The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D continues to rank among the most popular gaming CPUs, thanks to its balance of premium-tier performance and mid-range pricing. The 3D V-cache powering the chip helps it deliver up to 20% better framerates in the most demanding titles, putting it a step above the original Zen 4 lineup and certain Intel chips. Moreover, the eight-core and sixteen-threaded backbone keeps the CPU cooler than other premium options, allowing you to cut some costs.
If you're planning a build around the 9800X3D in early 2025, the graphics card must be chosen wisely. Given the chip's mid-range position, everything from entry-level to premium graphics cards pair well with it. To help you make an informed decision, we have listed the five ideal pixel pushers for the chip in this guide.
NOTE: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions. This list is ranked according to the prices of the graphics cards.
Multiple powerful GPUs can be powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
5) Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti ($399-499)
Starting with Nvidia's premium 1080p gaming video card, the RTX 4060 Ti can prove to be a fine pair for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D if you're looking for casual gaming and light creative workloads. In certain ways, it can feel a bit overkill for the AMD chip. However, it leaves enough room for future upgrades should you decide to get one of the newer 50-series video cards.
In terms of the underlying hardware, the 4060 Ti is powered by the Ada Lovelace architecture. You get 4,352 CUDA cores with 8 GB or 16 GB of VRAM. However, do note that the latter is priced at a hefty $499 — which could feel a bit too much for what the card is capable of. That said, the card is extremely power efficient and can easily fit into compact builds.
Pros:
- The GPU is pretty power efficient at just 160W TDP.
- The card is perfect for competitive gaming at 1080p.
- Supports DLSS 3.5 and ray tracing.
Cons:
- The limited 128-bit memory bus can bottleneck performance at higher resolutions.
- Struggles with 4K gaming, even with upscaling.
- The 8GB VRAM variant is insufficient for modern AAA titles at ultra settings.
4) AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT ($499)
The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is another mid-premium option to consider if you're building a 1440p gaming rig with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The GPU was launched to take on the RTX 4060 Ti and 4070 with better rasterization performance, which it does well. However, the card's lack of ray tracing and FSR upscaling could be problematic if you're aiming for high-resolution gaming.
Additionally, this GPU packs 3,840 shading units and 16GB of GDDR6 memory with a 256-bit bus. Although the card's power efficiency and ray tracing capabilities significantly trail behind that of its Nvidia counterparts, the rasterization performance gives us reason enough to consider it as an alternative.
Pros:
- The 16GB VRAM ensures future-proofing for a couple of years.
- The 7800 XT presents superb value for money.
Cons:
- Performance in ray-traced games lags behind Nvidia counterparts.
- Requires a high-end power supply due to its 263W TDP.
- Limited overclocking headroom compared to Nvidia cards.
3) Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super ($599)
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super is a mid-range GPU built for 1440p gaming. The card can be effectively paired with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D if you're targeting a sub-$1,500 build. Although it debuted at $599, the 70-class pixel pusher might be discounted further following the launch of the 5070 next month.
With 8,192 CUDA cores and 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM, this GPU is designed for no-compromises 1440p gaming. Even 4K is possible with DLSS enabled. Unlike AMD's alternatives, this card supports Nvidia-only features like Frame Generation and Ray Reconstruction, which helps it output better quality images with AI upscaling enabled. The GPU is also capable enough for light AI workloads, such as training basic computer vision models and prompting small language models.
Pros:
- High power efficiency at 265W TDP.
- Supports DLSS 3.5 for improved AI upscaling and frame generation.
- Most designs are compact with dual fans thanks to the efficient power budget.
Cons:
- Priced higher than some AMD equivalents.
- Limited performance improvement over the standard RTX 4070 in some scenarios.
- Still falls short in raw rasterization compared to AMD’s high-core GPUs.
2) Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super ($999)
For gamers looking to future-proof their builds, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super can be a good pair with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The card is placed in the premium segment — however — you'll have to shell out an eye-watering $999 for the performance it can pump out. Do note, that the GPU is designed for enthusiasts and casual gamers won't benefit much from the investment.
With 10,240 CUDA cores and 16GB of GDDR6X memory, this card is built for 4K gaming and demanding creative workloads. In terms of ray tracing performance, it is one of the best in the market. Moreover, the extra rendering horsepower also makes it workstation-worthy. AI enthusiasts can also perform a significant amount of training and fine-tuning on the card without spending a dime on RunPod credits.
Pros:
- Excellent 4K performance with high frame rates.
- 256-bit memory interface ensures high memory bandwidth.
- Ray tracing performance of the card is largely unmatched.
Cons:
- The $999 price point makes it a premium option for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
- Most designs are extremely large, which could limit PC case options.
- Power consumption of 320W can be taxing on lower-end PSUs.
1) Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 ($1,599)
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 remains a capable option for enthusiasts seeking the ultimate performance at 4K resolutions — making it one of the most potent pairs with the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. While the GPU has been replaced by the RTX 5090, it continues to dominate the rasterization performance leaderboards due to the monstrous hardware under its hood. However, it will still cost you $1,599 and up.
With 16,384 CUDA cores and a massive 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM, this card is currently the king of gaming GPUs. The RTX 4090 dominates not only in gaming but also in rendering, AI workloads, and video editing — making it a versatile option for creators and professionals. Certain variants are designed specifically for high-end workloads and overclocking, giving users a balance between data center GPUs and consumer products.
Pros:
- Unmatched performance across all resolutions and workloads.
- 384-bit memory interface translates to a massive 1 TB/s bandwidth.
- The card is designed for all ranges of productivity workloads including superior streaming and content creation.
Cons:
- 450W TDP mandates large AIB designs and high-end PSUs.
- Extremely expensive, often costing more than an entire gaming PC.
- Large triple-slot designs may not fit in smaller cases.
Overall, choosing the best graphics card for your next build will largely be dictated by the performance bracket you're targeting and the budget. We have listed options for all types of gamers to find the ideal pick. Each GPU listed here excels in maximizing the capabilities of the 9800X3D, ensuring you get the best out of your build.