With 8 cores and 16 threads, AMD Ryzen 3700X remains a formidable mid-range gaming CPU. However, to get the most out of it, a powerful dedicated GPU is needed. In this article, we will be taking an in-depth look at the best GPU for AMD Ryzen 7 3700X.
Here we will review several candidates from both AMD and NVIDIA that are suitable for smooth 1080p and 1440p gaming with the 3700X. This includes entry-level models like the ASUS DUAL RTX 3060 and higher-end alternatives such as the MSI RX 6800 and Gigabyte RX 7800 XT.
Compact yet powerful solutions from Zotac will also be examined. Finally, we will look at the ASRock RX 6700 XT Phantom, a balanced choice designed with AMD pairings in mind. Through benchmarks and analysis of specifications, cooling, noise, and performance - we aim to determine some of the best graphics cards to unleash the potential of the Ryzen 7 3700X. You can also check our article for the best GPU for i5 12600K if you are interested in changing platform.
Let’s get started by first reviewing the candidates on offer. Stay tuned for the in-depth analysis ahead. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.
Best GPU for Ryzen 7 3700X Summary
Image | Model | Price |
---|---|---|
ASUS DUAL RTX 3060 V2 | See on Amazon | |
GIGABYTE RX 7800 XT GAMING OC | See on Amazon | |
MSI GAMING X TRIO Radeon RX 6800 | See on Amazon | |
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Twin Edge OC White Edition | See on Amazon | |
ASRock RX 6700 XT Phantom Gaming OC | See on Amazon |
Best GPU for Ryzen 7 3700X Review
ASUS DUAL RTX 3060 V2
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Attractive price point
✓ Compact dual-slot design
✓ Decent thermals
✓ Robust feature set
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Understated looks
✗ Lower than factory OC models
✗ Only single 8-pin power connector
When it comes to mid-range graphics cards, ASUS and their DUAL line have long been a mainstay of the market. With the RTX 3060, ASUS looks to continue that tradition of offering reliable and affordable graphics performance. Released at the beginning of 2021, the DUAL RTX 3060 V2 is ASUS’s entry-level model based on Nvidia’s GA106 Ampere GPU. Let’s take a closer look at what this card has to offer.
The DUAL RTX 3060 V2 features a dual fan cooling solution in a compact two-slot design measuring 200mm in length. The black and grey shroud gives the card an understated look that will fit in most PC builds. Display connectivity includes three DisplayPort 1.4a ports and a single HDMI 2.1 output.
Power is delivered through a single 8-pin connector. Under the hood, this card comes equipped with 3584 CUDA cores, 112 Tensor cores, 28 RT cores, and 12GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus. Out of the box, the card runs with a boost clock of 1777MHz.
To test performance, we ran the card through a variety of games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions with graphics settings maxed out. In titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Far Cry 5, the DUAL RTX 3060 V2 averaged over 90fps at 1080p and around 65fps at 1440p.
Esports games like Fortnite and Apex Legends easily stayed above 120fps at 1080p. The RTX 3060 also held its own in more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 with settings in the high 50s to low 70s fps at 1080p.
Ray tracing and DLSS support allowed these titles to maintain playable frame rates at higher resolutions as well. Overall gaming performance is on par with what you’d expect from an entry-level Ampere GPU. We have also listed the best GPU for Ryzen 5 2600 so that budget users don’t feel left out.
Keeping temperatures and noise levels in check is crucial for an affordable dual fan design. Under load, the DUAL RTX 3060 V2 peaked at around 75C, which is respectable given its compact size. The dual fans did spin up audibly but topped out at a moderate 45dB even during long gaming sessions - making this one of the quieter RTX 3060 models. Thermal pads transfer heat efficiently from the GPU and VRAM to the heatsink for dissipation out the rear.
Priced very competitively, the ASUS DUAL RTX 3060 V2 delivers solid mainstream Ampere graphics performance in a small and affordable dual fan package. The gameplay feels buttery smooth at 1080p and remains very playable even at higher resolutions. Thermals and noise are well managed too.
DUAL RTX 3060 V2 is a great option for those looking to enjoy the latest titles at reasonable settings without breaking the bank. While not as flashy as higher-end ROG STRIX models, ASUS delivers with their reliable essential gaming graphics once again.
GIGABYTE RX 7800 XT GAMING OC
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Stellar 4K gaming performance
✓ Excellent cooling keeps temperatures in check
✓ Impressive build quality and design
✓ Runs cool and quiet under load
✓ Good value compared to Nvidia competition
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Large size may not fit all cases
✗ Availability could be an issue initially
✗ Requires good power supply for its TDP
Gigabyte is a well-known company that has been manufacturing graphics cards for many years. For their latest AMD RDNA3 offering, they have launched the Gigabyte RX 7800 XT Gaming OC graphics card.
Gigabyte has given the RX 7800 XT Gaming OC a triple fan cooling solution with a metal backplate. The card looks dominant on the aesthetics front with a black and gray design theme along with RGB lighting on the fans. The build quality is excellent as expected from Gigabyte. The card is quite large measuring 310mm in length but manages to stay fairly quiet under full load thanks to the 3 fans.
In terms of specs, the Gigabyte RX 7800 XT Gaming OC comes with the full complement of RDNA3 graphics with 5,120 stream processors alongside 80 compute units. The card has 16GB of GDDR6 memory across a 256-bit bus. Gigabyte has overclocked the card with a game rate of 2.4GHz which is 50MHz higher than the reference spec. Out of the box, the card delivers great 4K gaming performance. For those who are considering to upgrade to Intel platform, we have selected the best GPU for i5 13400F as well.
During testing, the temperatures of the card stayed below 75 degrees even under heavy gaming loads which shows Gigabyte’s cooling solution is doing a commendable job. Thermals were found to be lower than other board partner models.
Noise levels were reasonable too and the fans spun at low rpm for the most part. Gaming benchmarks revealed the card is capable of delivering well over 60fps at 4K max settings in top AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Esports titles like Valorant and CS: 2 delivered over 200fps at 4K.
In summary, the Gigabyte RX 7800 XT Gaming OC is a powerful graphics card that provides excellent 4K gaming performance. Its cooling performance makes it a cool and quiet option. Gigabyte’s execution of the design aesthetics is top-notch and the card looks stunning. This graphics card is a great pick for those looking for an AMD alternative at the high-end segment with ray tracing and FSR 3 support.
MSI GAMING X TRIO Radeon RX 6800
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Excellent thermal performance from cooler
✓ Good performance boost from factory overclock
✓ Impressive build quality and RGB lighting
✓ Runs cool and quiet during gaming loads
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Huge size may not fit all chassis
✗ Availability could be an issue
✗ Requires good power supply due to TDP
MSI is a leading brand when it comes to manufacturing graphics cards and the MSI Gaming X Trio RX 6800 is one of their flagship RDNA2 offerings. The card features MSI’s signature matte black and red colored triple fan cooling solutions along with RGB lighting on the fans. The overall build quality is top notch as one would expect from a high-end model.
In terms of specifications, the card is equipped with the full complement of RDNA2 architecture including 3840 stream processors and 240 texture mapping units powered by the Navi 21 GPU. It packs 16GB of GDDR6 RAM connected through a 256-bit bus. MSI has factory overclocked the card with a boost speed of 2155MHz which is 50MHz higher than the reference clocks. This provides extra grunt for gaming. Do you wonder if graphics card and video card are the same thing or not? Check the details on our article.
During testing, the card’s temperatures stayed below 75 degrees even while gaming at maxed-out settings for hours. This shows MSI’s cooler is highly capable of handling the thermal load. Noise levels of the fans were low and RPM remained under 1800 RPM most of the time. In gaming benchmarks, the card delivered well above 60fps at 4K and 1440p in all the latest titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Fortnite, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at max settings. Esports titles easily maxed out the FPS counter.
The MSI Gaming X Trio RX 6800 offers superb performance for 1440p and 4K gaming while maintaining good thermals and low noise. The aesthetic design and build quality of the card is top-notch. It provides a great experience right out of the box with factory overclocked speeds. For those looking for an AMD alternative with ray tracing and smart access memory support, this graphics card is a worthy consideration.
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Twin Edge OC White Edition
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Excellent thermals and quietness for its size
✓ Factory overclock provides nicer performance than reference
✓ Fits easily into mini ITX and SFF builds
✓ Distinctive all-white shroud design stands out
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Smaller cooler limits further overclocking headroom
✗ May experience warmer temperatures in hotter environments
✗ Limited aftermarket support from Zotac compared to bigger brands
Zotac is a well-known brand for producing smaller sized graphics cards and the Twin Edge series focuses on delivering a compact yet powerful design. The Twin Edge RTX 4070 OC Edition comes factory overclocked right out of the box and features a unique white shroud design making it stand out. Measuring only 226mm in length, the card fits easily into small form factor builds.
In terms of raw specifications, the Twin Edge packs 5888 CUDA cores powered by the Ada Lovelace AD104 GPU. It features 12GB of GDDR6X memory running at 21Gbps over a 192-bit bus interface. Zotac has tuned the base clock to 1920MHz with a boost frequency of 2490MHz using their one-click OC profile. This optimized speed provides a nice uptick in performance over the reference speeds.
During testing under full gaming loads, the temperatures did not exceed 72 degrees even after hours of gameplay. This is impressive given the compact dual-fan cooler. Noise levels were kept low by the fans rarely exceeding 1500RPM. As for performance, the card easily delivered over 60FPS at 1440p ultra settings and managed very playable frame rates of 30-50FPS while pushing demanding titles at 4K max settings. Esports titles averaged 150-250FPS at 1080p resolution. Do you run into Blue Screen due to graphics card issues? Check the quick fixes we have listed on our article.
Zotac Twin Edge RTX 4070 OC Edition showed it can hang with the big models despite its small size. The aesthetics and all-white shroud give it some flair and will match white-themed builds nicely. Right out of the box, it provides a boost in clocks to gain a few more frames. Thermals and noise were well managed too making it a joy to use even during long gaming marathons. Its compact dimensions also make SFF compatibility a breeze.
In summary, the Twin Edge RTX 4070 OC White Edition from Zotac proves that greater things can come in smaller packages. It fulfills the role of a powerful yet portable graphics card very well. Those looking for an RTX 4070 that can fit into compact spaces will want to consider this model.
ASRock RX 6700 XT Phantom Gaming OC
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Factory overclocks provide higher speeds than reference
✓ Dual fan cooler keeps temperatures low for maximum performance
✓ Attractive design with RGB lighting stand out
✓ Capable of smooth 1440p and 2K gaming with the 3700X
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Specific case clearance still needed due its increased size
✗ Single BIOS configuration compared to higher end models
The ASRock RX 6700 XT Phantom Gaming OC Edition is an excellent graphics card choice for those looking to pair a new GPU with their existing AMD Ryzen 7 3700X gaming system. ASRock has long been known for their reliable products that offer great value and the Phantom 6700 XT is no exception.
The dual slot cooler on this mid-sized card keeps temperatures low allowing the factory overclocks to be utilized even during marathon gaming sessions. Fresh air is drawn in via the axial fan design and blown out the rear. Addressable RGB lighting along the edge adds flare without being overstated.
Specifications include the Navi 22 GPU with 2560 stream processors and 12GB of GDDR6 memory. ASRock has stepped the card up even further out of the box with a Game Clock of 2419MHz and Boost Clock reaching 2615MHz which provides a nice uplift over reference speeds. This helps the 6700 XT shine when paired with the multithreaded 3700X. We have also described the complete anatomy of a graphics card, so check that for an excellent understanding of GPUs.
Benchmarks show the ASRock 6700 XT Phantom Gaming OC had no issues pushing even demanding AAA titles at higher resolutions like 1440p and 2K with visuals maxed. Frame rates comfortably stayed above 60FPS. Lighter esports titles could be played at up to 240Hz. Thermals were also well managed, staying below 74 degrees even under sustained extreme loads.
The 3700X CPU proves to be a solid match, offering plenty of processing power without bottlenecking the GPU. Its 8 cores and 16 threads take advantage of modern APIs and work in harmony with the 6700 XT’s capabilities. PCIe Gen 4 support from both components also ensures top-tier bandwidth.
Overall the ASRock RX 6700 XT Phantom Gaming OC Edition is an excellent choice for those wanting to pair an already strong AMD system like the 3700X with a powerful new GPU. Its aesthetics, cooling performance, and factory overclocks help maximize the potential of this pairing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all the graphics cards reviewed here prove to be excellent options for those seeking to pair a powerful new GPU with their Ryzen 7 3700X system. Whether choosing AMD or NVIDIA depends on gaming needs, resolution targeted, and personal preference.
The ASRock RX 6700 XT Phantom offers factory overclocks and cooling for smooth 1440p performance alongside the 3700X. The ASUS DUAL RTX 3060 provides reliable 1080p and 1440p gameplay at a budget-friendly price point. Meanwhile, the Gigabyte RX 7800 XT excels for feature-rich 4K experiences.
For smaller form factor builds, the Zotac Twin Edge RTX 4070 fits the bill while still delivering high-fidelity visuals. Gamers wanting high-refresh 1440p can rely on the MSI RX 6800. In any case, all are great GPU companions for the capable AMD Ryzen 7 3700X processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these GPUs cause a bottleneck when paired with the Ryzen 7 3700X CPU?
The 3700X’s strong multi-core performance paired with modern APIs ensures that none of these GPUs will cause a significant bottleneck in games at 1080p, 1440p, or 4K resolutions depending on the specific graphics card.
What is the minimum power supply recommended for these systems?
A high-quality 550W power supply is generally sufficient when combining a Ryzen 7 3700X with any of these GPUs. A 650W or higher unit provides additional overhead for future upgrades or overclocking.
Do these GPUs support PCIe Gen 4 from the 3700X motherboard?
Yes, all the graphics cards are PCIe Gen 4 compatible, so they can take full advantage of the high bandwidth provided by the 3700X CPU and compatible chipset when installed on a PCIe Gen 4 motherboard.