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When you’re putting together a gaming PC with performance in mind, the processor and the graphics card are the two parts you should pay the most attention to. For the CPUs, you are spoilt for choice, we have the latest AM4 CPUs from AMD that are still holding their own, while the newer generation of chips from both Intel and AMD are unsurprisingly even more capable.
The situation is a bit different in the graphics card department, though, as mid-range GPUs don’t represent this generation’s best value. Still, it is possible to build a great CPU and GPU combo for a great gaming experience. In this guide, I’ll be helping you accomplish that goal.
We’ll start by taking a look at CPU and GPU combos that target 1080p resolution, then 1440p, and finally, 4K. Each combination focuses on strong performance and good relative value, so you’ll be set no matter your budget or requirements.
Let’s start first with the best 1080p Gaming Combo.
Best 1080p Gaming CPU and GPU Combo
According to the 2024 Steam Hardware Survey, 1080P is still by far the most popular resolution for gaming. As high refresh rate 1080p monitors are cheaper than ever, it is easy to see why that is the case. For competitive gaming, 1080p is a viable option as it’s easy to pump out high refresh rates. Any decent mid-range graphics card will work fine in this case.
However, most games tend to be more CPU-bound at 1080p. This means that performance at 1080p is more limited by the CPU, as the GPU doesn’t have to work as hard at this lower resolution. So, we definitely need a capable budget or mid-range chip that can help us reach those high refresh rates.
The best option for me to enable that experience is the Ryzen 7 5700X3D. It’s an 8-core, 16-thread CPU that reaches a boost clock of 4.1 GHz. It’s built on the Zen 3 architecture, meaning it’s cut from the same cloth as the iconic 5800X3D. In fact, the 5700X3D is nearly identical to the 5800X3D, with the higher 4.5GHz clock on the latter being the main difference.
Apart from that, they both have 96MB of L3 cache and a TDP of 105W. Performance-wise, it delivers 90 to 95 percent performance of the 5800X3D. Considering that the 5700X3D is $60 to $80 cheaper, the newer chip is the better value. Thanks to the 3D V-cache, performance is excellent, and as it’s an AM4 CPU, so you don’t need to worry about expensive DDR5 memory or x670 or X870 motherboards, most b550 boards will be fine.
For the graphics card, there are two main choices: either the Nvidia RTX 4060 or the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT. While the AMD card has more VRAM, the Nvidia card has better features — better ray tracing, DLSS 3.5, and a lower power draw. This is why, most of the time, I will generally recommend the RTX 4060 over other budget GPUs.
It has 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 3072 CUDA Cores, and a max boost clock of 2.46 GHz. All that translates to an excellent gaming experience at 1080p. It can handle even the most demanding of modern titles at medium to high settings, with some help from DLSS 3.5. Speaking of which, Nvidia’s upscaling technique is impressive enough that it’s hard to tell the difference these days. It’s sort of like a free performance boost.
Paired with the Ryzen 7 5700X3D, you’re looking at a smooth 60 to 70FPS experience in Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra settings. In Fortnite, you’ll easily get 144FPS at Epic settings, allowing you to put your high refresh rate monitor to good use. This combo even handles more demanding games such as Alan Wake 2 at a steady 60FPS.
Overall, this is an excellent 1080p gaming combo that works well whether you’re a competitive gamer or someone who enjoys single-player games. You’ll also save quite a bit of money on the power supply and CPU cooler, as both parts are highly efficient. It’s a great place to get started for a budget or mid-range build with performance in mind.
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Best 1440p Gaming CPU and GPU Combo
1440p is the second most popular gaming resolution, according to the Steam Hardware Survey. While games get a bit more demanding at 1440p, most mid-range and high-end graphics cards are capable enough to provide a good high refresh rate experience at this resolution. However, both the CPU and GPU are equally important here, as they need to work together for the best framerates.
Some games will be more CPU-bound, while others will be more GPU-bound. So I don’t recommend skimping out on either component if you want to maximize performance. Quad High Definition is a great resolution as it’s much sharper than 1080p, and it doesn’t tank your performance like 4K does. To get the most out of your 1440p monitor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a good starting point.
On average, the 7800X3D is about 20 to 25% faster in games than its predecessor, the 5800X3D. If you’re building a mid-range or high-end PC for 2025, the 7800X3D is a great choice as it’s built on the newer AM5 platform. This means you get access to features such as PCIe 5.0, DDR5 RAM, and a more efficient architecture.
On paper, the 7800X3D has 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5GHz maximum boost clock. It has a slightly high TDP of 120W, which means you will need a decent cooler for it. The 3D V-cache here helps performance in games a lot, and it usually beats competitors that are twice its cost. Pair this CPU with some 6400 MT/s DDR5 memory, and you’re set for a buttery smooth gaming experience.
For the GPU, right now, the perfect pairing with the 7800X3D is Nvidia’s RTX 4070 Super. This GPU is an interesting one, as it is 16 to 20 percent faster than the standard 4070 at 1440p, and only 5% slower than the 4070 Ti in many benchmarks. It even comes close to the mighty AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT, which is highly impressive once you consider it uses 100 watts less power.
Out of every mid-range graphics card on the market, the 4070 Super has the most respectable performance and features at a decent price. It has 7168 CUDA Cores, 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM, and a max boost clock of 2.47 GHz.
Once you pair the Ryzen 7 7800X3D with the 4070 Super, you’re going to be set for a long time. In Black Myth Wukong, this combination delivers a steady 90FPS at maximum settings. The new Black Ops 6 also runs well at 180 FPS at max settings. Less demanding games such as Overwatch 2 are even more impressive, as you get upwards of 250 FPS in most cases.
Safe to say, this is a CPU and GPU pairing that won’t give you any issues with performance. Thanks to DLSS, the 4070 Super also allows you to experience ray tracing in many modern titles. The 7800X3D also does a great job of keeping our 1% lows consistent, which directly relates to the lowest average framerate, so the overall experience stays smooth. To get the most out of this combination, get a good CPU cooler, fast DDR5 memory, and a high-capacity PCIe Gen 4 SSD, and you’re good to go.
Check These:
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Best 4K Gaming CPU and GPU Combo
While 4K monitors and TVs are more accessible now than ever before, Ultra HD still remains a bit niche as PC games can be very demanding at this resolution. This is evident with games like Cyberpunk 2077, which demands the absolute best graphical performance if you care about ray tracing at the highest settings. While you can do 4K gaming on a somewhat restrictive budget, you’ll be limited to older titles or lower graphical settings.
This is why you need to spend considerably more to get a good 4K experience. Fortunately, if you have the cash, there are components out there that can deliver an incomparable experience. In the CPU department, the new Ryzen 7 9800X3D immediately stands out.
AMD CPUs with 3D V-cache are impressive for gaming, but the 9800X3D takes things to another level. The 9800X3D is 15% faster in games than its predecessor, the 7800X3D. It is also somehow more efficient, to the point that it can be paired with an adequate dual-tower air cooler without hurting performance.
It’s an expensive CPU, but it’s well worth it if you’re shopping around for the best gaming CPU out there. The performance is exceptional regardless of the resolution, and it pairs with high-end GPUs for fantastic 4K gaming. On paper, it has 8 cores, 16 threads, and a boost clock of 5.2GHz.
For the GPU, of course, if you care about gaming at 4K with ray tracing and maximum graphical fidelity, the RTX 4090 is the only choice. Much like the 9800X3D, the 4090 is in a league of its own. It has 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM, 16,384 CUDA Cores, and a maximum boost clock of 2.5GHz. This is the only GPU out there that can handle modern titles at 4K with ray tracing without the help of DLSS.
Other graphics cards, such as the RTX 4080 Super can get you close, but you will need to turn on DLSS. If you prefer a smooth experience at 4K with native rendering, the 4090 is your only bet. Of course, it does have its downsides. For one, regardless of the variant, it’s gigantic in size meaning you’ll need a case that can accommodate it properly. Secondly, it’s three to four times more expensive than most mid-range graphics cards.
However, if you do want the ultimate experience and want to be future-proof for years down the line, this is the combo to get. The 9800X3D handles the 4090 ‘s graphical horsepower exceptionally well, meaning the 1% lows never dip too much. Overall, the experience at 4K is staggering, with games like Dragon Dogma running at over 100FPS with max ray tracing effects. It’s an experience like no other, as this combination even supports stable framerates in games that have path tracing.
If you want to get the most out of this CPU and GPU pairing, make sure you get a very reliable power supply (1000W is recommended), a good AIO for cooling the CPU, and a case with great airflow. High-speed DDR5 memory and a PCIe Gen 4 SSD are also crucial additions.
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