as compared to old processors, and this is what makes all the difference.

There are also differences in the design and architecture of each processor; 3 to 4 years back, processors came in 12 nm or 14 nm architectures, but today, this figure has been reduced to 7.

As the size of the inside components reduces, it means that the manufacturer can make the processor more efficient and can pack in even more powerful hardware inside it, thus making the processor better than its previous generations.

You might have noticed another difference in the specifications of old and new processors in terms of PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), you must have seen PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 written in the specs column and might be left wondering how does this make an impact on the performance, well you don’t have to wonder now as I’m here to answer you.

PCIe, to put it simply, is a system or, let’s consider, a pathway or a bus that connects high-speed components and transfers data between them.

So the newer and more advanced the PCIe of your CPU, GPU, and motherboard, the faster the data transfer in between them and the more efficient and faster your components.

Lastly, you would have also seen the L2 and L3 cache memory and the different numbers written in front of them; these caches are basically the memory of the CPU and separated from the core chip of the microprocessor; it’s also called static ram and is responsible for a lot of processes.

Many new CPUs have larger caches, and it’s a good thing; the larger the cache, the less the process and memory performance gap. These were the major differences between old and new processors; I hope it cleared all your confusion.

End of The Line:

Overall my best CPU pick for the RTX 3090 is the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, and for the best budget CPU for the RTX 3090, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X.

This was my listing of the best CPUs for the RTX 3090; I hope you liked it, and it helped in clearing all your confusion regarding which CPU to choose for your RTX 3090.

If you have any recommendations or queries regarding the RTX 3090 or any of the CPUs, then feel free to express yourself in the comments section down below.

That is it for today; I will see you soon with another article, until next time, Play hard and Enjoy gaming!!!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)