Best CPUs for AMD RX 9070 XT
RDNA 4 arriving with sixteen gigabytes and a much-improved upscaler, which was the gap that mattered most in the previous generation. At 1440p it is a straightforwardly good card and the memory means it does not flinch at texture settings. Ray tracing remains the weaker column against the equivalent NVIDIA part, closer than it used to be but not level, and that is the trade you are making.
Ranked below: 15 CPUs against the AMD RX 9070 XT at 1440p, balanced pairings first, then by bottleneck %.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best CPU for the AMD RX 9070 XT?
The Intel Core i9-13900KS is the best CPU for the AMD RX 9070 XT with only a 10% bottleneck at 1440p. It has a gaming score of 95/100 and costs $707.
What is the cheapest CPU that won't bottleneck the AMD RX 9070 XT?
The Intel Core i9-13900KS is well-balanced with the AMD RX 9070 XT, at only 10% bottleneck at 1440p and costs $707.
Does the AMD RX 9070 XT need a high-end CPU?
Not necessarily. The AMD RX 9070 XT has a gaming score of 84/100, so a mid-range CPU will pair well. You don't need the most expensive CPU to avoid bottlenecking.
Test any CPU/GPU pair with our free bottleneck calculator.