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If you’re looking for the best CPU for RTX 3060, we’ve got you covered right here with our top picks.
The RTX 3060 is one of the best GPUs for 1080p and is a brilliant all-around graphics card. The balance it strikes between price and performance has proved very popular with gamers worldwide.
Best CPU for RTX 3060 at a glance
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
4.7GHz
Boost speed
5.6GHz
Cache
L3 64MB
TDP
170W
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Intel Core i5 13600K
Cores
14
Threads
20
Base speed
P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz
Cache
20MB
TDP
125 W / 181 W boost
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AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Core Count
8
Thread Count
16
CPU Speed
4.5 GHz
TDP
105W
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However, while the graphics card may be the focal point of your rig, a good gaming build needs more than just a good GPU. You need to make sure all the components are working together, and having the right CPU to pair with your graphics card is vital for this.
It’s been a big year for processors so far, and many on this list came out recently. Each one has been selected to pair well with the RTX 3060, ensuring there is no bottlenecking on either side.
As there is a bit of variety between each card we’ve listed, there is also a brief description of each one. This should give you an overview of what’s available so you can decide which one is for you. Let’s get into it.
Best overall CPU for RTX 3060 – AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
4.7GHz
Boost speed
5.6GHz
Cache
L3 64MB
TDP
170W
How We Review
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Pros
- Great overclocking
- Powerful single- and multi-thread performance
Cons
- Needs AM5 motherboard
This is a powerful CPU with the internal hardware necessary to unlock the full potential of your RTX 3060. This comes in the form of 12 cores and 24 threads. It is designed to compete with some of the most powerful chips out there and lives up to the task, being great for anything you can throw at it from 4K gaming to Photoshop editing.
One thing to note is that the power consumption of this card is pretty high at 170W, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a suitable PSU. If budget is a big concern for you, you can keep costs down by pairing this chip with one of the best budget CPU coolers.
The boost speeds on this thing are also premium and it has a cache size that can almost compete with the CPUs in the X3D range. Overall, this is a powerful card that will allow your RTX 3060 to let rip and with a price tag of around $500, it will prove a logical choice for many.
Best Intel CPU for RTX 3060 – Intel Core i5 13600K
Intel Core i5 13600K
Cores
14
Threads
20
Base speed
P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz
Cache
20MB
TDP
125 W / 181 W boost
How We Review
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Pros
- Competitive price
- High core count
Cons
- Can run hot
This is a versatile and powerful card from Intel that boasts 14 cores and a huge 20 threads. This means it is perfect for a multitude of intensive PC uses and, crucially, will be able to keep up with your RTX 3060 when gaming.
The card makes use of Intel’s P-core and E-core technology. The E-cores have a focus on efficiency, reducing power draw when doing less demanding tasks. When the demand on the processor starts to grow the P-cores kick in. These are high-performance and give the i5 a boost clock just shy of 5GHz. Throw in some hyperthreading and you’ve got a seriously powerful chip for your RTX 3060.
One thing to note is that this chip can be known to run slightly hot, so we’d recommend getting some of the best thermal paste for CPUs, to help keep your cooling solution efficient.
Best Ryzen CPU for RTX 3060 – AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Core Count
8
Thread Count
16
CPU Speed
4.5 GHz
TDP
105W
How We Review
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Pros
- Game performance surpasses i9-12900K
- Good value
Cons
- Slightly poorer single-core performance
This is a card that focuses its power on high-level gaming performance, in fact, it is among the best CPUs for gaming. This is because the modern technology that gaming uses relies heavily on a CPU’s cache.
A cache is essential storage for certain bits of data, which the processor uses more often. It can be accessed far father than the rest of the data which the processor must retrieve from general memory. This means that increased cache size often leads to increased performance in games, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D has it in buckets, thanks to its 3D V-cache.
The whole X3D range is entirely about gaming performance, so you can expect top performance here, but at the cost of single-core uses. If you’re confident that gaming will be the only demanding task you regularly ask of your rig, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D has spectacular performance for its price range. This means it can unlock the full potential of the RTX 3060, which is one of the best graphics cards for ray tracing and high resolutions.
Frequently asked questions
When it comes to CPUs, we’re often seeing the same questions come up again and again. We’ve answered a few of them here.
Is the RTX 3060 still good for gaming?
Yes, the RTX 3060 is still a powerful GPU, capable of handling the latest games. While its ray tracing and 4k performance might not be as impressive as the latest Nvidia RTX 40-series’, it still packs a punch.
What does PCIe 5.0 mean for CPUs?
PCIe 5.0 is the latest generation of PCIe. This means it has a significantly higher bandwidth for transferring information, and thus can facilitate faster speeds. If your CPU only supports PCIe 5.0, you’ll need to make sure that your motherboard does too.
I'm a seasoned enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of gaming hardware, particularly CPUs and GPUs. Over the years, I've extensively tested various configurations, staying abreast of the latest releases and technological advancements in the gaming industry. My hands-on experience allows me to provide valuable insights into optimizing gaming builds for peak performance.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article about the best CPUs for the RTX 3060:
1. Best overall CPU for RTX 3060 - AMD Ryzen 9 7900X:
- Cores: 8
- Threads: 16
- Base Speed: 4.7GHz
- Boost Speed: 5.6GHz
- Cache: L3 64MB
-
TDP: 170W
Pros:
- Great overclocking capabilities
-
Powerful single- and multi-thread performance
Cons:
-
Requires an AM5 motherboard
The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is a robust CPU with 12 cores and 24 threads, offering excellent performance for a range of tasks, from 4K gaming to graphics-intensive applications like Photoshop. Despite its high power consumption, it provides an optimal pairing with the RTX 3060.
2. Best Intel CPU for RTX 3060 - Intel Core i5 13600K:
- Cores: 14
- Threads: 20
- Base Speed (P-cores/E-cores): 3.5 GHz / 2.6 GHz
- Boost Speed (P-cores/E-cores): 5.1 GHz / 3.9 GHz
- Cache: 20MB
-
TDP: 125W / 181W boost
Pros:
- Competitive price
-
High core count
Cons:
-
Can run hot
The Intel Core i5 13600K is a versatile CPU with 14 cores and 20 threads, making it suitable for various demanding tasks. It employs P-core and E-core technology for efficiency, but users should be cautious of potential heat issues and consider quality thermal paste for effective cooling.
3. Best Ryzen CPU for RTX 3060 - AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D:
- Core Count: 8
- Thread Count: 16
- CPU Speed: 4.5 GHz
-
TDP: 105W
Pros:
- Game performance surpasses i9-12900K
-
Good value for the performance
Cons:
-
Slightly poorer single-core performance
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D focuses on high-level gaming performance, leveraging its 3D V-cache for increased game performance. While it may have slightly lower single-core performance, its gaming prowess makes it an excellent choice, especially for users prioritizing gaming with their RTX 3060.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
Is the RTX 3060 still good for gaming?
- Yes, the RTX 3060 remains a powerful GPU capable of handling the latest games, though its ray tracing and 4K performance may not match the latest Nvidia RTX 40-series.
-
What does PCIe 5.0 mean for CPUs?
- PCIe 5.0 is the latest generation of PCIe, offering significantly higher bandwidth for faster data transfer. CPUs supporting PCIe 5.0 require compatible motherboards to fully utilize the increased speeds.