Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for the RTX 4060 Ti
Six mid-range processors for an RTX 4060 Ti, compared on cores, cache and platform cost.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The RTX 4060 Ti is a high-refresh 1080p card, and the 16GB version stretches to 1440p. A current six-core processor keeps it busy.
We compared six processors on cores, cache and platform cost, using AMD and Intel specifications. We have not tested them ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Match for an RTX 4060 Ti
AMD Ryzen 5 7600Six AM5 cores with a bundled cooler.
Best for: New 1080p builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AM4 Pairing
AMD Ryzen 7 5700XEight cores at 65W with DDR4.
Best for: AM4 owners upgrading the card.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Entry Zen 5
AMD Ryzen 5 9600XSix Zen 5 cores at 65W.
Best for: AM5 builds that plan a later upgrade.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Intel Pairing
Intel Core i5-14400FTen cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
Best for: Intel builds on a budget.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AM4 Value
AMD Ryzen 5 5600XSix AM4 cores with a cooler in the box.
Best for: Budget AM4 refreshes.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Unlocked Six-Core
AMD Ryzen 5 7600XSix Zen 4 cores with a 5.3GHz boost.
Best for: Builders who own a cooler.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Match for an RTX 4060 Ti1 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
The Ryzen 5 7600 is the six-core AM5 chip with a Wraith Stealth cooler included.
Best for
- New 1080p builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The cooler saves money on a first AM5 build. It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.1GHz boost clock ranks third of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600X (4.6GHz).
Like the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 5 7600X, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 7 5700X 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 7 5700X the nearest cheaper option.
Key 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
- Costs more than the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing
Best AM4 Pairing2 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The Ryzen 7 5700X gives AM4 builds eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- AM4 owners upgrading the card.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600X at 4.6GHz.
Its 8 cores core count ranks second of 6 here, behind the Core i5-14400F (10 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5600X; the Ryzen 5 9600X goes with an AM5 socket. It also offers PCIe 4.0 support.
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 fifth of 6, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5600X and the pricier Ryzen 5 7600, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform
- PCIe 4.0 support
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
Best Entry Zen 53 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings Zen 5 to six cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- AM5 builds that plan a later upgrade.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It is AMD's current entry point for AM5 builds that plan a later CPU upgrade. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.4GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 7600X comes next at 5.3GHz.
Like the Ryzen 5 7600 and Ryzen 5 7600X, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i5-14400F uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory. You also get the Zen 5 architecture. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 7600X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 5 5600X cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14400F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
Best Intel Pairing4 of 6
Intel Core i5-14400F
The Core i5-14400F is a locked ten-core LGA1700 chip with no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Intel builds on a budget.
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. Its 20MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 7600 leads at 32MB. Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600X (4.6GHz).
Its 10 cores core count is the highest here; the Ryzen 7 5700X comes next at 8 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 5 7600 offers 65W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 9600X, which has an AM5 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 5 7600X has DDR5 memory instead. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 5 7600X the next step up.
Key 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
- Boost clock of 4.7GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 7600 (32MB)
The catch
It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 5 7600 offers 32MB.
Best AM4 Value5 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X is a six-core AM4 chip that still suits DDR4 builds.
Best for
- Budget AM4 refreshes.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It fits older B450 and B550 boards after a BIOS update. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X on boost clock (4.6GHz).
Like the Ryzen 7 5700X, it has an AM4 socket, while the Core i5-14400F uses an LGA1700 socket. You also get PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards. 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. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 9600X and below the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- 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
- PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards
- 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
The catch
It gives ground on boost clock, where the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz.
Best Unlocked Six-Core6 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The Ryzen 5 7600X is a six-core Zen 4 chip rated at 105W.
Best for
- Builders who own a cooler.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It clocks slightly higher than the 7600 but has no cooler in the box. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 5600X at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.3GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5600X comes in at 4.6GHz.
Its 105W rated power ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600 (65W) and ahead of the Core i5-14400F (125W). It shares DDR5 memory with the Ryzen 5 7600 and Ryzen 5 9600X; the Ryzen 5 5600X goes with DDR4 memory. You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. Its price falls between the Core i5-14400F and the Ryzen 5 9600X, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core i5-14400F (10 cores)
The catch
If core count is your priority, the Core i5-14400F (10 cores) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up six processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and all 9 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the Ryzen 5 7600 to the Ryzen 5 7600X, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 5 7600 for six AM5 cores with a bundled cooler; the Ryzen 7 5700X for eight cores at 65W with DDR4; the Ryzen 5 9600X for six Zen 5 cores at 65W.
- Price range
- From the Core i5-14400F to the Ryzen 5 7600, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPUs for RTX 4060 Ti
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
Here L3 cache runs from 20MB on the Core i5-14400F to 32MB on the Ryzen 5 7600, a 60% spread. The Ryzen 7 5700X comes second at 32MB, in the same price tier as the Ryzen 5 7600.
Boost clock
Across these 6 picks boost clock spans 4.6GHz (the Ryzen 5 5600X) to 5.4GHz (the Ryzen 5 9600X). For less, the Ryzen 5 7600X is the runner-up at 5.3GHz.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC Core count across these picks
Across these 6 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 7600X) to 10 cores (the Core i5-14400F). Start with the Core i5-14400F if core count decides it.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X list DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5600X list DDR4; the Core i5-14400F lists DDR4 or DDR5. Settling memory first narrows 6 picks to 3 or 2 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 7600 and the Ryzen 5 5600X have it; the Ryzen 7 5700X, the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Core i5-14400F and the Ryzen 5 7600X go without. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 4 and 2.
How to Choose a CPUs for RTX 4060 Ti
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New 1080p builds | Ryzen 5 7600 | Six AM5 cores with a bundled cooler |
| AM4 owners upgrading the card | Ryzen 7 5700X | Eight cores at 65W with DDR4 |
| AM5 builds that plan a later upgrade | Ryzen 5 9600X | Six Zen 5 cores at 65W |
| Intel builds on a budget | Core i5-14400F | Ten cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support |
| Budget AM4 refreshes | Ryzen 5 5600X | Six AM4 cores with a cooler in the box |
| Builders who own a cooler | Ryzen 5 7600X | Six Zen 4 cores with a 5.3GHz boost |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 7600 leads on L3 cache at 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X at 32MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 7600 | 32MB | 5.1GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-14400F | 20MB | 4.7GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 5 9600X or the Ryzen 5 7600X?
Between the top two, it is 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 5 9600X against 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X, a 2% difference. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 5600X at 4.6GHz.
Is the Core i5-14400F ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X on core count?
The Core i5-14400F tops core count at 10 cores; the Ryzen 7 5700X follows at 8 cores, 25% apart. The Ryzen 5 7600X closes the ranking at 6 cores.
What does the Ryzen 5 7600 add over the Core i5-14400F?
What it brings is L3 cache (32MB against 20MB), boost clock (5.1GHz against 4.7GHz) and rated power (65W against 125W). It does not win everywhere: the Core i5-14400F still leads on core count (10 cores). Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so the gains in L3 cache and boost clock cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Ryzen 7 5700X our Best AM4 Pairing pick?
It carries the badge for eight cores at 65W with DDR4. The price of that: the Core i5-14400F, the cheapest pick, still beats it on boost clock (4.7GHz against 4.6GHz) and core count (10 cores against 8 cores). It makes sense for AM4 owners upgrading the card.
Do the Ryzen 5 7600 and the Ryzen 7 5700X differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X use AM5; the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5600X use AM4; the Core i5-14400F uses LGA1700.
What extras do the Ryzen 5 7600 and the Ryzen 7 5700X include?
The Ryzen 5 7600: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 7 5700X: eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 5 7600 is the best-value partner for an RTX 4060 Ti on a new build. The 5700X and 5600X suit AM4 upgrades, the 9600X adds Zen 5, and the i5-14400F covers Intel.
Related Guides
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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