I'm looking to build a new desktop PC centered around an RTX 5080 GPU, and money isn't a concern. I've been recommended the Intel i7-14700 and the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, but I want to know if there's a better option out there. This PC will mainly be for gaming, with some occasional use for web development and 3D animation, but it's really a backup for my main work PC and gaming laptop. I hope to find a CPU that will minimize or eliminate any bottleneck issues with the RTX 5080. I'm also skeptical of bottleneck calculators since I feel like they might be misleading. I'm not looking for technical jargon, just straightforward advice on the best CPU for my setup. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
For pure gaming, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a top-tier choice. Bottleneck tests can be misleading; they really depend on whether games rely more on the CPU or GPU. So, if gaming is your primary use, the 9800X3D would be a fantastic fit. Plus, it’s a great value for performance!
If you can, consider the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or 9800X3D for your build. They're great options if the pricing works for you. Personally, I wouldn't go for the 14th gen Intel CPUs right now. If you want an Intel, look at the i5-12600K or i7-12700K instead. Since you're planning to game at 4K, having a good CPU will make a difference. At higher resolutions, the bottlenecking issue isn't as significant, but still, the 9800X3D will serve you well.
Pro Tip: Ensure your gaming resolution matches the capability of the GPU to maximize performance!
Thanks man! Really helpful.
I have a free budget which is why I didn't mention it. The price doesn't really matter. I just refuse to buy a 5090 because of the ridiculous difference in price but what comes next is fairly affordable so I went with that.
I am planning to game on 4K then 1440p for the games it is struggling with on 4K. I have no problems with 1440p anyway and it doesn't really look bad at all on my monitor.
Without a doubt, go for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. It’s being highly recommended across the board!
Thanks! 3 out of 3 recommendations for this now so I might go with this.
The best CPUs out there are AMD's 3D chips, including the 9800X3D. The Intel i7-14700K is a solid choice too since you can overclock it if you opt for water cooling. That said, if you plan to use it for work-related tasks, Intel i9s are powerful but can run hot. If you mostly game, you shouldn't worry too much about whether it's AMD or Intel. I'm leaning towards the Ryzen 7 9800X3D for you based on your needs!
Yeah, I'm 90% convinced to get a Ryzen 7 9800X3D now. It may be used for work at some point but maybe not anytime soon.
Thanks! Will probably get this instead.