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Looking for the best GPU to pair with the Ryzen 7 9800x3d?
The 9800X3D is easily the fastest gaming chip on the market, and it runs laps around the similarly priced Intel chips. For those of you putting together a gaming PC with performance in mind, this CPU will last you for years to come. Not only that, it’s also faster and more efficient than its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Of course, processing power can only do so much. You also need a good graphics card to get the best framerates and performance. Today, I’ll focus on two GPUs that pair the best with the 9800X3D, one that prioritizes great performance with good value, and a premium option that offers the best possible experience at higher resolutions.
Before moving on make sure you check the following detailed tutorial on how to choose the best graphics card for you: How to Choose a Graphics Card
Our Top Picks
- MSI SHADOW GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (Amazon Link) – Best Value GPU for Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- GIGABYTE Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 (Amazon Link) – Best Premium GPU For Ryzen 7 9800X3D
(affiliate links)
Why Should You Trust Us?
Every recommendation here is grounded in decades of real-world PC building experience. The author, Konstantinos Chiotis, has been building gaming rigs since the age of 14, and he channels that passion into exploring every component of a system. By combining in-depth knowledge of motherboards, GPUs, and other core components, he filters out the noise to provide insights that matter.
This dedication to learning about new tech and discussing hardware in detail ensures each suggestion is backed by hands-on expertise. Whether it’s about motherboard compatibility or fine-tuning a build for better performance, the focus remains on delivering factual and practical advice for pc builders and enthusiasts alike.
How We Chose The Best GPUs for Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Selecting the best graphics cards for the 9800X3D involved more than just focusing on raw power. The process prioritized key factors such as performance scaling with the CPU, future-proof features, and overall efficiency. Because the 9800X3D is a high-performance chip, a capable GPU must complement its sheer speed to prevent bottlenecks and maximize frame rates. The following points break down the main considerations:
- Performance at High Resolutions
Since the 9800X3D excels in single-core and multi-core tasks, it’s vital to match it with GPUs that can keep up in both 1440p and 4K. Cards that easily surpass triple-digit frame rates at these resolutions are preferable to make full use of the CPU’s capabilities. - Ray Tracing and AI Upscaling
Modern titles increasingly leverage ray tracing and advanced upscaling techniques, so those features had to be on the checklist. The chosen GPUs needed to handle intensive effects without sacrificing smooth gameplay—especially important when pushing visual settings to their limits. - Efficient Architecture
Power consumption is another big deal. Efficient cards generate less heat and noise, translating to a smoother overall gaming experience. With the 9800X3D’s focus on energy efficiency, pairing it with a GPU that follows that same philosophy helps maintain balanced thermals and minimizes unnecessary power draw. - VRAM Capacity and Clock Speeds
The 9800X3D thrives on speed, so a GPU with generous VRAM and higher clock speeds ensures consistent performance in demanding titles. Enough VRAM is essential for 4K textures, and higher clock speeds help push frame rates even further. - Balanced Cooling and Design
Even with a powerful CPU and GPU combo, good thermal design makes a real difference. A well-ventilated cooler and sturdy build quality prevent throttling under heavy loads, which maintains performance over long gaming sessions. - Port Availability and Power Requirements
It’s important to consider the system as a whole. Modern ports like DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 unlock features such as variable refresh rates and 4K at high refresh rates. Meanwhile, cards that require a reasonable wattage make the entire rig easier to manage, especially for those who might already have a capable power supply.
Below is a quick reference table summarizing the criteria involved:
| Criteria | Importance for 9800X3D |
|---|---|
| High-Resolution Performance | Takes advantage of the CPU’s gaming muscle for 1440p/4K. |
| Ray Tracing & AI Features | Delivers advanced visuals and stable frame rates in modern titles. |
| Power Efficiency | Matches the 9800X3D’s efficient design and keeps thermals in check. |
| VRAM & Clock Speeds | Supports future-proofing and boosts frame rates in resource-heavy games. |
| Effective Cooling | Ensures sustained performance under long play sessions. |
| Connectivity & Power | Includes modern ports and manageable power draw for hassle-free builds. |
Keeping these considerations in mind helps narrow down which GPUs genuinely elevate the 9800X3D’s performance. By focusing on real-world gaming benchmarks, thermals, and reliable build quality, it’s easier to identify cards that strike the right balance of features, efficiency, and raw horsepower—ensuring a top-tier experience with this flagship processor.
Best GPUs for Ryzen 7 9800X3D Reviews
MSI SHADOW GeForce RTX 5070 Ti – Our Top Choice
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is arguably the fastest CPU for gaming and can handle any GPU. Based on all of its features, the best pairing for it would be the MSI Shadow RTX 5070 Ti.
The MSI Shadow RTX 5070 Ti is a card that completely embraces the black color and the overall design matches the tone as well. It is perfect for those who are staunch anti-RGB PC builders that would much rather prefer a completely dark and moody computer from the inside.
There isn’t much to discuss about the MSI Shadow’s design but what I am thankful for is that it is not large. Even with three fans, the card stays right under 12 inches in length and takes just a tad more than 2 PCIe slots.
The fans are decent at keeping the card cool – during gaming, the GPU remains at around 65 degrees Celsius and the card remains a bit audible at just around 40 decibels; this card would have benefitted from a better cooler, but at least it still manages decent thermals and noise levels at a much smaller size.
Of course nothing else matters if the performance is poor, but the 5070 Ti exceeded my expectations greatly. It basically trades blows with the previous gen RTX 4080 in gaming and is actually a bit faster than the RTX 4090 when it comes to AI workloads, so if you need a budget AI GPU, the 5070 Ti is perhaps one of the absolutely best options right now. The RTX 4090 can reach 1321 AI TOPS which is still considered an incredibly impressive number, but the 5070 Ti easily beats it out at 1406 AI TOPS. Off course the 4090 does have more VRAM so it may still be better than the 5070 Ti if you are trying to load an AI model directly into the GPU VRAM that is more than 16 GB.
Now, Nvidia does target this as a premium 1440p GPU, and they are right with that; at native 1440p, Black Myth: Wukong runs at just under 60 FPS with the Cinematic preset which is the highest graphical setting. Black Myth: Wukong is a super-difficult Unreal Engine 5 game so it would make sense to slightly alter the settings to achieve a locked 60 FPS in this game. Aside from that, Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 1440p with the highest quality setting including ray tracing at a locked 60 FPS.
Despite that, it can even do 4K gaming at around 50 to 60 FPS.
Taking a look at the competition, there are excellent choices from Asus and Gigabyte, but all of them seem to be out of stock everywhere or far more expensive than even the RTX 5080. The ASUS Prime 5070 Ti is a nicer looking card that is quieter and feels more premium but is nowhere to be found. The Gigabyte Eagle 5070 Ti is a great alternative with slightly better cooling, but it is much more expensive and not worth considering. The MSI Shadow is only one that is closest to the Suggested Retail Price of the RTX 5070 Ti.
All in all, the MSI Shadow RTX 5070 Ti is perhaps one of the best deals in GPUs right now. You get a 1440p gaming beast that can even do 4K gaming really well and should be a game-changer for those looking to work hands-on with AI professionally without spending a fortune.
To sum up what I like is the…
- Flawless 1440p raster performance
- Excellent 4K raster and 1440p ray tracing performance
- Insane AI horsepower
On the downside
- Design is devoid of any character
- Should be a bit cooler and quieter
GIGABYTE Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 – Best Premium GPU For Ryzen 7 9800X3D
If you are rocking the fastest CPU for gaming, then it’s a no-brainer to go with the fastest GPU as well. There is no better pairing to the 9800X3D than the RTX 5090.
The Gigabyte Gaming GeForce RTX 5090 is one of the largest graphics cards that I have ever laid my eyes upon. It completely takes up 3 PCIe slots and the fan shroud encroaches the 4th slot ever so slightly – wherever you decide to put this card, make sure there is a ton of breathing room. And you are definitely going to need more breathing room because the 5090 is rated to run at a TDP of 575 Watts! That is just 25 Watts shy of the 600 Watt limit of the 12 VHPWR connector.
The good news is that the cooler does its job well, keeping the 5090 under 68 degrees Celsius during gaming while producing noise levels below 36 decibels so you won’t even hear it once it’s inside a case. Please note that this card has a dual BIOS switch with a “Performance” and a default “Quiet” profile. Switching to the performance profile decreases temps to just about 62 degrees while the fans spin faster and become slightly audible at just under 40 decibels.
The massive size and incredible cooling are useless if the performance is simply not there. The good news is that the 5090 is outright the fastest GPU for gaming and productivity. Simply crank up any game at native 4K to the highest possible graphical settings and play.
Games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and Alan Wake 2 finally run decently with their settings pushed to the limit. The RTX 5090 is the only GPU capable of playing these titles at epic quality settings in native 4K. Both Alan Wake 2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 run at an average of 71 FPS.
Other high demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty runs at 4K natively with ray tracing and the ultra graphical preset at around 100 FPS with the new transformer-based upscaling model. The 5090 is also a dream come true for eSports fans, so if you’ve ever wanted to play CS2 at 4K with high settings, the 5090 can achieve almost 500 FPS at these settings.
The real dream, however, has always been to play games at 8K and with the RTX 5090, that might actually come true. Still, you should keep your expectations in check. 8K is no joke; you are asking a GPU to render 33 million pixels at least 30 times in a second to get the same level of performance as the gaming consoles.
That being said, the earliest adopters of 8K TVs and monitors who really want to experience this insanely high resolution, will finally be able to do so with little compromise.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty can run at 8K native with the high preset at a steady 35 FPS, however, I recommend playing games at 8K with AI image upscaling. Just stay away from frame generation as it will significantly increase input lag and cause artifacting on the screen.
Nvidia is pushing its new frame generation tech because of the enormous generational improvement that the 5090 has in AI compared to the 4090. The 5090 is about two and a half times faster than the 4090 in AI and can hold much larger models in memory thanks to 32 GB GDDR7 VRAM compared to the 4090’s 24 GB GDDR6X VRAM.
The only other alternatives currently available are the MSI VANGUARD GeForce RTX 5090 and the MSI Gaming Trio GeForce RTX 5090. They are minimally more expensive than the Gigabyte Gaming 5090 but at the same time also clock just a bit less than it while also being much bigger in size. The Gigabyte Gaming can easily clock to 2550 MHz while the MSI cards max out at 2510 unless manually overclocked.
In conclusion, if you need a single GPU that does everything and money is not an issue, then there isn’t a better option than the Gigabyte Gaming RTX 5090. As long as you can manage the high heat and power requirements, it will come out on top in any given scenario, whether it’s 4K gaming or intense AI workloads.
To sum up whatI like is the
- Flawless 4K performance
- Unmatched performance for AI workloads
- Quiet even at full load
On the downside
- Really high power requirements
- Plenty of heat generation
FAQ
1. What does a CPU bottleneck mean when pairing a GPU with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D?
A CPU bottleneck means the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is capable of pushing more frames, but the graphics card slows things down. In other words, the GPU can’t keep up with the processor’s raw gaming power, causing frame rates to plateau.
2. How does ray tracing affect performance on a Ryzen 7 9800X3D build?
Ray tracing uses extra graphical horsepower to generate realistic lighting and shadows, so a powerful GPU is needed to handle it smoothly alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Fortunately, this CPU has enough headroom to manage ray tracing in most modern games without hitting high utilization limits.
3. Why is VRAM capacity important for a 9800X3D-based gaming PC?
VRAM capacity is the video memory the GPU uses to handle textures and graphical data. A 9800X3D-based gaming PC can easily play games at high resolutions, so GPUs with more VRAM will help maintain smooth performance, especially at 1440p and above.
4. What kind of power supply wattage should be considered for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D with a modern GPU?
A power supply in the 700W to 900W range is recommended, depending on the GPU’s power draw. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is quite efficient, leaving room for high-performance graphics cards. Check the GPU’s official requirements to pick the right PSU wattage.
5. How big of a difference does a factory overclock make on GPUs for the 9800X3D?
A factory overclock raises clock speeds to improve frame rates by around 5–10% compared to reference models. With the 9800X3D, that small boost can help in demanding titles, but it’s not always necessary unless aiming for the highest possible performance.
6. What is the purpose of a dual-slot GPU design when building a 9800X3D rig?
A dual-slot GPU design is slimmer, making it easier to fit in most PC cases. This is convenient for users who prefer more compact cases or have multiple expansion cards alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
7. How important are AI upscaling features for gaming on a 9800X3D PC?
AI upscaling features can improve performance by rendering at a lower resolution, then upscaling it to look as sharp as native resolution. Since the 9800X3D is built for efficiency and speed, AI upscaling helps maintain stable frame rates without sacrificing visuals.
8. Do I need to worry about coil whine on GPUs paired with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D?
Coil whine is a high-pitched noise from a GPU under load. It varies by model and usage. While some graphics cards minimize coil whine through better component quality, it’s not guaranteed to be silent. The 9800X3D itself doesn’t cause coil whine, but strong performance can make the GPU work harder.
9. Why is the 12VHPWR cable sometimes needed for high-end GPUs in a 9800X3D build?
The 12VHPWR cable combines power delivery into a single connector capable of handling over 600W. High-end GPUs that pair with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D often use this new standard to simplify cable management and supply enough power for demanding tasks.
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