Nvidia’s 40 Series refresh has turned all eyes to its new Super lineup, so we’re diving straight into the best CPU for the RTX 4070 Super. With its modest price point and impressive specs, the 4070 Super is a worthy successor to the RTX 4070 that’s got plenty of users excited for an upgrade. Of course, if you want to squeeze the best performance out of your new graphics card, you’ve got to consider investing in a CPU that’s going to enable your components to thrive.

Even with the RTX 50 series released, you might still be interested in the previous generation. especially considering the RTX 50 series stock hasn’t been ideal, and neither has the pricing, which soars above the MSRP. Now, considering the RTX 4070 Super, it was reviewed fairly well, so it might not be a terrible option to go for instead of the newer generation.

In this guide, we’ve made this process extremely simple – to make your choice easy, we’ve done the background research for you and outlined four CPUs that would make a great addition alongside the RTX 4070 Super. Whether you want a gaming-focused set-up or something for productivity or content creation, these picks ensure you achieve the best performance at the best prices. We’ve tested and reviewed them to make sure they live up to the standard.

How we selected the best CPU for RTX 4070 Super

It has to be said that picking the best CPU for the RTX 4070 Super is not a task we brush off lightly. Our selection process involves an in-depth analysis of publicly available benchmarks and a thorough understanding of the current market options, supported by our extensive CPU topic knowledge. We take the extra time to examine performance tests from our CPU tests and reviews to find out their actual performance.

Additionally, we make sure to take into account user reviews and the potential longevity of each CPU: it’s crucial to recommend processors that are not only powerful now but will also continue to deliver robust performance in the future, as you’re bound to hold onto your CPU for a good few years before your next upgrade.

This method guarantees that our recommendations for the best CPU to pair with the RTX 4070 Super meet the diverse needs of our audience, encompassing gamers, content creators, and general users who seek a strong and dependable computing experience.

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AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

Hands-on Review

5 /5

Editor’s Rating

How We Review

Specifications

• Cores: 8
• Threads: 16
• Boost clock speed: 5.2GHz
• Base clock speed: 4.7GHz
• L3 cache: 96MB
• TDP: 120W
• Platform: AM5

Reasons to Buy

• Unparalleled gaming performance
• Can handle workloads as well
• Good efficiency

Reasons to Avoid

• High platform cost
• Does not support DDR4

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• Shop on Newegg

There is no denying that the RTX 4070 Super can handle its fair share of gaming, but if you want to squeeze every bit of performance out of your rig, we recommend pairing it with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. That's because, in our review of the 9800X3D, we saw very impressive gaming numbers from the CPU. It completely beats all competition, including flagship processors.

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features 8 cores, 12 threads, and a max frequency of 5.2GHz. As you can guess by the “X3D” in its name, the CPU also packs the 3D V-Cache technology, meaning it has a large L3 cache, 96MB, to be precise. The bigger L3 cache capacity in the 9800X3D allows it to store more data in the cache for the 8 cores to retrieve, so there is less delay and faster performance.

Previously, X3D processors had two downsides: no overclocking and inferior productivity performance. Well, AMD has fixed both of these aspects with the 9800X3D, as the CPU can now be overclocked and also offers very impressive numbers in synthetic benchmarks. For instance, in Blender, the CPU beat the Ryzen 9700X by 5-10 points, and the gap further increased when we enabled PBO.

At this point, the only possible negative aspect of the 9800X3D is its price. The CPU not only carries a solid price tag, but if you're not already on the AM5 platform, you'll also need to spend a good amount of money on DDR5 RAM and an AM5 motherboard. 

While this comes across as a negative, it is not a big issue in the big picture. That's because AM5 is going to get more CPUs for the next few years, and DDR5 is the future anyway. So, you'll definitely be futureproofing your gaming setup by going with the 9800X3D. We still recommend you check out the best coolers and the best motherboards for 9800X3D to equip your PC with the right components.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Blender temperatures graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D CS2 Power graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Cyberpunk 2077 FPS graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Blender scores graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D CS2 temperatures graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Blender power graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D multi core synthetics graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D CS2 FPS graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Cyberpunk 2077 power graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D synthetics single core graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Cyberpunk 2077 temperatures graph, Image by PC Guide

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As a mid-range GPU, the RTX 4070 Super appeals most to gamers, making it fitting to pair it with a top-tier gaming CPU. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D, despite the advent of newer generations, still holds its ground as one of the best gaming CPUs available, offering excellent value for its price.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, emerges as a formidable option for both gaming and multitasking. It boasts a base clock speed of 3.4 GHz, capable of boosting up to 4.4 GHz, thus ensuring it meets the demands of intense games and applications. The standout feature of this CPU is its massive 96MB L3 cache, which significantly elevates gaming performance. With a TDP of 105W, it balances power efficiency with strong performance, an ideal mix for gamers who are also energy-conscious.

Overall, this CPU is a prime choice for users looking to build a gaming-focused PC. While it’s capable of handling various tasks, gaming is its forte. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D excels in providing smooth, high-frame-rate gaming experiences, especially in the latest titles, making it a top pick for gaming aficionados and an excellent choice to perform alongside your RTX 4070 Super.

As we found in our 5800X3D review, the processor is capable of various tasks when it comes to it. In gaming real world performance in our tests, the CPU achieved an 283 average FPS in Days Gone and 279 FPS in Cyberpunk. However, it does falter in the more productivity-oriented tasks. As in CPU Z single, it gets 461 points and in multi, it gets 4,889 points, with the likes of cinebench R23 gathering just over 1,100 single-core and 10,200 multi-score points.

It’s also an AM4 processor, which means the upgrade path and future-proofing aren’t exactly ideal, or even there, really. Combined, these factors mean the processor isn’t an ideal choice for those looking for some down-the-line upgradeability and working on tasks apart from gaming.

If you’re after Intel’s processors, it’s best to look at the latest platform and generation to get the top choice and future upgradeability on the socket. That’s where the Core Ultra 200 series release comes in, even if it was a bit of a blunder at its release compared to its previous generation, the change to the struggling 14th generation with high TDP, power requirements, and thermals.

So, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is the middle ground of the Arrow Lake generation, offering a mix of efficiency and performance for the processor choice. It comes equipped with 20 cores and 20 threads, with the main cores split into eight performance and 12 efficiency cores as Intel’s way of improving the processing power and method of processing its work.

These come clocked in with a 3.9 and 3.3GHz frequency, respectively, with the ability to boost all the way up to 5.5GHz, still offering a decent amount of uplift. Let alone to overclock, you can put on them, considering the temperatures it reaches aren’t exactly that high.

It also offers a 30MB L3 cache, a decent chunk but nothing akin to the 3D cache that AMD excels at. However, it still has a lot to offer without it. All of that comes in with a TDP of 125W base and maxing out to 250W, which is a decent amount of power.

In our review of the 265K, we didn’t give it the highest of scores, considering the drop off over the previous processors. But it might have been necessary considering the 14th Gen instability that plagued its name. However, we saw its performance in those tests and benchmarks.

In gaming, that translates to an average frame rate of over 190 in Cyberpunk with a more intensive setting for CPUs on low 1080p. Even with that a bit lower down, the creative and workload performance is a bit more impressive. This is especially true in the multi-core and Blender benchmarks, where it nearly doubles the scores of the 9700X we put it up against.

So, it’s more of a creative and workhorse processor than a gaming machine. But it should pair well with the 4070 Super to provide a great working PC.

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Intel Core Ultra 7 265K in Cyberpunk 2077

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Now, if you’re looking for a more budget offering when it comes to your processor setup, then there is the Ryzen 5 tier of processors. The latest on AM5 is the Ryzen 5 9600X, which brings with it the lowest entry to the Zen 5 generation and cuts down the price compared to the 7600X, which has an MSRP of $299 by $20. Along with the range of newer chipsets available, like the B850 release, and with plenty more DDR5 models, it is a more affordable way to get onto AM5.

The processor has six cores and 12 threads, and it can clock at 3.9GHz and overclock to 5.4GHz. It’s not the speediest option, but it definitely gets going with the potential to overclock. It started off with a TDP of 65W, but it then got extended to 105W, with an 88W PPT that also improved up to 142W to get even better performance from it.

It also provides a decent amount of overhead. It comes equipped with an 80KB L1 cache, 1MB of L2 cache, and 32MB of L3 cache, which provides decent support for the processor. It is not quite to the X3D amount with no stacked option, but it doesn’t come with the tax on top of that.

In our testing, it achieved an average framerate of 325 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077, with Days Gone getting 246 FPS, improving over what the 7600X was capable of. The same is the case in the synthetic benchmarks, as it improves by 100 points or more in the likes of CPU Z single and multi, Geekbench single and multi, too.

Considerations for the best CPU for RTX 4070 Super

When choosing the optimal CPU to pair with the RTX 4070 Super, a balanced combination of power, efficiency, and compatibility is crucial. The perfect CPU for this graphics card should shine in both gaming and productivity tasks, enabling a fluid switch between both work and leisure. Key attributes like high clock speeds and a substantial core count are essential for smooth gaming experiences and effective handling of creative applications, without worries of bottlenecking or similar issues. 

Considering the future-proofing of the CPU is also crucial. In an era of rapid technological advancement, selecting a processor that supports the latest innovations such as PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory is a prudent choice. This approach ensures that your system remains up-to-date and capable of accommodating future advancements and requirements.

What CPU to pair with RTX 4070 Super?

When you’re looking for the right CPU for the RTX 4070 Super, then the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is at the top of the list. Providing the top-tier gaming performance at the top of the list and being the go-to processor. The 5800X3D is the same if you’re looking for a more budget option on an old platform. However, if you need multi-core processing and multi-tasking, Intel’s 265K is the processor to go for, while the 9600X is the way to go when you want a budget option on a modern-day platform.

What CPU won’t bottleneck an RTX 4070 Super?

When looking for a CPU for the RTX 4070 Super, there are plenty of options to choose from. Being a mid-tier graphics card, there’s nothing that really won’t match its performance. Any modern CPU can give it everything the GPU needs without hindering its performance, and provide it with the processing power. Especially if you’re gaming at higher resolutions, it will mostly be down to the graphics card to do the processing you need.

About the Author

Marla Broadway

Marla writes across a wide range of topics across PC Guide, including AI, PC hardware, and news on the latest tech releases. She's a passionate writer that's interested in the future of technology.