Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for the RTX 4070 Super
Six processors for an RTX 4070 Super at 1440p, compared on game cache, cores and platform cost.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The RTX 4070 Super sits between the RTX 4070 and 4070 Ti and targets 1440p. A six- or eight-core processor with a large cache keeps it from waiting in CPU-heavy games.
We compared six processors on cache, cores and platform cost, using manufacturer specifications.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Match for an RTX 4070 Super
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D96MB of L3 on six cores at 65W.
Best for: 1440p AM5 builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Efficient Eight-Core
AMD Ryzen 7 9700XEight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: Quiet builds that also stream.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Eight-Core Value
AMD Ryzen 7 7700XEight Zen 4 cores with a 5.4GHz boost.
Best for: Keeping the CPU budget low.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Intel Pairing
Intel Core i5-13600KFourteen cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support.
Best for: LGA1700 builds.
Check price for Intel Core i5-13600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AM4 Upgrade
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D96MB of L3 on AM4.
Best for: AM4 owners buying a new card.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best High-Refresh Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3DEight cores with 96MB of L3.
Best for: Competitive 240Hz play.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Match for an RTX 4070 Super1 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D brings 96MB of L3 cache to a six-core AM5 chip at a 65W rating.
Best for
- 1440p AM5 builds.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest way into AMD's cache-heavy gaming line on AM5. It matches the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D on L3 cache (96MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz).
On core count it trails the group at 6 cores, while the Core i5-13600K offers 14 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X at 65W. 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.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. When we checked, only the Ryzen 7 7700X cost less, and the Ryzen 7 9700X cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Core i5-13600K (14 cores)
The catch
Core count is its weakest area, and the Core i5-13600K covers it better at 14 cores.
Best Efficient Eight-Core2 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The Ryzen 7 9700X runs eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W default rating.
Best for
- Quiet builds that also stream.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs only a modest cooler and has room to grow with AMD's power boost setting. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X on L3 cache (32MB). On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.5GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X (5.4GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700X, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D at 8 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X3D at 65W. 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 7600X3D and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core i5-13600K cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 7700X at the time of writing
Best Eight-Core Value3 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The Ryzen 7 7700X offers eight Zen 4 cores at a 105W rating and a 5.4GHz boost clock.
Best for
- Keeping the CPU budget low.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
Its price has fallen well below its launch level. It matches the Ryzen 7 9700X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.4GHz boost clock ranks second of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz).
On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at 105W. 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.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D was closest.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 16
- 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
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache of 32MB, behind the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (96MB)
The catch
What it gives up: L3 cache of 32MB, behind the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (96MB); by contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D offers 96MB.
Best Intel Pairing4 of 6
Intel Core i5-13600K
The Core i5-13600K is the previous-generation fourteen-core LGA1700 chip.
Best for
- LGA1700 builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no cooler in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It fits the same boards as the 14600K. Its 24MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 7600X3D leads at 96MB. Its 5.1GHz boost clock ranks third of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz).
On core count it leads this guide at 14 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9700X (8 cores). On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 5 7600X3D offers 65W. No other pick in this guide offers an LGA1700 socket; compare the Ryzen 7 9700X, which has an AM5 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 or DDR5 memory; the Ryzen 5 7600X3D has DDR5 memory instead. You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 24MB
- Max boost
- 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads
- 14 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 20
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Unlocked multiplier
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (96MB)
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (65W)
The catch
It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 5 7600X3D offers 96MB.
Best AM4 Upgrade5 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the last X3D chip for AM4.
Best for
- AM4 owners buying a new card.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming is a problem.
Why we like it
It lets an existing AM4 board take a cache upgrade without a new platform or DDR5. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D on L3 cache (96MB). Its 4.5GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9700X leads at 5.5GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D at 8 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 105W. No other pick in this guide offers an AM4 socket; compare the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, which has an AM5 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 memory; the Ryzen 7 7700X has DDR5 memory instead. You also get a drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update. Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 4.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform
- Drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update
- Core count of 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X3D
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
It gives ground on boost clock, where the Ryzen 7 9700X offers 5.5GHz.
Best High-Refresh Pick6 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D was the first eight-core AM5 chip with 3D V-Cache.
Best for
- Competitive 240Hz play.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It carries the same 96MB of L3 as the 9800X3D at a lower boost clock and a lower price. Its 5GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9700X (5.5GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz). On rated power it sits mid-pack at 120W: the Ryzen 5 7600X3D offers 65W, and the Core i5-13600K comes in at 125W.
You also get the Zen 4 architecture. 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. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. When we checked, only the Core i5-13600K and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D cost more.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- First-generation AM5 3D V-Cache
- The Zen 4 architecture
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 7700X at the time of writing
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 set side by side six processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 9 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the Ryzen 5 7600X3D to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 5 7600X3D for 96MB of L3 on six cores at 65W; the Ryzen 7 9700X for eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating; the Ryzen 7 7700X for eight Zen 4 cores with a 5.4GHz boost.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 7 7700X ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a CPUs for RTX 4070 Super
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache
Here L3 cache runs from 24MB on the Core i5-13600K to 96MB on the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, a 300% spread. Start with the Ryzen 5 7600X3D if L3 cache decides it.
How much boost clock you need
The Ryzen 7 9700X tops boost clock at 5.5GHz and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D sits lowest at 4.5GHz. The Ryzen 7 7700X comes second at 5.4GHz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the Ryzen 7 9700X.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open How much core count you need
Across these 6 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 7600X3D) to 14 cores (the Core i5-13600K). The Core i5-13600K is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D list DDR5; the Core i5-13600K lists DDR4 or DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D lists DDR4.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Ryzen 7 7700X, the Core i5-13600K, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D go without. Settling cooler in box first narrows 6 picks to 6.
How to Choose a CPUs for RTX 4070 Super
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1440p AM5 builds | Ryzen 5 7600X3D | 96MB of L3 on six cores at 65W |
| Quiet builds that also stream | Ryzen 7 9700X | Eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating |
| Keeping the CPU budget low | Ryzen 7 7700X | Eight Zen 4 cores with a 5.4GHz boost |
| LGA1700 builds | Core i5-13600K | Fourteen cores with DDR4 or DDR5 support |
| AM4 owners buying a new card | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB of L3 on AM4 |
| Competitive 240Hz play | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | Eight cores with 96MB of L3 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D leads on L3 cache at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at 96MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 7600X3D | 96MB | 4.7GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 32MB | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 7700X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Core i5-13600K | 24MB | 5.1GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB | 4.5GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 96MB | 5GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 7 7700X, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 7700X, Ryzen 5 7600X3D |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 9700X, Core i5-13600K, Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 7 5800X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 7 9700X or the Ryzen 7 7700X?
Between the top two, it is 5.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 9700X against 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 7 7700X, a 2% difference. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D closes the ranking at 4.5GHz.
How does the Ryzen 7 9700X compare with the Core i5-13600K on core count?
The Core i5-13600K leads at 14 cores, with the Ryzen 7 9700X at 8 cores. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 7600X3D at 6 cores.
Is the Ryzen 7 5800X3D worth paying more than the Ryzen 7 7700X?
What it brings is L3 cache (96MB against 32MB). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 7 7700X still leads on boost clock (5.4GHz). The Ryzen 7 7700X sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache decides your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 7 5800X3D the Best AM4 Upgrade?
The label rests on 96MB of L3 on AM4. It gives up boost clock (4.5GHz against 5.4GHz) to the Ryzen 7 7700X, the cheapest pick. It suits AM4 owners buying a new card.
Do the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the Core i5-13600K differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 7 9700X, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D use AM5; the Core i5-13600K uses LGA1700; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses AM4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the Ryzen 7 9700X apart?
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D: 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip. The Ryzen 7 9700X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7700X: the Zen 4 architecture.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D is the best-matched CPU for an RTX 4070 Super. Pick the 9700X for efficiency, the 7700X for value, the i5-13600K on Intel, the 5800X3D for AM4 and the 7800X3D for high refresh.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for the RTX 4070
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for 1440p Gaming
- Related guideThe Best CPUs Under $300
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget CPUs
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End Intel CPUs for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a CPU for Your PC
- ExplainerCPU Name Suffixes Explained: K, KF, F, X, X3D and G
- Check compatibility: motherboardsM.2, SATA and PCIe Lane Sharing: Why a Port Can Go Dark
- Similar guideThe Best CPUs for the RTX 4070 Ti Super
- Topic hubAll processors guides
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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