NVIDIA's RTX 3070 might soon be celebrating its fifth birthday, but it remains a great GPU for affordable gaming at 1440p. That's even despite NVIDIA's new RTX 5000 GPUs being announced and coming to market in early 2025.
The RTX 3070 provides quite a bit of power, and you want to be sure that it's not being bottlenecked by your PC's processor. With that in mind, I recommend something like the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, which pairs very nicely with the RTX 3070 at around $278. I've included alternate AMD options for those who want to spend less or want more power, and I've also added some Intel chips for fans of Team Blue.
Recent updates
January 29, 2025: I've updated my picks to include the latest AMD hardware as well as the best Intel options still readily available on the market. If you have an RTX 3070, any of these CPUs will do a great job in your build. — Cale Hunt
Best AMD
AMD's Ryzen 7 7700X is an awesome CPU that will pair perfectly with your RTX 3070. It uses the AM5 chipset so those on AM4 will need to upgrade, but at about $280 you're certainly not overspending. The CPU has 8 cores and 16 threads, it's unlocked for overclocking, and it comes with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 RAM support.
AMD upgrade
If you'd like the latest hardware from AMD, the Ryzen 5 9600X should be the chip you pair with the RTX 3070. It brings Zen 5 architecture improvements for a lower TDP compared to its predecessor, yet it retains the same 6 cores and 12 threads with a higher maximum frequency. You can usually find it for about $245.
Best Intel
Intel's "Core i" desktop chips remain go-to options for PC gaming despite Core Ultra's availability. The i5-14600K is a 14-core chip that's unlocked for overclocking, and it'll easily keep up with your RTX 3070. If you're a fan of Intel and already have an LGA 1700 motherboard, this should be your first choice. Find it for about $229.
Best for AM4 holdouts
If you're committed to sticking with your existing AM4 motherboard, the Ryzen 7 5800X is an easy recommendation. Eight cores, 16 threads, a 105W TDP, and PCIe 4.0 support all make it an attractive option. You can usually find it on sale for about $180; just keep in mind that it's not nearly as future-proof as my other AMD picks.
Budget Intel
Intel 12th Gen Core i5-12400F remains a great option for the RTX 3070, especially if you only want to spend about $112. Though it doesn't support overclocking and won't match the performance of the newer AMD and Intel chips, it has enough power to keep your RTX 3070 happy without breaking the bank.
Budget AMD
Another AM4 option that's budget-friendly is the Ryzen 5 5600X, usually costing about $120. It's not quite as powerful as the Core i5-12400F, but it can be overclocked, which helps it get close to matching Intel's chip. You'll be limited to just using DDR4 RAM by AM4, but that's not that big of a deal.
With decades of experience building custom gaming PCs, I can comfortably recommend these CPUs to pair with your NVIDIA RTX 3070 GPU.
Choosing the best CPU for NVIDIA RTX 3070
Despite its age, the RTX 3070 still supports ray-tracing technology for advanced real-time lighting in modern games and DLSS to push for extra framerates by upscaling a lower internal resolution.
The GPU itself pulls 220W TDP, so bear that in mind when choosing a CPU with higher power requirements. Budget options like AMD's $120 Ryzen 5 5600X won't cause any significant performance bottlenecks, either, so don't worry about dragging the RTX 3070 down.
My top CPU choice for the RTX 3070 is AMD's Ryzen 7 7700X. No, it's not the latest hardware from AMD — its Zen 4 architecture is one generation behind — but it uses the modern AM5 socket, it has PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support, and it's cheaper than its successor. The cheapest price I spotted at the time of the most recent update is $279 at Amazon, but it's usually closer to about $350.
Former Windows Central Senior Editor Rich Edmonds reviewed the Ryzen 7 7700X, stating:
"AMD's Zen 4 architecture promised considerable uplifts in performance and the company has delivered with the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X. This processor is a fantastic upgrade for those on older AMD hardware, though it does require a new AM5 motherboard."
If you like the idea of AMD but want a chip from the latest Zen 5 architecture, I recommend checking out the Ryzen 5 9600X. It usually costs about $279, but you might find it on sale for even less. In that case, I recommend it over the Ryzen 7 7700X.
Windows Central Senior Editor Ben Wilson reviewed the Ryzen 5 9600X, remarking:
"In a masterclass of performance-per-watt efficiency, AMD offers incredible single-core performance scores that beat its intended 14600K rival and even challenge the 14700K. However, generational multi-core bumps are so minor that anyone running Ryzen 7000 chips or Intel 13th to 14th Gen won't see any real benefits. The 9600X is for entry-level builders starting with AM5, whether upgrading from much older platforms or starting from scratch; and even then, in-house competitors like the 7700X and 7800X3D will be more tempting to some crowds."
If you're leaning Team Blue instead, Intel's Core i5-14600K is the CPU I recommend. It usually costs about $229, and now that Intel has cleared up its microcode issues, you can expect smooth sailing.
Intel vs. AMD: Which to choose?
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Whereas the rivalry between Intel and AMD was, at the time of the RTX 3070's launch, quite fierce, recent Intel setbacks have propelled AMD to the top of most enthusiast's shopping lists. That's why I'm recommending AMD in the top slots — I've been an AMD user for nearly a decade, and I've yet to experience a hiccup. If you're starting fresh with a new build, including motherboard and RAM, I definitely suggest checking out AMD's desktop CPUs.
Unless you're looking at the Ryzen 7 5800X, the newer generations all use an AM5 socket. That makes your upgrade path easier in the future. On Intel's side, its LGA 1700 socket used for 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen chips has now been changed over for Core Ultra.
You'll also want to keep an eye on memory compatibility. Intel's 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen chips can operate with DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, whereas AMD's newer CPUs are strictly intended for DDR5 RAM.
