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If you plan to play games at 4K, you will need a powerful GPU like the Nvidia RTX 5080. Pair it with a decent CPU to prevent bottlenecking.
The Nvidia RTX 5080 is what you will need for playing games at 4K or with ray tracing. However, a powerful GPU like this must also be paired with an equally fast CPU to process every frame efficiently. Without the right processor, the RTX 5080 may bottleneck and fail to utilize its full potential. In this article, we showcase some of the best CPUs you should buy when you decide to buy or upgrade to the Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU.
Note: Parts of this article are subjective and reflect the writer’s opinions. Also, the prices mentioned herein are subject to change.
What Are the Best CPUs for Nvidia RTX 5080?
1) AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best CPU to pair with the Nvidia RTX 5080. It is the most powerful processor as of this writing. Therefore, this processor can not only handle this graphics card but also future cards. It has a total of eight cores and a 5.2 GHz clock speed, but neither is groundbreaking.
However, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 96 MB of 3D V-Cache, which is much more than what is available in standard CPUs. This level of cache significantly boosts gaming performance.
| Specifications | Values |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Zen 5 |
| Core/Thread count | 8/16 |
| Max clock speed | 5.2 GHz |
| L3 cache | 96 MB |
| RAM support | DDR5-5600 |
| PCIe Gen support | Gen 5 |
| Platform Socket | AM5 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 120W Typical | 162W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 4nm, 6nm |
2) Intel Core i9 14900K
The Intel Core i9 14900K is a beast of a CPU in a tiny package. It has 24 cores and 32 threads, with clock speeds up to 5.8 GHz. Therefore, it will easily run the Nvidia RTX 5080 or any other future graphics card at its full potential. Essentially, buying this processor will future-proof your system. However, remember to pair this CPU with a decent motherboard to deliver all the power the Intel Core i9 14900K needs.
| Specifications | Values |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Raptor Lake Refresh |
| P-Core/Thread count | 8/16 |
| E-Core/Thread count | 16/16 |
| Total Core/Thread count | 24/32 |
| Max clock speed | 5.8 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB |
| RAM support | DDR4-3200 DDR5-5600 |
| PCIe Gen support | Gen 5 |
| Platform Socket | LGA 1700 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 125W Typical | 253W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 10nm |
3) AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
If you are a fan of Ryzen CPUs, you can opt for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X instead. This processor is equipped with 12 cores and 24 threads and has a high clock speed of 5.6 GHz. Therefore, it will run the Nvidia RTX 5080 effectively without causing bottlenecks in most games. Also, the Zen 5 architecture of this CPU is even more impressive for productivity.
Therefore, the Ryzen 9 9900X is a great choice if you are into content creation, AI, or game streaming. It offers all that while costing around $365.
| Specifications | Values |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Zen 5 |
| Core/Thread count | 12/24 |
| Max clock speed | 5.6 GHz |
| L3 cache | 64 MB |
| RAM support | DDR5-5600 |
| PCIe Gen support | Gen 5 |
| Platform Socket | AM5 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 120W Typical | 162W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 4nm, 6nm |
4) Intel Core i7 13700K
The Intel Core i7 13700K has a high core count similar to the Intel Core i9, but at around two-thirds of the cost. Therefore, it is a great deal for budget mid- to high-end gamers. It is equipped with 16 cores and 24 threads, which provide more than enough performance for both productivity and gaming.
Also, the Intel Core i7 13700K can reach clock speeds of up to 5.4 GHz, making it a great match for the Nvidia RTX 5080. With a small overclock, this CPU can even reach 5.6 GHz for higher performance.
| Specifications | Values |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Raptor Lake |
| P-Core/Thread count | 8/16 |
| E-Core/Thread count | 8/8 |
| Total Core/Thread count | 16/24 |
| Max clock speed | 5.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | 30 MB |
| RAM support | DDR4-3200 DDR5-5600 |
| PCIe Gen support | Gen 5 |
| Platform Socket | LGA 1700 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 125W Typical | 253W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 10nm |
5) Intel Core i5 14600KF
The Intel Core i5 14600KF is one of the most affordable CPUs to pair with the Nvidia RTX 5080. This processor costs under $180, but Intel still equipped it with 14 cores and 20 threads. Therefore, it is great for gaming, productivity, streaming, and more. Budget gamers will be delighted to know that it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM. DDR4 is cheaper, making it great for budget builds, while DDR5 is for users who want the best possible performance.
| Specifications | Values |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Raptor Lake Refresh |
| P-Core/Thread count | 6/12 |
| E-Core/Thread count | 8/8 |
| Total Core/Thread count | 14/20 |
| Max clock speed | 5.3 GHz |
| L3 cache | 24 MB |
| RAM support | DDR4-3200 DDR5-5600 |
| PCIe Gen support | Gen 5 |
| Platform Socket | LGA 1700 |
| Thermal design power (TDP) | 125W Typical | 181W Max |
| Manufacturing nodes | 10nm |
Final Thoughts
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best choice for the Nvidia RTX 5080. It’s called the best CPU in the world for a reason. The X3D cache boosts gaming performance for every GPU. However, it has a lower core count, which is a concern for some users, who can instead choose the Intel Core i9 14900K.
Other processors on the list, such as the Ryzen 9 9900X or Intel Core i7 13700K, are also great options in the $300 to $380 price range. Budget gamers can opt for the Intel Core i5 14600KF. It is more affordable but still delivers strong performance.
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