Best CPU for AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT 2020

Ryzen 5 3600X
Ryzen 5 3600X (Image credit: Windows Central)

There are plenty of CPUs from AMD and Intel that will work well with the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT, but we'd have to recommend AMD's range simply because the two components will be able to talk to one another better for improved performance. The Radeon 6900 XT is the best graphics card from AMD, and these are the best CPUs to use with it.

Choosing the best CPU for AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT

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Really, the choice of processor largely comes down to what games you plan on playing, at what settings (your monitor resolution), and if you plan to do any other intense workloads. It's possible to enjoy plenty of games at 4K with nothing more than an AMD Ryzen 3, but for the best possible experience with no chance of bottlenecks, you'll want an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X.

But really, you likely won't require such high levels of multi-core performance, which is where the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X comes into play. It's a little cheaper, has fewer cores, but is more reasonable for gaming. For an Intel motherboard and PC build, you'll want to go with the exceptionally powerful Intel Core i9-10850K.

If you're all about value, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is a great middle-ground that balances performance and price. The same goes for the Intel Core i7-10700K, which is almost as good as the i9-10900K sibling. There are other value options, too, if you feel comfortable with going for a processor with fewer cores and threads.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.