I'm looking for advice on the best CPU to pair with an RX 9070 XT 16GB graphics card. I've been considering the Ryzen 7 7700X, but I'm not sure if that's the best option or if there's a better choice out there. Here are the details of my build:
- Case: Corsair FRAME 4000D
- Power Supply: Phanteks AMP GH 850W Gold
- Motherboard: MSI PRO B850-S (with WIFI6E)
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB (2x16GB)
- SSD: Crucial P310 (2TB)
- Cooler: ID-Cooling FROZN A620 PRO SE ARGB
My budget is up to $2200, and I'm building my first PC, so I'm kind of unsure about the CPU choice. Any recommendations?
4 Answers
Honestly, even the entry-level Ryzen 5 7600 is fantastic for gaming. It worked great for me for two years without any issues. It all depends on what you're planning to spend and what you prioritize in your build.
Have you already bought the RX 9070 XT? If you’re uncertain about what games you’ll play, you might consider saving some money by going with the RX 9070 instead. It might only be about 10% less performance on the GPU but could allow you to invest in a CPU with better single-thread performance.
Your CPU choice really hinges on what games you're going to play. If you want to focus on CPU-intensive games, the 9800X3D is a solid pick. However, something like the 7600X might save you some cash without a major drop in performance for most games.
If you're looking for the best performance with the RX 9070 XT, I highly recommend the Ryzen 9 9800X3D. From what I've experienced, it's a powerhouse and handles everything like a champ. If you're gaming at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, the differences between CPUs are minimal, so just get what fits your budget!
I love my 9800X3D too! It's just perfect for gaming.

No, I'm just starting my build. I'm leaning towards racing games and open-world titles.