Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti comes with various upgrades over the standard 3070 version. These include improvements to its CUDA cores, VRAM, Ray tracing, and DLSS. However, not pairing the right CPU may lead to bottlenecks or overspending.
So, what CPU is the best fit for your RTX 3070 Ti? It all boils down to your specific needs. If you’re a gamer, you must determine the required FPS for different resolution settings during gameplay.
Now, you could be anything from a beginner to an intermediate or even a professional. To cater to different needs, I have tested a bunch of processing units and made this comprehensive list of the top 8 CPUs to pair with 3070 Ti.
Contents
- 8 Best CPUs for RTX 3070 Ti in 2023
- 1. Best Overall: Intel Core i9-10900K
- 2. Best Runner-Up: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 3. Best Multi-Threaded Performance: Intel Core i7-13700KF
- 4. Best for 100+ FPS Performance: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
- 5. Best Under $300: Intel Core i7-12700K
- 6. Best Value: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- 7. Best Mid-Range CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K
- 8. Cheapest Option: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
8 Best CPUs for RTX 3070 Ti in 2023
Based on both budget and performance aspects, I tested some CPUs which are now available at reduced prices, some absolute flagship ones, and a couple of really solid entry-level options that do justice to the 3070 Ti.
1. Best Overall: Intel Core i9-10900K
- CPU Base Speed: 3.7 GHz
- CPU Boost Speed: 5.3 GHz
- Cores: 10
- Treads: 20
- Socket: LGA 1200
- Processor Count: 10
Built on the Comet Lake architecture, the Intel 10900K is believed to be their best shot at a gaming CPU. It comes with a flagship setup of 10 cores and 20 threads.
There is no doubt that this CPU works best with 3070 Ti given its overclocking ability. The 10900K comes pre-overclocked with a base speed of 4.9 GHz which is pretty much the highest you will get.
Hardware Performance
Apart from the exterior changes from the previous generation, there are minor improvements in per-core hyper-threading.
They also reworked the overclocking system for this. Since it is already overclocked with a significantly higher base speed than others, there is very little headroom for expansive overclocking for you.
This chip gets Turbo Boost Max 3.0 support which means the system identifies the fastest cores and assigns tasks to those cores. It also gets Thermal Velocity Boost which increases core frequencies when the chip is operating below 70 °C.
Design & Warranty
Based on the Comet Lake architecture, it has many refinements from the previous Skylake architecture. For instance, the Intel Core i9-10900K uses a 14nm process. Each of the 10 cores can handle any 2 threads at a time much thanks to the Hyper-Threading technology.
This helps the processor handle multiple queued instructions faster which helps in gaming performance. Intel has also thrown in their Graphics 630 as a stock on this CPU. The integrated graphics provide basic graphical capabilities.
It uses the advanced LGA 1200 socket so your motherboard needs to be compatible with it. The 10900K comes with a standard 3-year warranty as well.
Conclusion
Overall Core i9-10900K is a flagship processor for RTX 3070 Ti with all of Intel’s performance-heavy features and hardware that is tough to compete with. It is an expensive affair to keep the 10900K afloat given its cooling requirements. But if done right, you won’t experience better gaming anywhere else.
Pros
- Out-of-the-box overclocked
- Fastest gaming performance
- Integrated graphics
Cons
- Higher energy consumption
- PCIe 3.0
2. Best Runner-Up: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- CPU Base Speed: 3.7 GHz
- CPU Boost Speed: 4.8 GHz
- Cores: 12
- Treads: 24
- Socket: AM4
- Processor Count: 12
AMD has thrown the kitchen sink at the 5900X. Built on the latest Zen 3 architecture, it has all the flagship hardware as well as overclocking features. The 12-core 24-thread setup on Ryzen 5900X promises a 19% performance improvement than the equivalent models of its previous generation (Zen 2).
Hardware Performance
Ryzen 9 5900X, like other variants in the 5000 series, is built on the 7nm process technology but on a different architecture. Despite the upgrade in architecture, it still manages to fit into all motherboards with an AM4 socket.
It has one of the largest cache storages in the category with a 64 MB L3 cache and a 6 MB L2 cache. This leads to fantastic high-definition graphical stimulation. A larger cache also comes in handy when you multitask like streaming the gameplay live.
Design & Warranty
The 5900X has AMD’s standard Precision Boost (2) and Precision Boost Overdrive features which help its base speed of 3.7 GHz to rise all the way to 4.8 GHz.
Apart from the larger cache, another supportive feature for multitasking is SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) which enables each core to handle two threads concurrently.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is built on a 7nm process on the Zen 3 architecture of AMD. The smaller transistors due to the 7nm process work well in terms of their efficiency. The higher core count of 12 along with 24 threads works well for multitasking and under heavy workloads.
It also supports PCIe 4.0 which allows your system to install NVMe SSDs and GPUs that support the connectivity. To cover up for any unforeseen damages, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X comes with a standard 3-year warranty.
Conclusion
The 5900X is the best of the 5000 series. Aimed to achieve maximum performance and higher power efficiency, it pairs excellently with a graphical powerhouse like the RTX 3070 Ti.
A couple of noteworthy points are a lack of bundled coolers and a relatively lower overclocked speed. But you won’t feel it in your AAA gaming experience at all.
Pros
- Lower TDP
- Simultaneous multithreading
- IPC gain
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- No cooler
3. Best Multi-Threaded Performance: Intel Core i7-13700KF
- CPU Base Speed: 3.4 GHz
- CPU Boost Speed: 5.4 GHz
- Cores: 16
- Treads: 24
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Processor Count: 10
The 13th Gen 13700 models, which are built on Raptor Lake architecture, are the last ones from Intel to be built with monolithic silicon.
So to nobody’s surprise, Intel launched the 13700K with i3, i5, and i7-13700KF also benefits from Raptor Lake’s hybrid architecture of splitting cores into performance and efficiency.
Hardware Performance
This splitting of cores enables the processor to offer maximum multi-threaded performance, which is the foremost prerequisite for AAA gamers. 8 out of the 16 cores are high-performing P-cores and the other 8 are power-optimized yet fast-efficiency E-cores.
The split cores also have dedicated L2 caches as well. The performance cores have a 2 MB dedicated cache and the other 8 E-cores share a 4 MB L2 cache. This makes multithreading performance (4K gaming in particular) very smooth. Multitasking on the 13700KF is a visual delight.
Design & Warranty
Built on the Raptor Lake architecture, the CPU as iterated earlier is split between performance and efficiency cores in its core design. Both the P-cores and E-cores can be overclocked separately.
The performance cores, with a base frequency of 3.40 GHz, can be boosted to 5.40 GHz, and the E-cores, with a base frequency of 2.50 GHz can be boosted to 4.20 GHz.
Among other design elements, you can spot an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 which helps with basic graphical stimulation. The Intel Core i7-13700KF comes with a standard 3-year warranty.
Conclusion
The 13700KF may or may not outperform its peers but what it offers is a great value for money. The only downside to this RTX 3070 Ti CPU could be the power consumption. But given its specifications and performance, it is a miracle that Intel has been able to price this high-performing CPU below the $400 mark.
Pros
- High multithreading performance
- Best value for money at below $400
- Integrated UHD graphics
Cons
- Power consumption
- Heats up more
4. Best for 100+ FPS Performance: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
- CPU Base Speed: 4.5 GHz
- CPU Boost Speed: 5.4 GHz
- Cores: 8
- Treads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Processor Count: 8
Built on the much-awaited Zen 4, Ryzen 7700X is a performance beast. It is designed specifically for performance-hungry gamers and acts as a perfect match for a GPU of RTX 3070 TI’s merit. It has all the latest connectivity like PCIe 5.0, DDR, and an improved AM5 socket.
Zen 4 CPUs from AMD aim to produce 13% faster IPC (Instructions per Cycle) than Zen 3 CPUs. It has an attached PCIe 5.0 Gen 5 NVMe. You can plug in two CPU-attached NVMe along with up to 3 NVMes that can be attached to the chipset.
Hardware Performance
Among some prominent features, the 7700X has AVX-512 (Advanced Vector Extensions) and VNNI (Vector Neural Network Instructions) which helps AI rendering at a fast pace. Many games these days use AI for graphical simulation.
If the CPU has built-in programming to process AI instructions faster then it helps the GPU stimulate them faster as well.
Design & Warranty
The introduction of the AM5 socket was pivotal because it allowed AMD to incorporate the latest advancements in input/output technology, such as DDR5 memory and PCI-Express Gen 5. Additionally, the socket enables improvements in power delivery.
The AM5 socket can draw and deliver up to 230W which allows future CPUs built on the same platform to have more cores. The AMD Ryzen™ 7 7700X comes with a standard 3-year warranty.
Each of 7700X’s 8 cores has a 1 MB dedicated L2 cache plus shared access to a 32 MB L3 cache. It also sports integrated graphics which is pretty sweet. It has pretty much all of the flagship 7950X’s features barring the TDP which is a good sign. The TDP for 7700X has gone down from 7950X’s 170W to an impressive 100W.
Conclusion
At this price point, the margin for error is literally too slim. An out-of-the-box cooler would have been nice with the 7700X. Another concern for older PC users could be that the 7700X uses an AM5 socket which is not compatible with AM4 motherboards.
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 compatibility
- Highest cache in the category
- Great 4K gaming at 100+ fps
Cons
- AM5 socket which is not compatible with legacy motherboards
- No bundled cooler
5. Best Under $300: Intel Core i7-12700K
- CPU Base Speed: 3.6 GHz
- CPU Boost Speed: 5.0 GHz
- Cores: 12
- Treads: 20
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Processor Count: 12
Intel’s i7-12700K is a flagship CPU with all the latest connectivity and overclocking features. Intel claims that this CPU is 15% faster than its predecessor 11700K. Among the latest connectivity features are PCIe 5.0, DDR5 support, and LGA 1700 socket.
Hardware Performance
Intel has used the same Alder Lake architecture with split cores. 8 of 12700K’s 12 cores are dedicated to performance while the other 4 are dedicated to efficiency.
The only difference between the top tier 12900K and this one is that the 12900K has an 8+8 setup while the 12700K works on an 8+4 split.
Design & Warranty
It is the price that defines this deal. You get all the flagship hardware capabilities, all the latest connectivity, and overclocking features below the $300 mark.
The specifications on paper along with the price tag alone should seal the deal for most gamers using RTX 3070 Ti. But if that doesn’t, the gaming performance of 12700K will surely do it for you.
Intel has taken a step forward in offering great multitasking and stimulation of high-definition graphics which requires strong multithreaded performance.
The 12700K has a dedicated “Thread Director” which runs on an AI-powered program. It tells the operating system about the thread that can handle the workload the best.
The Alder Lake – S on which this CPU is built was previously known as 10 nm Enhanced SuperFin.The core split has further division as well. The E-cores are spread across two 4-core E-core Clusters.
The processor incorporates a memory controller with dual-mode functionality, allowing it to support DDR5 memory with a width of 160 bits along with the usual DDR4 support.
The thread director, as mentioned above, provides the operating system with an understanding of the Hybrid architecture, enabling it to allocate specific tasks exclusively to P-cores or E-cores based on their characteristics.
Conclusion
This CPU is designed for maximum performance for AAA gamers. It aces 4K and 1080p gaming. The performance for 12700K on 720p is probably the best you will ever experience. 12700K is a welcome change with features like Thread Director and core split.
Pros
- Matches 12900K’s performances
- Integrated graphics
- DDR5 & PCIe 5.0 supported
Cons
- Doesn’t work with legacy motherboards (needs LGA 1700)
- Inconsistent scheduling of workload on threads
6. Best Value: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- CPU Base Speed: 3.8 GHz
- CPU Boost Speed: 4.7 GHz
- Cores: 8
- Treads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Processor Count: 8
5800X was one of the most popular CPUs in the Ryzen 7 5000 series built on Zen 3 architecture. The newer architecture gives 5800X an improved IPC (Instructions per Cycle) compared to the Zen 2 models. Although the top speed of 4.7 GHz is nothing to brag about, it has been possible to boost it from 3.8 GHz due to AMD’s Precision Boost technology.
Hardware Performance
It also gets Precision Boost Overdrive which is an automatic overclocking feature to enhance the CPU’s performance. The 5800X has a shared L3 cache of 32 MB and an L2 cache of 4 MB. The cache storage is no flagship but does a good job in storing and retrieving information which helps the CPU do multitasking better.
The overclocking frequencies differ with each core as guaranteed by AMD. Overclocking for each core depends on cooling solutions, power delivery and motherboard firmware. It was launched at a significantly higher price but AMD has rolled discounted units out and for $225, it is a great value for your money.
Design & Warranty
The 5800X is one of the fastest 8-core CPUs around. It is perfect for casual or leisure gamers who may switch to professional along their journey. The overclocking headroom suggests that it may not be a perfect fit for established professional gamers.
This CPU is based on AMD’s Zen 3 architecture with a 7 nm process. The biggest advantage of the change in die is the enhanced inter-core latency as all eight cores now utilize the same L3 cache. Additionally, another significant benefit is the increase in cache size.
The enhanced TAGE branch predictor functions as a circuitry component that makes an educated estimation regarding the probable outcome of a condition check and proceeds to execute the instructions of that branch in a speculative manner.
The CPU comes with a standard 3 year warranty.
Conclusion
Overall, the 5800X is a pretty good CPU for use with RTX 3070 Ti. It offers great multithreaded performance with the ability to smoothly multitask as well. It does not match up to the flagship variants but at this price point, it does appear to be the smartest deal of the lot.
Pros
- Good single & multi-thread performance
- Decent TDP
- IPC improvement from previous models
Cons
- No cooler included
- No integrated graphics card at this price point
7. Best Mid-Range CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K
- CPU Base Speed: 3.6 GHz
- CPU Boost Speed: 4.9 GHz
- Cores: 10
- Treads: 16
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Processor Count: 10
Intel’s i5-12600K is a mellowed-down version of the flagship i7–12900K. It gives you most of the flagship features, top-notch architecture, and Intel’s latest generation of powerful gaming CPUs at almost an unbelievable price.
Hardware Performance
All of Intel’s 12th Gen processors are high on performance. The 12600K gets a 10-core setup in a 6+4 setup. This is down to 12th Gen & Alder Lake architecture’s hybrid approach where workloads are smartly distributed among performance and efficiency-oriented cores.
Apart from all the other standard features, you also get UHD 770 integrated graphics with this one. Cache storage is one of the few trade-offs that you have to bear with as the 12600K gets a moderate 20 MB of L3 cache.
Design & Warranty
Another concern could be the LGA 1700 socket which many mid-range gaming PCs may not have. Built on the 10nm “7 process” Lithography technology, this CPU only comes with the 1700 variant of the LGA socket.
As silicon technology becomes more complex, new options for overclocking have emerged, allowing users to maximize their overclocking potential. One of these options is the introduction of the E-core, which has its own base-clock multiplier (xE) that functions independently from the core ratio of the P-cores (xP).
Additionally, there is an xG multiplier that determines the frequency of the integrated GPU (iGPU), and an xR multiplier that controls the frequency of the Ringbus interconnect and L3 cache.
This CPU also comes with a standard 3-year warranty.
Conclusion
12600K is really like a breath of fresh air with Intel building a budget flagship CPU right from scratch. It is pretty unbelievable that apart from the standard Intel features, this CPU gets PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 connectivity as well. Socket compatibility and the smaller cache could be the only significant trade-offs.
Pros
- Impressive pricing
- DDR 5 and PCIe 5.0 compatible
- Best single-threaded performance
Cons
- Won’t work with legacy motherboards
- No bundled cooler
8. Cheapest Option: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- CPU Base Speed: 3.7 GHz
- CPU Boost Speed: 4.6 GHz
- Cores: 6
- Treads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Processor Count: 10
The cheapest on this list is the 5600X from AMD. It is one of those newer CPUs on older platforms that get all the latest features even with limited hardware. For instance, all of 5600X’s 6 cores get SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) which is a proven feature from AMD.
Hardware Performance
SMT improves multitasking and multithreading which is great for high-definition graphical stimulation. It matches the price placement of the RTX 3070 Ti. It is built on the Zen 3 architecture which means it gets other proven features from AMD like Precision Boost and Precision Boost Overdrive.
Design & Warranty
These boosting features take the 5600X’s base speed from 3.7 GHz to 4.6 GHz. Despite having moderate hardware features, it still packs a 32 MB of L3 cache and 3 MB of L2 cache which at this price point is pretty rare.
Apart from that, it also has perhaps the lowest TDP of 65W in this list making it the most power-efficient CPU of the lot. Some noteworthy features include an optimized boosting algorithm, improved overclocking, and an improved cache topology that delivers excellent performance.
Released in November 2020, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a desktop processor utilizing the Zen 3 architecture. It features 6 cores with simultaneous multithreading (SMT) enabled, allowing for a total of 12 threads. This processor is recognized as the fastest 6-core Ryzen desktop processor available.
It comes with a standard 3-year warranty.
Conclusion
Overall, the 5600X is an all-rounder CPU that does all the heavy lifting in terms of graphics for RTX 3070 Ti. This includes smooth performance even on 4K gaming. Add a low TDP of 65K and impressive pricing, this one is arguably the best deal for intermediate gamers.
Pros
- Great IPC gain
- Good energy efficiency
- Comes with cooler
- Matches gaming benchmarks
Cons
- No integrated graphics setup
- Less effective overclocking
Frequently Asked Questions
Many from the 3000 series from AMD like AMD Ryzen 5 3500 bottlenecks RTX 3070 Ti at 1080p gaming. Needless to say, it underperforms with 4K gaming.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is great for higher resolutions like 1440p. It offers great multithreading performance and it is also priced much lower than some of the flagship CPUs.
If you are gaming at 120 fps and on a 1440p resolution then 3070 Ti is an ideal choice of GPU for you. If you are gaming with any setup lower than that, then it is definitely overkill for you.
Yes, the 3070 Ti is capable of handling 4K resolution as well. It will definitely offer great graphics at 1440p and at 240GHz.
Verdict
RTX 3070 Ti is a very versatile GPU. It serves both beginners as well as professionals. Keeping that in mind, I have listed a few entry-level and some good old deals which are great for beginners. My pick however is the flagship ones from both AMD & Intel:
- Winner: Intel Core i9-10900K which is flagship but at a premium price.
- Runner up: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X which is AMD’s best bet around the $300 mark.
Given the pricing and placement of 3070 Ti, you should opt for a CPU around the $300 mark. Of course, you’ll never go wrong with the premium models like Intel Core i7-13700KF and AMD Ryzen™ 7 7700X.
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