The Best CPUs for the RTX 4060

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.

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. 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. 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.

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.

It shares DDR4 or DDR5 memory with the Core i5-14400F; the Core Ultra 5 225F goes with DDR5 memory. 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 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. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. 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 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.

It fits LGA1700 boards (600 and 700 series) with either DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board; 600-series boards may need a BIOS update for 14th-gen chips. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. When we checked, only the Core i5-12400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 5 7600 cost more.

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 needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5500 and below the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing.