- For 4K gaming, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes a perfect pairing with the powerful GeForce RTX 4080 Super.
- I found the Core i7-14700K to be the ideal partner for the GeForce RTX 4070 Super at 1440p.
- The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the perfect choice for 1080p gaming when paired with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D.
Even the most experienced PC builders can get confused when choosing the ideal CPU to complement their graphics card. Which CPU can maximize the performance of your GPU, without introducing any bottlenecks? How do you pair the ideal graphics card to your CPU without paying too much?
These questions are extremely common, so today I will share the three GPU+CPU combos that you should consider for your next build in 2024.
These GPU+CPU Combos Are The Real Deal
RTX 4080 Super & Ryzen 7 7800X3D – A 4K Powerhouse
Pros
- Superb 4K gaming performance
- High refresh rate possibility
- DLSS 3.0 frame-gen
- 16GB GDDR6X memory
Cons
- CPU is not ideal for productivity
- Quite expensive
I quite like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super for 4K gaming right now. While it is not as flashy and over-the-top as the flagship RTX 4090, it still delivers superb gaming performance at 4K without the ridiculous price tag. It offers 16GB of GDDR6X memory and DLSS 3.0 frame-gen support, which increases its value.
Sure, its MSRP of $999 is nothing to scoff at, but its price-to-performance ratio is much better than the RTX 4090, and it offers more features than AMD’s competing Radeon RX 7900 XTX. In my testing, I managed to get an average of 103 FPS in our rasterization gaming tests at 4K, while the Ray Tracing tests yielded 77 FPS on average.
At 4K, you can get away with quite a few CPUs since the games are mostly GPU-bound at this resolution, but I choose the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D. According to my testing, it is the absolute fastest gaming processor on the market today, thanks to its innovative 3D V-Cache design.
With this pairing, you can achieve above 60 FPS in all modern games at high or ultra settings at 4K resolution without breaking a sweat.
RTX 4070 Super & Core i7-14700K – Streamlined 1440p Gaming
Pros
- Well-balanced combo for 1440p
- Excellent high-refresh-rate capabilities
- Solid price-to-performance ratio
- Overclocking-friendly CPU
- DLSS 3.0 frame-gen
Cons
- High power draw on the CPU
- Relatively expensive
For 1440p gamers, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super coupled with the Core i7-14700K is an unbeatable combination. The 1440p resolution strikes the perfect balance between immersive visuals and performance, offering crisp detail without overly taxing your hardware.
The RTX 4070 Super shines here, providing an exceptional price-to-performance ratio with its remarkable gaming capabilities at 1440p. Its inclusion of DLSS 3.0 and ample 12GB of GDDR6X memory ensure superb performance even in the most demanding titles.
In my extensive testing, the RTX 4070 Super consistently delivered an impressive 124 average FPS in rasterization and a respectable 96 FPS in Ray Tracing titles at 1440p, making it an ideal choice for this resolution. Pairing the RTX 4070 Super with the Core i7-14700K provides the most balanced gaming experience.
The Core i7-14700K is certainly a high-end desktop CPU that effortlessly handles the demands of modern gaming without bottlenecking this GPU. Its top-tier performance, combined with overclocking capabilities, ensures that you’ll have plenty of processing power at your disposal for smooth gameplay.
Together, this powerful duo guarantees a gaming experience that meets your needs, delivering upwards of 100 FPS in any modern title at 1440p, even at Ultra settings.
RTX 3060 Ti & Ryzen 7 5800X3D – Ideal For 1080p
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Great for 1080p high-refresh-rate gaming
- Quite future-proof for 1080p
- DDR4 memory and affordable motherboards
Cons
- 8GB memory may prove limiting
- DLSS 2.0 does not have frame-gen
For gamers seeking the ultimate 1080p gaming experience, the combination of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX RTX 3060 Ti and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D stands as a compelling choice. Positioned as the sweet spot for multiplayer and competitive gaming, the 1080p resolution is still the most popular resolution among gamers today.
The RTX 3060 Ti shines in this setup, offering exceptional value for money with its robust performance at a modest price point. With 8GB of GDDR6 memory, it provides more than sufficient resources for current 1080p gaming demands. The DLSS 2.0 variant provides a welcome boost in performance as well.
In my testing, the RTX 3060 Ti delivered an impressive 103 FPS in rasterization and a respectable 77 FPS in Ray Tracing games on average at 1080p, promising an enjoyable gaming experience without breaking the bank.
Complementing the prowess of the RTX 3060 Ti is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D processor, designed to elevate gaming performance with its innovative 3D V-Cache technology. Positioned as one of the fastest budget CPUs, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D ensures seamless performance with the RTX 3060 Ti.
Whether diving into the latest AAA titles or engaging in high-speed multiplayer action, this combination guarantees smooth gameplay at high or ultra settings at 1080p, even at high refresh rates like 120Hz or 144Hz.
Final Words
It is often challenging to pair the perfect CPU with a graphics card since it is quite difficult to ascertain if the CPU will bottleneck the GPU or if you are simply overpaying for your processor. Nevertheless, depending on your resolution of choice, you can’t go wrong with these three handy combos in summer 2024.
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[Reviews Specialist]
Usman Saleem brings 8+ years of comprehensive PC hardware expertise to the table. His journey in the tech world has involved in-depth tech analysis and insightful PC hardware reviews, perfecting over 6+ years of dedicated work. Usman’s commitment to staying authentic and relevant in the field is underscored by many professional certifications, including a recent one in Google IT Support Specialization.
- 8+ years of specialized PC hardware coverage
- 6+ years of in-depth PC hardware analysis and reviews
- Lead PC hardware expert across multiple tech journalism platforms
- Certified in Google IT Support Specialization
