Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for the RTX 4060
Six budget processors for an RTX 4060, compared on cores, bundled coolers and platform cost.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
The RTX 4060 is an efficient 8GB card for 1080p. It pairs well with the cheapest six-core processors, so the budget can stretch to a better monitor or SSD.
We compared six processors on cores, cache, bundled coolers and platform cost, using manufacturer specifications.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Match for an RTX 4060
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Six cores with a cooler included at a low price.
Best for: Budget 1080p builds.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Best AM4 Step-Up
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
Six cores with a 32MB L3 and a bundled cooler.
Best for: AM4 builds that want more cache.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab)
Best Intel Budget Pick
Intel Core i5-12400F
Six LGA1700 cores with DDR4 support.
Best for: Low-cost Intel builds.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab)
Best AM5 Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
Six AM5 cores with a Wraith Stealth cooler.
Best for: New builds with an upgrade path.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (opens in a new tab)
Best for Multitasking
Intel Core i5-14400F
Ten cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
Best for: Gaming with apps running alongside.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab)
Best LGA1851 Pick
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
Ten cores on Intel's current platform.
Best for: New Intel builds.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six cores with a cooler included at a low price. | Budget 1080p builds. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
| Six cores with a 32MB L3 and a bundled cooler. | AM4 builds that want more cache. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (opens in a new tab) |
| Six LGA1700 cores with DDR4 support. | Low-cost Intel builds. | Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab) |
| Six AM5 cores with a Wraith Stealth cooler. | New builds with an upgrade path. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (opens in a new tab) |
| Ten cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support. | Gaming with apps running alongside. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F (opens in a new tab) |
| Ten cores on Intel's current platform. | New Intel builds. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Match for an RTX 40601 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- Budget 1080p builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 5600 leads at 32MB. Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 5 7600 leads at 5.1GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600, the Core i5-12400F and the Ryzen 5 7600 at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 5600, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i5-12400F uses an LGA1700 socket. It also comes with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Core Ultra 5 225F was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- One of the cheapest six-core desktop chips
- Six cores with a cooler included at a low price
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Best AM4 Step-Up2 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- AM4 builds that want more cache.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game is a problem.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600 at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-12400F at 4.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500, the Core i5-12400F and the Ryzen 5 7600 on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5500; the Ryzen 5 7600 goes with an AM5 socket. It shares DDR4 memory with the Ryzen 5 5500; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with DDR5 memory.
It also comes with DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Core Ultra 5 225F and the pricier Core i5-12400F, at the time of writing. The main gap: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Best Intel Budget Pick3 of 6
Intel Core i5-12400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core LGA1700 chip at a low price.
Best for
- Low-cost Intel builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
This is the OEM pack, so budget for a cooler; it suits a low-cost gaming build with DDR4. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 18MB: the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 32MB, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 4.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 7600 on core count (6 cores). It matches the Core i5-14400F and the Core Ultra 5 225F on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14400F; the Ryzen 5 5600 goes with an AM4 socket.
On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5600 and the pricier Core i5-14400F, at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5500. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 5500 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- Six performance cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- 600- and 700-series chipset support
- L3 cache of 18MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Best AM5 Pick4 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 7600 is the six-core AM5 chip with a Wraith Stealth cooler included.
Best for
- New builds with an upgrade path.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
The cooler saves money on a first AM5 build. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600 on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.1GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 4.9GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Core i5-12400F at 6 cores. No other pick in this guide offers an AM5 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 5500, which has an AM4 socket. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses DDR4 memory.
It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. Only the Core i5-14400F came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks. It gives ground on core count, where the Core i5-14400F offers 10 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- Core count trails the Core i5-14400F (10 cores)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Best for Multitasking5 of 6
Intel Core i5-14400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-14400F is a locked ten-core LGA1700 chip with no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Gaming with apps running alongside.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. It matches the Core Ultra 5 225F on L3 cache (20MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks third of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600 (5.1GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. Like the Core i5-12400F, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket. You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support.
When we checked, only the Core i5-12400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 5 7600 cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5500; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5500 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Best LGA1851 Pick6 of 6
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 225F is a locked ten-core LGA1851 chip.
Best for
- New Intel builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. It matches the Core i5-14400F on L3 cache (20MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks second of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600 (5.1GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Core i5-14400F at 10 cores. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1851 socket; compare the Core i5-12400F, which has an LGA1700 socket. Like the Ryzen 5 7600, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses DDR4 memory.
It also comes with 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, PCIe 5.0 support and Intel 800-series chipset support. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5500 and below the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing. It gives ground on rated power, where the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 65W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 10
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- PCIe 5.0 support
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Core i5-12400F
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Platform cost
- We noted socket, memory type and whether a cooler is included, since they change the real price.
- Power and cooling
- We recorded each chip's rated power and what cooler class it needs.
- Upgrade path
- We considered how long each socket is likely to receive new CPUs.
- Game-relevant specs
- We compared L3 cache, boost clocks and core counts from AMD's and Intel's product pages.
What to Look for in a CPUs for RTX 4060
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match the CPU to your graphics card and monitor
At 1440p and 4K the graphics card sets most frame rates, so a mid-range CPU is often enough. At 1080p with a high-refresh monitor, the CPU matters much more.
Spend on the part that limits your games, not on the bigger number.
The socket decides your upgrade path
The socket fixes which motherboards and future CPUs you can use. AM5 has had several CPU generations; AM4 has no newer chips coming.
If you plan to upgrade later, a current platform is worth a small premium.
Budget for the cooler
Most unlocked chips ship without a cooler. A 65W part runs well on a basic single tower, while 120W to 170W parts need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks.
Add the cooler to the CPU price when comparing.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
Integrated graphics are a useful backup
Chips with integrated graphics can drive a display without a graphics card, which helps when troubleshooting or between upgrades. Intel's F and KF models and most AM4 Ryzen chips have none.
Cores matter for streaming and creation
Six and eight cores cover gaming. Streaming with CPU encoding, video editing and compiling benefit from twelve or sixteen.
If you encode on the graphics card instead, core count matters less.
How to Choose a CPUs for RTX 4060
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget 1080p builds | Ryzen 5 5500 | Six cores with a cooler included at a low price |
| AM4 builds that want more cache | Ryzen 5 5600 | Six cores with a 32MB L3 and a bundled cooler |
| Low-cost Intel builds | Core i5-12400F | Six LGA1700 cores with DDR4 support |
| New builds with an upgrade path | Ryzen 5 7600 | Six AM5 cores with a Wraith Stealth cooler |
| Gaming with apps running alongside | Core i5-14400F | Ten cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support |
| New Intel builds | Core Ultra 5 225F | Ten cores on Intel's current platform |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-12400F | 18MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | 32MB | 5.1GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 20MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 5600, Core i5-12400F, Core i5-14400F, Ryzen 5 7600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a separate cooler?
Usually yes. Only some chips, such as the Ryzen 5 7600 and 5600X, include a basic cooler; unlocked high-end models do not.
Will a new CPU work in my current motherboard?
Only if the socket matches and the board's BIOS supports it. Check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
What memory should I pair with it?
AM5 and LGA1851 use DDR5; AM4 uses DDR4. For AM5, a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit is a common pairing; check the board's memory support list.
Is AM4 still worth buying into?
For an upgrade to an existing AM4 system, yes. For a new build, AM5 or LGA1851 gives a longer upgrade path.
Should I choose Intel or AMD for gaming?
At the high end, AMD's X3D chips lead in many CPU-limited games. Intel's Core Ultra chips offer more cores for work at similar prices. Choose by workload and platform cost.
What does X3D mean on a Ryzen CPU?
It marks AMD's 3D V-Cache chips, which stack extra L3 cache on the processor. Games that are limited by the CPU tend to run faster on them.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 5 5500 is enough for an RTX 4060 on a tight budget, and the Ryzen 5 5600 adds cache for a little more. Choose the Ryzen 5 7600 for AM5, or the i5-12400F, i5-14400F or Core Ultra 5 225F on Intel.