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With the release of the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, NVIDIA has added a very strong value champion to its graphics card stack, aimed primarily at the mainstream gaming market. The RTX 4060 Ti aims to compete in the mid-range segment and offers a very strong price-to-performance ratio. After securing one of the best RTX 4060 Ti variants, the next step is to pair it with an appropriate CPU that will not hold back the power of your graphics card.
Here’s a quick look at our selected CPUs for RTX 4060 Ti and a brief comparison of their specs:
Make sure to select the best possible variant of the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti by following this guide:
Best CPU For RTX 4060 Ti
Here is a selection of the best CPUs for RTX 4060 Ti that you can buy right now:
- Best AMD CPU for RTX 4060 Ti: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
- Best Intel CPU for RTX 4060 Ti: Intel Core i5 13600K
- Best Overall Gaming CPU for RTX 4060 Ti: Intel Core i5 13400F
- Best Budget CPU for RTX 4060 Ti: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Best High-End CPU for RTX 4060 Ti: Intel Core i7 13700K
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Best AMD CPU for RTX 4060 Ti
Socket: AMD AM5 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | L2 Cache: 6MB | Base Clock: 4.7 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.3 GHz | TDP: 105W | Unlocked: Yes
Pros
- Superb gaming performance
- DDR5 platform
- Efficient architecture
- Affordable price point
- Unlocked for overclocking
Cons
- No DDR4 support
Performance: Built on the Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 5 7600X showcases notable improvements in IPC and performance-per-watt. AMD has equipped the Ryzen 5 7600X with 6 cores and 12 threads. Moreover, the impressive 5.3 GHz boost clock contributes to superb single-threaded performance, especially in modern games.
Cooling: The Ryzen 5 7600X is quite reasonable in its thermal demands, and you can expect to get away with a reasonable air-cooler or 240mm AiO liquid cooler. AMD claims a TDP of 105W for the Ryzen 5 7600X, which gives the CPU a reasonable power budget for boosting. In my testing with the Noctua NH-U14S, it peaked at around 72C while gaming.
Future Proofing: While I don’t consider the Ryzen 5 7600X a future-proof processor, it does have a 16% lead in 1080p gaming over the 5600X, making it slightly more capable than the previous generation offering. You can expect AMD’s future processors to also support the AM5 socket, allowing you to upgrade down the line.
Buy It If:
✅You want the ideal AMD CPU for RTX 4060 Ti: The Ryzen 5 7600X complements the RTX 4060 Ti perfectly thanks to its excellent gaming performance, solid efficiency, and affordable price point.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌You want DDR4 support: Since the AMD AM5 platform only supports DDR5 memory, you will have to change your existing DDR4 memory kit.
What Makes It The Best AMD CPU For RTX 4060 Ti?
With the new Zen 4 architecture, superb single-threaded performance, low power draw, and impressive value for money, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is the best AMD CPU for RTX 4060 Ti.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 9/10 |
Intel Core i5 13600K
Best Intel CPU for RTX 4060 Ti
Socket: FCLGA1700 | Cores: 14 (6P + 8E) | Threads: 20 | L2 Cache: 20MB | Base Clock: 2.6 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.1 GHz | TDP: 125W | Unlocked: Yes
Pros
- Excellent single-threaded performance
- Relatively affordable
- Unlocked multiplier
- Support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory
Cons
- Relatively high power draw
- No included box cooler
Performance: The Core i5-13600K stands out for its exceptional single-threaded performance. Featuring Intel’s unique core layout with 14 cores and 20 threads (P-cores and E-cores), it offers a balanced solution for gaming and productivity. With a boost clock of 5.1 GHz, it pairs well with the RTX 4060 Ti.
Cooling: Intel quotes a TDP of 125W for the Core i5 13600K, which means you will need a heavy-duty dual-tower air cooler or a 360mm AiO liquid cooler for the Core i5 13600K. My Core i5 13600K sample peaked at 76C during an all-core Cinebench R23 run while being cooled by a custom loop.
Future Proofing: The Core i5-13600K is undeniably a capable processor at the moment; however, it might not be the best pick if are not planning on upgrading for a long time. That said, since the Core i5 13600K is fully unlocked, users can also squeeze a bit more performance out of this CPU by manually overclocking it.
Buy It If:
Here is a shot of the i5-13600K from our review:
✅You want the ideal Intel CPU for RTX 4060 Ti: The Core i5 13600K complements the RTX 4060 Ti perfectly if you want to go with the Blue team. The gaming performance is top-notch; it is overclockable and delivers excellent value for money.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌You don’t have a great CPU cooler: The Core i5 13600K draws a significant amount of power and runs a bit hot, even at stock settings. You will need a powerful CPU cooler to handle this CPU at its peak.
What Makes It The Best Intel CPU for RTX 4060 Ti?
Thanks to its best-in-class gaming performance, high overclocking headroom, and versatile compatibility, the Intel Core i5 13600K is the best Intel CPU for RTX 4060 Ti.
- Read Our Intel Core i5-13600K Review
- Best CPU Cooler For Intel Core i5-13600K
- Best Motherboards For i5-13600K
- Best RAM For Intel Core i5-13600K
- Best GPU For Intel Core i5-13600K
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 8/10 |
Intel Core i5 13400F
Best Overall Gaming CPU for RTX 4060 Ti
Socket: FCLGA1700 | Cores: 10 (6P + 4E) | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 9.5MB | Base Clock: 1.8 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65W | Unlocked: No
Pros
- Very affordable
- Great gaming performance
- Low power draw
- Included box cooler
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- No integrated graphics
Performance: In the budget gaming category, the Core i5-13400F stands out with its unique core layout, offering 10 cores and 16 threads. It delivers strong IPC performance and can boost up to 4.6 GHz on its 6 performance cores. I tested the i5-13400F with the RTX 4060 Ti, and it shows no significant bottleneck at 1080p, 1440p, or 4K.
Cooling: Intel claims a very modest TDP of 65W for the Core i5 13400F, which bodes well for its thermal output. My Core i5 13400F sample peaked at around 59C during a multi-core stress test with a Noctua NH-U14S. This means that the included stock cooler should be adequate for normal operation; however, you may want to upgrade for better temperatures.
Future Proofing: Considering the lack of overclocking, limited future upgradability due to the LGA 1700 socket, as well as average performance given its standing as a budget-friendly CPU, the Core i5-13400F, is certainly not a future-proof option; however, I expect it to easily hold its own for the next 2 years.
Buy It If:
✅You want a budget gaming CPU: The Core i5 13400F delivers excellent gaming performance in the majority of modern titles when paired with the RTX 4060 Ti without breaking the bank.
✅You don’t have a high-end cooler: With its low TDP and reasonable power draw, the Core i5 13400F is one of the most efficient processors around.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌You want integrated graphics: All “F” series chips have their iGPUs fused off.
What Makes It The Best Overall Gaming CPU For RTX 4060 Ti?
The Core i5 13400F delivers great performance in modern games, has a very low power draw, and is quite affordable, making it the best overall gaming CPU for RTX 4060 Ti if you just plan on gaming.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 10/10 |
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Best Budget CPU for RTX 4060 Ti
Socket: AMD AM4 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | L2 Cache: 3MB | Base Clock: 3.7 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65W | Unlocked: Yes
Pros
- Superb value proposition
- Efficient power package
- Overclockable
- Affordable motherboards
Cons
- No DDR5 support
- No integrated graphics
Performance: The Ryzen 5 5600X, based on AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, offers excellent single-threaded performance and low latency, making it an ideal choice for gaming. With 6 cores, 12 threads, high IPC, and a boost clock of 4.6 GHz, it pairs well with mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 Ti for an optimal gaming experience.
Cooling: Just like the previous AMD Ryzen 5 processors, the Ryzen 5 5600X is also a very tame CPU in terms of thermal output. In fact, you can get away with using just the stock cooler that comes in the box if you don’t plan on overclocking. Under a Noctua NH-U14S, the Ryzen 5 5600X peaked at around 57C at full load in my testing.
Future Proofing: Although the Ryzen 5 5600X offers an excellent price-to-performance ratio, it lags behind most higher-end processors of the current generation, making it less future-proof. Adding on to that, the AM4 socket does not support the latest processors, further limiting upgradability.
Buy It If:
✅You are on a tight budget: With its low initial cost, affordable motherboards, and support for DDR4 memory, the Ryzen 5 5600X is an excellent gaming CPU option on the cheap.
✅You want to overclock: The Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier and can be overclocked, even on affordable B-series motherboards.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌You want DDR5 support: The AMD AM4 platform does not support DDR5 memory.
❌You want integrated graphics: The Ryzen 5000 series CPUs do not have integrated graphics.
What Makes It The Best Budget CPU For RTX 4060 Ti?
Thanks to the Zen 3 architecture, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X delivers great gaming performance while being very affordable, making it the best-budget CPU for RTX 4060 Ti.
| Performance: 7/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 9/10 |
Intel Core i7 13700K
Best High-End CPU for RTX 4060 Ti
Socket: FCLGA1700 | Cores: 16 (8P + 8E) | Threads: 24 | L2 Cache: 24MB | Base Clock: 2.5 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.4 GHz | TDP: 125W | Unlocked: Yes
Pros
- Best-in-class gaming performance
- Impressive multi-core performance
- Substantial overclocking headroom
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
Cons
- Expensive
- High power draw
Performance: The Core i7 13700K boasts 16 cores (8 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores), totaling 24 threads for exceptional gaming and productivity. Its 5.4 GHz boost clock and impressive IPC make it one of the fastest gaming CPUs. Paired with the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, it excels at 4K, 1440p, and 1080p resolutions without bottlenecks.
Cooling: Put simply, the Core i7 13700K does tend to run quite warm, which means you might need a powerful 360mm AIO Cooler For this particular CPU. The Core i7 13700K reached a peak of 75C in an all-core workload in my testing while being cooled by a custom liquid cooling loop.
Future-proofing: Given the excellent performance of the Core i7-13700K, it is safe to assume that the processor is going to last you a reasonably long time. Additionally, an upgrade path to 14th-gen is also open thanks to the LGA 1700 socket. Its unlocked multiplier will allow for overclocking for anyone in need of extra performance.
Our hardware reviewer, Nauman Siddique, had this to say about the Core i7-13700K:
“The Core i7-13700K delivers remarkable performance, outperforming its predecessors and rivaling CPUs like the Ryzen 7 7900X, thanks to its new architecture.”
Buy It If:
Take a look at the Core i7-13700K during our testing.
✅You want the highest gaming performance: The Core i7 13700K is one of the very fastest gaming processors on the market, so it is a great choice if you want to fully maximize your RTX 4060 Ti.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌You do not have a premium CPU cooler: Thanks to its high power draw and thermal output, the Core i7 13700K needs a heavy-duty CPU cooler to be paired with it.
❌You don’t want an expensive CPU: The price tag of the Core i7 13700K is quite high, making it a premium CPU pairing for the RTX 4060 Ti.
What Makes It The Best High-End CPU For RTX 4060 Ti?
The Core i7 13700K is the best high-end CPU for RTX 4060 Ti, thanks to its unparalleled gaming performance, high overclocking headroom, and superb productivity performance.
- Read Our Intel Core i7-13700K Review
- Best Cooler For Intel Core i7-13700K
- Best Motherboard For Intel Core i7-13700K
- Best RAM For Intel Core i7-13700K
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 7/10 |
Gaming Benchmarks of the Best CPUs for RTX 4060 Ti
Here at Tech4Gamers, we do not believe in making hollow claims. Our dedicated team of hardware specialists puts each product through a comprehensive array of tests tailored specifically to provide an unbiased assessment based on factual evidence. For this particular roundup, we rigorously tested our chosen CPUs across a diverse set of gaming scenarios to accurately gauge their performance.
Important CPU Key Terms
Here are some key CPU terms you should know when shopping for a CPU.
- Cores: A CPU core is part of a CPU that is dedicated to performing various functions and executing different tasks.
- Threads: Threads are a subset of cores designed to improve multitasking.
- Cache: The cache (divided into L1, L2, and L3 cache) is a type of super-fast memory stored directly onto the CPU for quick access.
- Clock Speed: The clock speed varies between a base clock and a boost clock. It is a measure of the number of cycles that the processor can complete in one second.
- TDP: The TDP (Thermal Design Power) gives an estimate of the amount of heat that the processor is capable of putting out.
- IPC: The IPC (Instructions Per Clock) denotes the work done in each clock cycle by the processor.
- Overclocking: The process of allowing your processor to run faster than the default clock speeds is known as overclocking.
How We Picked The Best CPU For RTX 4060 Ti
Here are some of the factors I used to pick the best CPU for RTX 4060 Ti.
- Gaming Performance: Look for CPUs with high clock speeds, multiple cores, and strong single-thread performance to maximize your gaming experience with the RTX 4060 Ti. Processors with newer and more efficient architectures often have better instructions-per-clock (IPC), resulting in higher performance.
- Overclocking: Overclocking can boost the CPU’s clock speed and overall performance, allowing for smoother gameplay and improved frame rates. Look for CPUs with unlocked multipliers, high power budgets, and aggressive boosting technologies to fully exploit the overclocking potential and enhance your gaming experience with the RTX 4060 Ti.
- Thermals And Power Draw: CPUs with a high power draw can strain the system’s power supply and output large amounts of heat. Additionally, higher temperatures can impact overall system performance and can result in thermal throttling. It can be wise to opt for CPUs with efficient power management and lower TDPs to ensure optimal power efficiency.
- Value For Money: While high-end CPUs may offer top-tier performance, they can come with a significant price tag. Assess your budget and prioritize CPUs that strike a balance between performance and affordability. Look for processors that offer competitive performance in relation to their cost, ensuring that you get the best value for your investment.
- Platform Support: In the modern day, a motherboard chipset can support only 2-3 generations of CPUs before it is replaced, thus impacting the upgrade path of the platform. Moreover, it is important to consider the memory generation of your choice since DDR4 is slowly but surely being replaced by DDR5 at the time of writing.
FAQs
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X can be considered the minimum CPU for RTX 4060 Ti. It is a budget option that delivers great gaming performance with the RTX 4060 Ti for a very reasonable price.
The Intel Core i5 13400F is a CPU that won’t bottle an RTX 4060 Ti in most games, and it comes at an affordable price. If you want the best of the best, the Intel Core i7 13700K is a high-end choice for the RTX 4060 Ti.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti has a rated TDP of 165W, and Nvidia recommends a 550W power supply for this particular graphics card.
Yes, the RTX 4060 Ti can definitely do 1440p gaming, provided you are willing to alter the graphics settings a little bit. The DLSS 3.0 frame-gen technology also helps a lot in supported games.
Here are a few more CPU recommendations you might want to check out:
- Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti Super
- Best CPU For RTX 4070 Super
- Best CPU For RTX 4080
- Best CPU For RTX 4090
- Best CPU For Streaming
Recent Updates
- February 13, 2024: Few text changes to improve readability.
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[Hardware Reviewer & Editor]
Meet Nauman Siddique, a highly experienced computer science graduate with more than 15 years of knowledge in technology. Nauman is an expert in the field known for his deep understanding of computer hardware.
As a tech tester, insightful reviewer, and skilled hardware editor, Nauman carefully breaks down important parts like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, CPU coolers, and more.
- 15+ years of PC Building Experience
- 10+ years of first-hand knowledge of technology
- 7+ years of doing in-depth testing of PC Hardware
- A motivated individual with a keen interest in tech testing from multiple angles.
- I majored in Computer Science with a Masters in Marketing
- Previously worked at eXputer, EnosTech, and Appuals.
- Completed Course in Computer Systems Specialization From Illinois Tech
Get In Touch: nauman@tech4gamers.com
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