AMD and Nvidia are two of the biggest component manufacturer companies in the world. AMD manufactures both processors (CPUs) and graphics cards (GPUs), while Nvidia mostly specializes in GPUs.
Since the two companies are competitors in the GPU market, many users wonder whether or not it’s possible to use AMD CPUs with Nvidia GPUs. This is a valid and important question to ask, so let’s answer it.
Yes, you can absolutely use AMD CPUs together with an Nvidia GPU. The brands of CPU and GPU does not matter in the slightest. What matters is that the CPU can keep up with the output from the GPU and that both the CPU and GPU are compatible with your motherboard, but that has nothing to do with what manufacturer the parts come from, but rather the capabilities of your components.
While it’s perfectly fine to use GPUs and CPUs across brands, are there any benefits to using for example an AMD CPU with an AMD GPU? Read more to find out.
Can You Use an AMD CPU With an Nvidia GPU?
As I mentioned earlier, it’s fine to use an AMD CPU with an Nvidia GPU. As long as your components aren’t very old, you’re good. What you need to be concerned with is that your components fit in your motherboard and that your power supply is good for the power they will draw.
For example, you need to make sure that the processor that you want is compatible with your motherboard and that your motherboard has the slots that your GPU wants to use.
Furthermore, make sure that you avoid bottlenecking. Bottlenecking occurs when one or more components are slowing down the rest of your components, causing them to be used at a less-than-full potential.
For example, it’s fairly common that GPUs aren’t being used at an optimal level because of pesky CPUs bottlenecking them.
If you do your research on what components you need for your setup to come together, the brands don’t matter. There are, however, potential benefits in using certain GPUs and CPUs with each other that I will discuss below.
What Are the Benefits of Using AMD CPUs with AMD GPUs?
If you do decide to buy both an AMD CPU and an AMD GPU, you will have access to a couple of functions that you may find to your benefit. Of course, what components you ultimately choose for yourself depends on your needs, wants, and preferences.
When using both an AMD GPU and CPU, you will get access to something called Smart Access Memory (SAM), which is a way to enable the processor to access more VRAM from your GPU and avoid bottlenecks, basically. Using SAM can boost your performance quite a bit.
Something to note is that SAM can only be used with AMD’s more modern components, so if you want to take advantage of this, make sure to do your research beforehand.
SAM can only be accessed if you have paired an AMD CPU with an AMD GPU. However, Nvidia has a similar technology called Resizable BAR that can be used with a bunch of processors from both Intel and AMD.
It’s somewhat unclear which of the options is best at the minute because the results vary quite a bit depending on your system, games, and more. However, if you want to take a look at some of the performance tests done for Resizable BAR, this video is very good.
AMD GPUs are generally cheaper than Nvidia GPUs, too, which is something to consider, although prices in the last year or so for both AMD’s and Nvidia’s GPUs have spiked to absurd prices. But that’s a topic for another article.
Is It Better to Use AMD CPUs with AMD Graphics Cards?
Not really. Not if you’re not completely intent on using SAM on games that you know are very good for it. SAM is certainly not perfect, and for some games, SAM will even reduce performance.
As I stated before, performance-wise it doesn’t matter. The best options for users will vary depending on what they are going to do on their PC, but it doesn’t matter what brand of components you are using together.
For example, if you’re buying components to play games on your computer, there’s a fair chance that AMD products are the best. Of course, this depends on the specific series and product. If you are going to do video editing and 3D rendering, Nvidia is your go-to.
Are there any benefits to pairing an Intel CPU with an Nvidia GPU?
Pairing AMD processors and GPUs will give you access to SAM, for the most part. However, are there any particular benefits in pairing Intel CPUs with Nvidia GPUs?
There are no automatic benefits you get from pairing Intel CPUs with Nvidia GPUs. Nvidia GPUs can give you access to Resizable BAR, as I mentioned before, but you need a processor that is compatible with the setting.
Granted, there are a bunch of Intel processors that are compatible with Resizable BAR, but that goes for AMD processors as well.
Do Nvidia GPUs Work Better With An Intel Processor?
In terms of performance, Intel CPUs and Nvidia GPUs don’t work better together than any other combination of components. What matters is the specific series and products.
Furthermore, some games put more strain on the CPU than others, so how your GPU and CPU work together also depends on the games you want to play.
Higher-resolution gaming will require more powerful components, so if you plan on playing in 4K, then you’re going to need parts that are good for it. If you’re going to stream or video edit you’re going to need another combination, and so forth.
If you want more information on how to properly pair GPUs and CPUs, I would suggest watching this guide as it is very comprehensive.
Should I Go With An AMD Or Intel Processor?
AMD and Intel are the premier CPUs manufacturers in the PC industry today. They offer good choices whether you want to use them for gaming or working. As we have talked about earlier, it doesn’t matter which brand of GPU you pair these two CPU brands with, but which one should you choose?
The two manufacturers have different things going for them. In general, Intel processors are currently the best when it comes to gaming and overclocking, while AMD edges Intel in power consumption and security.
That isn’t to say that you can’t play games on an AMD processor. There are a lot of CPUs from AMD that were specifically made for gaming. Performance isn’t the only thing that you should look at when buying a processor, of course.
For example, you need to make sure that your prospective CPU has the proper power consumption and pricing for you. For a very comprehensive look into AMD and Intel processors, I would strongly recommend reading this guide.