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The GeForce GTX 970 is a higher-performance GPU for gaming. It is based on Nvidia Maxwell Architecture and gives a decent performance even now. However, without some particular processor it ends up giving a bottleneck and thus the performance comes out totally unreliable. This GPU can run 4k as well as 1080p gaming if the CPU is compatible. Though a PC system’s power lies in the compatibility of the components, CPU and motherboard have the most significant role in this term. Here is the recommended list of the best CPU for gtx 970 from which you can choose the right one. The GTX 970 is still good, providing a high performance for serious games. It can easily run 1080p and you can play it at 60fps with medium settings. But it becomes perfect if you have a particular suitable CPU to run as well as a good motherboard.
Whether you want to play games and stream or overclock, it is necessary for the perfect CPU and GPU duo. Also, a compatible motherboard that can boost that pair’s performance is another thing to consider during building a PC. Choose whichever one here for your GTX 970 as all of them are the best in their aspect for it.
Best CPU to pair with GTX 970
| Model | Cores / Threads |
Core Clock / Boost Clock |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/6 | 3.6 / 4.3 GHz | Check Price | |
| 6/12 | 3.4 / 3.9 GHz | Check Price | |
| 4/8 | 4.0 / 4.4 GHz | Check Price | |
| 8/8 | 4.0 / 4.2 GHz | Check Price | |
| 6/6 | 3.7 / 4.6 GHz | Check Price |
Intel Core i5 8600k
What Recent Buyers Report
The Core i5 8600K is a sonic fast processor that runs cool well. Though it doesn’t come with stock fans, you can get the max out of it with a good additional cooler. It is one of those processors that the majority of people will need. It is both fast and awesome for gaming. The power with this chip is something you will need for intense gaming. Moreover, by pairing it with a good motherboard, you can easily overclock it too. It is a good buy with easy installing, fast & reliable performance, incredible power. In comparison to Intel’s 7th and 8th gen CPU, the later ones are the best as it gains more multi-threaded over the previous generation.
Our Review
If you see from the view of pure and fast performance, i5-8600K still remains one of the best CPUs as of today. Though it lacks HyperThreading, it provides strong performance in both productivity applications and games. It does not come with stock fans, that’s why an additional cooler is needed. It is easy to install and does not overheat. However, overclocking may get more heat to it. It can be a great choice of processor for a medium-budget build. The 3.6GHz base frequency and the powerful cores along with strong threads make this CPU more powerful.
Who Will Use This Most
The i5-8600K is strictly best for gaming. However, it can be used for streaming and video editing also. You can also overclock it or just unlock all the cores and it will just present a great performance.
What makes it our “Choice”
It is a sonic fast and powerful processor that does not require much power unless you overclock it. Even without overclocking, you can unleash almost the same performance by unlocking all the cores. It is the best 8th gen Intel CPU for medium-budget. That’s why we considered it as the best processor for GTX 970
Key Features & Downsides
Key Features: Intel Core i5-86000K comes with 6/6 core/threads, UHD Graphics 630, and a total TDP of 95W. It has a base frequency of 3.60GHz and a max Turbo frequency of 4.3GHz. The lithography is 14nm manufacture, and the cache is a total of 9MB. Also, it has a max of 16 x PCI Express 3.0 lanes. The i5 8600K has a 128GB maximum memory capacity of DDR4 type and the bandwidth is 41.6 Gb/s.
Downsides: This processor itself lacks HyperThreading and requires a heatsink as it does not come with the box.
- Strong performance in both productivity applications and games
- Large multi-threaded gains over the previous generation
- Unlocked-multiplier
- Lacks HyperThreading
- New motherboard required
- Requires Heatsink
Final Thoughts
With six overclockable cores and strong threads performance, it remains one of the best processors.
Ryzen 5 2600
What Recent Buyers Report
Among some of the best AMD CPUs, Ryzen 5 2600 really lives up to expectations. It is a super-strong processor and compatible with many options of motherboards, Graphics cards, and more. It is frequent for many users and is recommended highly. The cooler that comes along can do the job alone and provides pretty decent performance. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is in those ranks of AMD CPUs which are best at anything. Nowadays not many CPUs come with a cooler or heatsink that needs extra cost for buying a separate one. It presents a quite decent performance at both gaming and photoshop working. It is inexpensive and the price to performance ratio is good as well. Moreover, it offers excellent performance at WOW gaming.
Our Review
Ryzen 5 2600 offers beastly performance in anything be it gaming or productivity works. Its 12 threads work together and multi-tasking, that’s why is becoming more of a fun project. It makes the system last longer. This CPU has one of the coolest and quietest fans that you can find. It stays cool and quiet that makes the processor stay cool. The temperature does not exceed 65°C. However, it does not offer much room for overclocking. Moreover, it comes with no integrated graphics.
Who Will Use This Most
This processor can possibly do anything with outstanding results. While keeping cool, it will handle gaming as well as heavy workloads.
Key Features & Downsides
Key Features: Ryzen 5 2600 comes with a 6/12 core and threads with a total TDP of 65W. Also, it comes with a 3.40GHz Base frequency and 3.90GHz of max Turbo Frequency. Along with 12nm of lithography manufacture, it has a cache of a total of 3MB. Moreover, it has up to 16 PCI-E 3.0 lanes. It has 2 DDR4 memory channels with a bandwidth of 2933 MHz.
Downsides: Ryzen 5 2600 comes with limited all-core overclocking room and no integrated graphics.
- Good temperatures
- Outstanding performance in multi-thread
- Good cost to performance ratio
- Limited headroom for all-core overclocking
- Gaming performance is lower than competing Intel Core i5 chips
- No integrated graphics
Final Thoughts
If you consider the competing Intel i5 Gen CPUs, the Ryzen 5 2600 still lacks some important points. With an upgrade, it may excel the remaining drawbacks. However, it still is the best AMD CPU for GTX 970
Intel Core i7-4790k
What Recent Buyers Report
The Intel Core i7-4790K is an awesome processor with an awesome overclocking ability and the Z97 board users can get the best out of this CPU. Though it has a great overclocking ability, most gamers hardly overclock it as it itself is powerful enough to carry on. It has pretty decent onboard Graphics support and it runs cool as well. Although the price is exactly not low, the features and options are too many to choose from. It is also highly recommended for its powerful performance, reasonable price, and the cool system that it keeps.
Our Review
The Core i7-4790K is more likely a high-end processor since it has relations with the previous processors which were super expensive and also had many premium features. The cooling fan and Noctua fan are really cool and quiet enough to make a silent and peaceful working atmosphere. However, it runs super cool even if you don’t notch it up with Noctua cooling fans. With four strong cores and eight threads, it offers super powerful performance for both gamers and overclockers. The Graphics outputs are DO, HDMI, VGA, eDP, and DVI. The most important part is, if you want a more long-lasting system, pair it with any Z97 board. However, good Z97 mobos are hard to find these days and the price of this processor is also increasing day by day.
Who Will Use This Most
Gaming is most likely the best and main thing that this processor can do. It is also great at overclocking.
Key Features & Downsides
Key Features: The Intel Core i7-4790K comes with 4/8 core/threads, a total TDP of 88W, and Intel HD Graphics 4600. The Base frequency is of 4.0GHz, and the max Turbo frequency is 4.40GHz. The cache is 8MB, and it has 22nm of lithography manufacture. The maximum memory capacity is 32GB of DDR3 type and the bandwidth is 25.6 Gb/s.
Downsides: The price of this processor is increasing day by day.
- Intel’s first all-core 4GHz processor
- Runs cooler
- Virtualization technology
- Increasing price day by day
- No improvements to graphics
- Variable Haswell overclocking
Final Thoughts
The Intel Core i7-4790K is an outstanding processor that comes with loads of great features and powerful performances. Look for more if you don’t intend to have a high-budget CPU.
AMD FX-8350
What Recent Buyers Report
If you’re here with a mid-low budget, then FX 8350 can be the best for you. It is relatively a budget processor and easily upgradeable. The cooling system is not something to be a fan of. It offers super excellent gaming performance but it needs an aftermarket cooler to keep it cooler. Moreover, rendering feature films without crashing as well as doing photoshop works without lagging is its particularity. According to many buyers, it is better not to use the fan that comes with it as that sounds like a wrecked car or you can say like a fighter jet plane.
Our Review
AMD FX-8350 is a decent CPU with good cooling and creates a great system if it can be paired with a compatible motherboard as well as other components. However, it runs loud and hot which can be mended with some steps. To prevent it from being hot, you have to pair it with a decent aftermarket cooler. And to have a quiet working atmosphere, it is better to not use the stock fans. With a compatible motherboard, the performance will boost to the sky. Moreover, the graphics support is good and it runs fast as well. This am3+ processor comes with 8/8 core/threads. It is easy to install. The max temperature capacity of this processor is 61°C. It supports DDR3 memory channels with a more than 1866 MHz memory specification.
Who Will Use This Most
The AMD FX-8350 is great at overclocking, gaming, and also does a good job at workstations. Moreover, this one renders any feature films smoothly and without any crashes also.
Key Features & Downsides
Key Features: The AMD FX-8350 comes with 8/8 core/threads and a total TDP of 125W. The Base frequency is of 4.0GHz, and the max Turbo frequency is 4.2GHz. The cache is 8MB, and it has 52nm of lithography manufacture. It has a 32GB maximum memory capacity of DDR3 type and the bandwidth is 1866 MHz.
Downsides: The single-core performance needs upgrading and it still is in the use of 32nm lithography while intel is already at 22nm.
- Eight cores and 5GHz on desktop computer
- Reasonable price
- Improved performance and power consumption
- “Low” but adequate single threaded performance
- It still uses 32nm
- Single core performance still lags far behind Intel
Final Thoughts
Though the AMD FX-8350 is still far behind in many aspects in comparison with Intel, it is a great processor with outstanding performance and is a good CPU for GTX 970.
Intel Core i5-9600k
What Recent Buyers Report
This CPUs impressive thing is it can handle the 4K resolution easily. With no installation issues, it is surprisingly of great performance for every use. To avoid any overheating issue, it should be paired with an adequate cooling system and needs a reliable thermal paste application.
Our Review
The Intel Core i5 9600K is a perfect designation of a mid-range gaming CPU. The six-strong cores it has to make it for the processor to get the tweaking of the hardware. And the result adds a little better performance over time. Core i5 9600K, an awesome gaming processor without any restriction in any games. It is based on the CoffeeLake architecture and also supports the Intel Optane memory. The important concern is to have an adequate cooling system or you can get an aftermarket cooler. It is easy to install, fast, reliable and is the best deal for its price. With the unlocked multiplier, it is easy for it to be overclocked. It is also easily overclockable up to 5GHz on all cores.
Who Will Use This Most
The Core i5 9600K is strictly made for gamers and streamers. However, the overclock enthusiasts can expect a great performance from it. It provides one of the best gaming outputs and performances that makes the users hooked up with it. Unless you pair it with a Z-series motherboard, you can’t expect it to provide satisfactory overclocking performance.
Key Features & Downsides
Key Features: The Intel Core i5 9600K comes with a 6/6 core and threads, a total of 95W of TDP, and integrated UHD 630 Graphics. It features 4.60GHz of max Turbo Frequency and 3.70GHz of a base frequency. Moreover, it comes with 14nm of lithography manufacture, and 9MB of cache. Along with 16 x PCI Express 3.0 lanes, the i5 9600K features a maximum of 41.6 Gb/s of memory bandwidth.
Downsides: The Core i5-9600K comes with no bundled cooler or heatsink or stock fans. Also, it requires a Z-series mobo to be overclocked.
- Single-threaded performance
- Requires Z-series motherboard to overclock
- No bundled Cooler included
Final Thoughts
Intel i5 9600K is pretty inexpensive with loads of features and options along with the specialty of the best gaming performance.
Robert Hofmann is a Software Engineer and working under a tech company in New York. He has a passion for searching and researching tech products which led him to open GamingSpice.
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