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5 Best CPU For RTX 4060 [Tested With Benchmarks]

In this guide, I will walk you through our selection of the best CPU for RTX 4060 based on performance, features, efficiency, and value.

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NVIDIA has once again shaken up the budget graphics card market with the introduction of the GeForce RTX 4060. With promising performance and a host of fresh features under its belt, the RTX 4060 is one of the most competitive graphics cards on the market right now. Once you have this graphics card secured, it is time to choose the perfect CPU that will allow the RTX 4060 to fully stretch its wings.

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Here’s a quick look at our selected CPUs for RTX 4060 and a brief comparison of their specs:

CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
Intel Core i5 13400F
Intel Core i3 13100F
Intel Core i5 13600K
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Looks
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
Intel i5-13400F Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz
Intel i3-13100F Desktop Processor - 4 Cores, 12MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz
Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor 14 (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 6-Core 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Radeon Graphics
Award
Best AMD CPU for RTX 4060
Best Intel CPU for RTX 4060
Best Budget CPU for RTX 4060
Best High-End CPU for RTX 4060
Best Value CPU for RTX 4060
What We Liked
Excellent single-threaded performance, Unlocked multiplier, Has integrated graphics, Very efficient
Great gaming performance, Relatively affordable, Low power draw, Support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory
Low power draw, Very affordable, Decent box cooler
Exceptional gaming performance, High overclocking headroom, Superb multi-threaded performance
Excellent value for money, Low power draw, Integrated Vega graphics
What We Disliked
No DDR4 support, Weak box cooler
No overclocking support, No integrated graphics
Locked multiplier, No integrated graphics
Expensive, High power draw
No DDR5 support, No PCIe 4.0 support
Socket
AMD AM5
FCLGA1700
FCLGA1700
FCLGA1700
AMD AM4
Cores
6
10 (6P + 4E)
4 (4P + 0E)
14 (6P + 8E)
6
Threads
12
16
8
20
12
Base Clock
3.8 GHz
1.8 GHz
3.4 GHz
2.6 GHz
3.9 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 5.1 GHz
Up to 4.6 GHz
Up to 4.5 GHz
Up to 5.1 GHz
Up to 4.4 GHz
TDP
65W
65W
58W
125W
65W
Unlocked
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
Looks
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
Award
Best AMD CPU for RTX 4060
What We Liked
Excellent single-threaded performance, Unlocked multiplier, Has integrated graphics, Very efficient
What We Disliked
No DDR4 support, Weak box cooler
Socket
AMD AM5
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base Clock
3.8 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 5.1 GHz
TDP
65W
Unlocked
Amazon
CPU
Intel Core i5 13400F
Looks
Intel i5-13400F Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz
Award
Best Intel CPU for RTX 4060
What We Liked
Great gaming performance, Relatively affordable, Low power draw, Support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory
What We Disliked
No overclocking support, No integrated graphics
Socket
FCLGA1700
Cores
10 (6P + 4E)
Threads
16
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 4.6 GHz
TDP
65W
Unlocked
Amazon
CPU
Intel Core i3 13100F
Looks
Intel i3-13100F Desktop Processor - 4 Cores, 12MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz
Award
Best Budget CPU for RTX 4060
What We Liked
Low power draw, Very affordable, Decent box cooler
What We Disliked
Locked multiplier, No integrated graphics
Socket
FCLGA1700
Cores
4 (4P + 0E)
Threads
8
Base Clock
3.4 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 4.5 GHz
TDP
58W
Unlocked
Amazon
CPU
Intel Core i5 13600K
Looks
Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor 14 (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked
Award
Best High-End CPU for RTX 4060
What We Liked
Exceptional gaming performance, High overclocking headroom, Superb multi-threaded performance
What We Disliked
Expensive, High power draw
Socket
FCLGA1700
Cores
14 (6P + 8E)
Threads
20
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 5.1 GHz
TDP
125W
Unlocked
Amazon
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Looks
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 6-Core 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Radeon Graphics
Award
Best Value CPU for RTX 4060
What We Liked
Excellent value for money, Low power draw, Integrated Vega graphics
What We Disliked
No DDR5 support, No PCIe 4.0 support
Socket
AMD AM4
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base Clock
3.9 GHz
Boost Clock
Up to 4.4 GHz
TDP
65W
Unlocked
Amazon

Last Updated:


  • 15th September, 2024: I have made some formatting changes to improve the overall readability.

If you have a higher budget, you can check out the best CPU for RTX 4060 Ti as well.

Best CPU For RTX 4060

Here is a selection of the best CPUs for RTX 4060 that you can buy right now:

  1. Best AMD: Ryzen 5 7600
  2. Best Intel: Core i5 13400F
  3. Best Budget: Core i3 13100F
  4. Best High-End: Core i5 13600K
  5. Best Value: Ryzen 5 5600G

AMD Ryzen 5 7600

Best AMD CPU for RTX 4060

AMD Ryzen 5 7600 - Best AMD CPU For RTX 4060
AMD Ryzen 5 7600

Socket: AMD AM5 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | L2 Cache: 6MB | Base Clock: 3.8 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.1 GHz | TDP: 65W | Unlocked: Yes

Pros

  • Excellent single-threaded performance
  • Unlocked multiplier
  • Has integrated graphics
  • Very efficient

Cons

  • No DDR4 support
  • Weak box cooler

AMD has equipped the Ryzen 5 7600 with 6 cores and 12 threads, which is the standard for Ryzen 5 CPUs for a few generations now. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the 6 cores can clock as high as 5.1 GHz in lightly-threaded applications like gaming. With the tremendous IPC (instructions per clock) improvements brought forth by the Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 5 7600 has excellent gaming performance and makes a perfect pairing for the RTX 4060.

In my testing with the Noctua NH-U14S, the Ryzen 5 7600 peaked at around 70C at stock settings while under an all-core load. While it is not strictly necessary, I do recommend a decent tower cooler or a 240mm AiO liquid cooler for the Ryzen 5 7600 if you have room for upgrades. The overclocking headroom was also quite healthy on my particular sample, as I managed to hit an all-core overclock of 5.3GHz at a voltage of 1.35V. Be advised, however, that your mileage will certainly vary depending on the silicon quality and cooling solution that you provide.

Buy It If
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
AMD Ryzen 5 7600

✅You want the ideal AMD CPU for RTX 4060: When you consider the whole package, the Ryzen 5 7600 is the best overall AMD CPU that you can pair with the RTX 4060.

Don't Buy It If

❌You want to use DDR4 memory: The AMD AM5 platform only supports DDR5 memory exclusively.

What Makes It The Best AMD CPU For RTX 4060?

With its superb gaming performance, efficient architecture, and excellent value, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is the best AMD CPU for RTX 4060.

These work great with the Ryzen 5 7600 as well:

Performance: 9/10 Value: 8/10
Features: 8/10 Efficiency: 9/10

Intel Core i5 13400F

Best Intel CPU for RTX 4060

Intel Core i5 13400F - Best Intel CPU For RTX 4060
Intel Core i5 13400F

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

  • Great gaming performance
  • Relatively affordable
  • Low power draw
  • Support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory

Cons

  • No overclocking support
  • No integrated graphics

Despite being positioned as a budget gaming processor in Intel’s product range, the Core i5 13400F should not be underestimated. In my testing, I found that the i5 13400F does not introduce any significant bottlenecks when paired with the RTX 4060 at 1080p, 1440p, or even 4K resolutions. With a notable boost clock of up to 4.6 GHz on its 6 P-Cores, the i5 13400F excels in lightly-threaded tasks such as gaming. The Core i5 13400F comes with a TDP of just 65W, indicating promising thermal performance as well as low power draw.

During my testing, the Core i5 13400F, coupled with a Noctua NH-U14S cooler, demonstrated pleasantly low temperatures of 51°C during gaming sessions. The i5 13400F, regrettably, lacks an unlocked multiplier, restricting manual overclocking options for this processor. In comparison to AMD’s options in this price range, which offer full overclocking support, this can be considered a minor drawback. However, considering its exceptional value for money, the Core i5 13400F still provides excellent gaming performance that is more than sufficient for the RTX 4060 in the majority of gaming scenarios.

Buy It If
Core i5-13400F
Core i5-13400F

✅You want the ideal Intel CPU for RTX 4060: On the Blue team, it doesn’t get much better than the Core i5 13400F as a perfect pairing for the RTX 4060, especially in terms of price-to-performance.

Don't Buy It If

❌You want to overclock: With a locked multiplier, you cannot manually overclock the i5 13400F.

What Makes It The Best Intel CPU for RTX 4060?

Owing to its excellent single-threaded performance, affordable price, and extremely efficient architecture, the Intel Core i5 13400F is the best Intel CPU for RTX 4060.

Performance: 9/10 Value: 8/10
Features: 8/10 Efficiency: 9/10

Intel Core i3 13100F

Best Budget CPU for RTX 4060

Intel Core i3 13100F - Best Budget CPU For RTX 4060
Intel Core i3 13100F

Socket: FCLGA1700 | Cores: 4 (4P + 0E) | Threads: 8 | L2 Cache: 5MB | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.5 GHz | TDP: 58W | Unlocked: No

Pros

  • Low power draw
  • Very affordable
  • DDR4 and DDR5 support
  • Decent box cooler

Cons

  • Locked multiplier
  • No integrated graphics

Intel has equipped the Core i3 13100F with 4 cores and 8 threads, which is a remarkable configuration for a budget CPU such as the Core i3. Moreover, there are no efficiency cores in this particular CPU, as all 4 cores are configured to be P-Cores. Intel has clocked the cores up to 4.5 GHz thanks to the variable Turbo Boost technology, yielding very impressive single-threaded performance. Conforming with the trend of efficient budget CPUs, the Core i3 13100F is actually a very well-behaved CPU in terms of cooling. Intel advertises a base TDP of 58W for this part, while the Turbo peak power package is claimed to be 89W. Intel also provides a very decent stock cooler with the Core i3 13100F, which is more than acceptable for normal use.

The Core i3 13100F comes with a locked multiplier, which means you cannot manually overclock this processor. This might be a bit of a drawback for those enthusiasts who want to squeeze a bit more performance out of this CPU. You can actually still overclock the CPU using BCLK overclocking, but that is an unstable process that can lead to widespread system instability with little-to-no performance gains.

Buy It If
Intel Core i3-13100F
Intel Core i3-13100F

✅You are on a limited budget: As an entry-level gaming CPU, the Core i3 13100F delivers superb value for money when paired with the RTX 4060.

Don't Buy It If

❌You want integrated graphics: The “F-series” chips in Intel’s lineup have their iGPUs fused off, so they need to be used with a dedicated graphics card.

What Makes It The Best Budget CPU For RTX 4060?

The Intel Core i5 13100F delivers satisfactory gaming performance with the RTX 4060 while being extremely efficient and affordable, making it the best budget CPU for RTX 4060.

Performance: 8/10 Value: 10/10
Features: 8/10 Efficiency: 10/10

Intel Core i5 13600K

Best High-End CPU for RTX 4060

Intel Core i5 13600K - Best High-End CPU For RTX 4060
Intel Core i5 13600K

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

  • Exceptional gaming performance
  • High overclocking headroom
  • Superb multi-threaded performance
  • Support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory

Cons

  • Expensive
  • High power draw

The Core i5 13600K excels particularly in single-threaded performance, making it a standout feature of this processor. Intel’s distinctive core layout incorporating P-cores and E-cores contributes to the Core i5 13600K’s impressive configuration of 14 cores and 20 threads, striking an excellent balance between gaming and productivity. With an impressive boost clock of 5.1 GHz, the i5 13600K is often seen at the top of gaming performance charts in many modern titles. It proves to be a reliable companion for the RTX 4060, delivering remarkable gaming performance without any discernible bottlenecks.

Despite Intel’s specified TDP of 125W for the Core i5 13600K, cooling this processor can pose a considerable challenge. Based on my testing, with a custom loop cooling solution, my CPU reached a peak temperature of 76°C during an all-core Cinebench R23 run. With the Core i5 13600K having an unlocked multiplier, users have the opportunity to extract additional performance from this CPU through manual overclocking. After experimenting, I managed a P-Core frequency of 5.6GHz and an E-Core frequency of 4.4GHz, utilizing a VCore voltage of 1.330V.

Here’s how Nauman Siddique, our CPU expert, describe the i5-13600K in his review:

The Intel Core i5-13600K stands out as the best value gaming CPU in the market. It delivers impressive gaming performance while also excelling in overall tasks, making it a compelling choice. While the Core i9-13900K is an option, this CPU efficiently handles daily tasks and fulfills gaming and general needs admirably.

Buy It If
Core i5-13600K
Core i5-13600K (Image By Tech4Gamers)

✅You want superior gaming performance: When paired with the RTX 4060, the Core i5 13600K allows the GeForce graphics card to maximize its potential and deliver exceptional gaming performance.

Don't Buy It If

❌You have a very limited budget: Although the Core i5 13600K delivers great value for money, it may stretch your budget a little bit.

❌You do not have a premium CPU cooler: The Core i5 13600K has a high power draw and thermal output, necessitating a solid aftermarket CPU cooler.

What Makes It The Best High-End CPU For RTX 4060?

The exceptional gaming performance, high overclocking headroom, and vast compatibility of the Intel Core i5 13600K make it the best high-end CPU for RTX 4060.

More for Core i5 13600K:

Performance: 10/10 Value: 7/10
Features: 8/10 Efficiency: 7/10

AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

Best Value CPU for RTX 4060

AMD Ryzen 5 5600G - Best Value CPU For RTX 4060
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

Socket: AMD AM4 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | L2 Cache: 3MB | Base Clock: 3.9 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.4 GHz | TDP: 65W | Unlocked: Yes

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Low power draw
  • Integrated Vega graphics
  • Overclockable

Cons

  • No DDR5 support
  • No PCIe 4.0 support

AMD’s Ryzen 5 CPUs have a very similar core layout, and the Ryzen 5 5600G is no different. AMD has used a single CCX design in the manufacturing of the Ryzen 5 5600G, which improves single-threaded performance and reduces latency significantly. The hyperthreaded 6 Cores have a maximum boost clock of 4.4 GHz, making it a great choice for lightly-threaded applications such as gaming. The Ryzen 5 5600G is not a particularly power-hungry CPU, and the nominal 65W TDP number agrees with that statement. AMD provides a satisfactory stock Wraith cooler with the Ryzen 5 5600G, which can be used if you don’t plan on overclocking.

As a very welcome bonus, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G also comes with an unlocked multiplier. You can try your hand at manual overclocking to squeeze a bit more performance out of this CPU, provided you have an adequate cooling solution. Your mileage may vary, but my particular sample reached a stable all-core overclock of 4.5GHz with a 1.35V on the VCore. This yielded a very pleasant bump in gaming performance while having an acceptable impact on temperatures.

Buy It If
Ryzen 5 5600G
Ryzen 5 5600G

✅You want the maximum bang for the buck: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, with its affordable price point and low platform cost, delivers superb value for money.

Don't Buy It If

❌You want PCIe 4.0 support: The Ryzen 5 5600G only supports PCIe 3.0, so if you have any PCIe 4.0 devices, they will not run at their maximum bandwidth.

What Makes It The Best Value CPU For RTX 4060?

With its low price of entry, affordable motherboards, and wide compatibility, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is the best value CPU for RTX 4060.

The following components work well with the Ryzen 5 5600G:

Performance: 8/10 Value: 10/10
Features: 7/10 Efficiency: 9/10

More CPU roundups:

Gaming Benchmarks of The Best CPUs For RTX 4060

Our team of hardware specialists designed an array of tests to judge the gaming performance of the various CPUs in our test suite, yielding the following results.

Important CPU Key Terms

When looking for a gaming CPU, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these essential terms:

  1. Cores: CPUs are divided into parts known as cores, which are responsible for executing various functions.
  2. Threads: Threads are data strings utilized by cores to enhance multitasking capabilities.
  3. Cache: CPUs contain a small amount of high-speed memory known as cache, directly stored on the CPU.
  4. Clock Speed: The clock speed of a processor refers to the number of data cycles it completes per second, ranging from the base clock to the boost clock.
  5. TDP: TDP stands for Thermal Design Power, which estimates the amount of heat emitted by a processor in watts.
  6. IPC: Instructions per clock, also known as IPC, is a measure of the amount of work done by the processor in each data cycle or clock.
  7. Overclocking: Overclocking involves running a CPU at a higher frequency than its default clocks.

How We Picked The Best CPU For RTX 4060

Even for experienced PC builders, the task of choosing the best CPU for a graphics card can be daunting. In the budget segment, it is even more important to gauge the value proposition while juggling the performance and compatibility factors.

I used the following factors to choose the best CPU for RTX 4060.

  • Gaming Performance: When choosing a CPU for the RTX 4060, it’s important to gauge the gaming performance of the processor with your graphics card. Opt for a processor with a high number of cores and threads to handle the demands of modern games. Look for CPUs with high clock speeds and the ability to boost to even higher frequencies to ensure smooth and responsive gaming experiences.
  • Value For Money: While considering a CPU for the RTX 4060, it’s crucial to evaluate the value proposition of both components. Look for a CPU that offers a good balance between price and performance, ensuring that neither the CPU nor the graphics card overshadows the other in terms of cost. 
  • Overclocking Support: Overclocking is a bonus factor that can improve the performance of your CPU; therefore, it should definitely be considered when building a gaming PC. Look for CPUs that have an unlocked multiplier along with a sizeable power budget, as these factors contribute to successful and stable overclocking.
  • Efficiency: When selecting a CPU for the RTX 4060, prioritizing energy efficiency and low power draw is essential. The Thermal Design Power (TDP) gives a rough estimation of the power demands of a particular CPU. An energy-efficient CPU is easy to manage and does not require a premium power supply or a fancy motherboard to power it. 
  • Cooler Requirements: It is also crucial to judge the cooling requirements of a particular CPU before buying it. You have to be sure of the thermal demands of a particular CPU before finalizing your decision, especially if you plan to overclock it. Opting for more efficient CPUs is more reasonable if you plan to use to stock cooler or a basic air cooler.

FAQs

What CPU should I get for RTX 4060?

You should get the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 to pair with the RTX 4060 if you want to go with an AMD CPU. On the Intel side, the Core i5 13400F is an equally impressive option that can maximize the performance of the GeForce RTX 4060.

What is the minimum CPU for RTX 4060?

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G can be considered the minimum CPU for 4060. It delivers satisfactory gaming performance with the RTX 4060 in modern titles while being extremely efficient and delivering excellent value for money.

What is the estimated performance of RTX 4060?

In my testing, the GeForce RTX 4060 has a 19% lead in gaming over its predecessor, the RTX 3060 12 GB. The RTX 4060 is roughly level with the competing AMD Radeon RX 7600 and falls a bit behind the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti in gaming performance.

How much power does the RTX 4060 use?

The GeForce RTX 4060 has a Total Graphics Power (TGP) rating of 115W, while Nvidia recommends a 550W power supply for this graphics card.

 
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