What to pair with an RX 6800?
What to pair with an RX 6800?
Considering your budget, you're looking to stay under $250 for the CPU while keeping your overall spend around $1200. The ASUS TUF RX 6800 already consumes a lot of power, so pairing it with an Intel CPU would be a smart choice. An i5-11400F fits well within your limits and offers solid performance. If you're open to upgrading, the 10th generation i7 could work too, but sticking with the 12th gen i5-11400F seems more balanced given your current setup.
I connect my RX 6800 XT with an i5-12400 without any issues. GPU usage stays at 99% all the time, AAA titles run non-stop at 100+fps in 1440p. However, Spider-man Remastered with RT High demands around 90% CPU power. Other games stay under 60%, while older AAA games typically use 20-40%. With many open-source programs and a browser enabled, I highly recommend the i5-12400 (F).
Here’s your complete list of components. I’d avoid the 10th or 11th generation models; I’d prefer a 12400f or 5600, which should match well. If you’re worried about future upgrades, the 13th gen is the next step.
This processor offers a solid performance for its price, making it a good option compared to the 5600X. I’d avoid the newer Rocket Lake and stick with a more recent 10th generation i7 instead.
This can be lowered to $400 by choosing a used GPU from eBay. Another thread matches well: 13600k 32GB DDR4 RX 6800 for $1100. Getting top specs is possible as long as you avoid common pitfalls like misleading branding, exaggerated claims, or unnecessary extras.
I’d receive a 13600k or hold off until the 13400 drops in January.
You can choose a fresh option and still stay under $1200. XFX is listing an RX 6800 on Newegg now for $480 brand new. I wouldn’t consider a used card for $400 unless it offered more than $80 in savings.
It seems the GPU just came with a really expensive card, though PCpp has a 6800 that probably deserves a better cooling solution.