The RTX 4090 is the top-of-the-line graphics card that Nvidia has to offer right now. You will need a high-end CPU to pair with the graphics card in order to get an ideal experience in games and content creation. Here are some of the best CPUs that we recommend pairing with the Nvidia RTX 4090.
Best CPUs To Pair With The RTX 4090 Graphics Cards
The following are the best CPUs that we recommend to pair with the RTX 4090:
- Intel Core i9-13900K – Best Premium CPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X – Great i9 Alternative
- Intel Core i5-13600K – Best Mid-Range CPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D – 3D V-Cache Technology
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700X – Best AMD Mid-Range CPU
- Intel Core i7-13700K – Great 7700X Alternative
Intel Core i9-13900K (KF) – Best Premium CPU
Socket: LGA 1700 | Cores / threads: 8+16 / 32 | L3 Cache: 36MB | Base Clock: 3.0 / 2.2GHz | Boost Clock: 5.8 / 4.3GHz | Base Power: 125W | Turbo Power: 253W | iGPU: Yes
The Intel Core i9-13900K features 8 performance, 16 efficiency cores, and 32 threads. It has a base clock speed of 2.20 GHz and can boost to 5.80 GHz. Since this is a K CPU, you can overclock it to get even more performance with the right cooling. The Intel Core i9-13900KF has similar specifications but does not have integrated graphics. So it is a bit cheaper, and you will need a graphics card for video output.
The CPU has impressive multithreaded and single-threaded performance and is ideal for content creation. The 13th generation of Intel CPUs work on motherboards that support 12th gen CPUs, so you have plenty of options. Plus, you can go with either DDR4 memory or DDR5. The AMD AM5 platform does not offer such flexibility and you need to switch to the more expensive DDR5 memory.
The downside is that the CPU can get really hot under heavy loads and can even touch 100C. So, you will need a beefy cooling solution. You can check out our recommended coolers for the 13900K.
Pros:
- Outstanding overall performance
- Substantial multi-threaded gains
- Works on existing LGA 1700 motherboards
Cons:
- Runs hot
- Needs lots of power
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X – Great i9 Alternative
Socket: AM5 | Cores / Threads: 16 / 32 | L3 Cache: 64MB | Base Clock: 4.5GHz | Boost Clock: 5.7GHz | TDP: 170W | iGPU: Yes
The Ryzen 9 7950X is the top-of-the-line consumer CPU that AMD has to offer right now. This unlocked processor features 16 cores, 32 threads, and a boost clock speed of 5.7GHz. You can overclock it to get even better performance out of the box. The CPU has impressive single-core and multi-core performance and high boost clock speeds.
The pricing is also reasonable when you consider the price per core. It does get hot so you will need a decent cooling solution. It does not come with one but you can check out our recommended coolers for the AMD Ryzen 7950X. Furthermore, you need to switch to the AM5 platform and get DDR5 memory. So the upgrade cost is higher than that of the Intel 13th gen CPUs.
Pros:
- Outstanding performance uplift compared to 5950X
- Better platform longevity than 13900K
- Comparatively power efficient
Cons:
- Expensive
- Higher platform costs
Intel Core i5-13700K – Best Mid-Range CPU
Socket: LGA 1700 | Cores / Threads: 8+8 / 24 | L3 Cache: 30MB | Base Clock: 3.4 / 2.5GHz | Boost Clock: 5.4 / 4.2GHz | Base Power: 125W | Turbo Power: 253W | iGPU: Yes
The Intel Core i7-13700K competes with the Ryzen 7700X. It features 8 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores, 24 threads, and a boost clock speed of 5.4 GHz. It is unlocked, so you can overclock it to get even better performance. This is one of the mid-range CPU options that we can recommend to pair with the RTX 4080.
The CPU is compatible with 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards. It does not come with a cooler, and you will need to get one separately. You can check out our recommended CPU coolers for the Intel 13700K.
Pros:
- Excellent for gaming and productivity alike
- Beats the 12900K regardless of metric
- Matches the 13900K in gaming at 1080p
Cons:
- Runs hot, caters to a small customer base
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D – 3D V-Cache Technology
Socket: AM4 | Cores / Threads: 8 / 16 | L3 Cache: 96MB | Base Clock: 3.4GHz | Boost Clock: 4.5GHz | TDP: 105W | iGPU: No
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D features 8 cores and 16 threads and uses the AM4 socket. So you can use an AM4 motherboard and DDR4 memory. The major selling point of the processor is the AMD 3D V-Cache technology which makes it much better than the base Ryzen 5800X model. Making it one of the fastest gaming processors on the market right now.
The 5800X3D has a boost clock speed of 4.5 GHz, but it is unlocked, so you can overclock it with the right cooling. You do not get a cooler out of the box and will need to buy one separately. The CPU is compatible with X570 and B550 motherboards.
Pros:
- Outstanding gaming improvements over base model
- Works on all AM4 systems
- Cheap platform costs
Cons:
- No multi-threading improvements over 5800X
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X – Great 13700K Alternative
Socket: AM5 | Cores / Threads: 8 / 16 | L3 Cache: 32MB | Base Clock: 4.5GHz | Boost Clock: 5.4GHz | TDP: 105W | iGPU: Yes
The Ryzen 7 7700X is based on the new AMD Zen 4 architecture and features 8 cores and 16 threads. It has a base clock speed of 4.5 GHz and can boost to 5.4 GHz. This is an unlocked CPU, so you can overclock it. It is compatible with the new AM5 socket and 600 series motherboards which only support DDR5 memory. This is one of the reasons why the platform cost is high.
PCIe 5.0 support is better on the AMD side than Intel, and the new 7000 series CPUs come with integrated graphics, unlike some previous AMD processors. The CPU does not come with a cooler, so check out our recommended CPU coolers for the Ryzen 7700X.
Pros:
- Good mix of performance and price
- Better PCIe 5.0 support than Raptor Lake competitors
- Excellent power efficiency
Cons:
- High platform costs
These are some of the best CPUs that we recommend pairing with the RTX 4090. You can also check out our recommended CPUs for the RTX 4080.