The Best CPUs for the RTX 5060

It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. On L3 cache it trails the group at 16MB, while the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.2GHz, while the Ryzen 7 7700X offers 5.4GHz.

It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X on core count (6 cores). On rated power it leads this guide at 65W, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X (105W). You get an AM4 socket here, which sets it apart from the Core i5-14600KF and its an LGA1700 socket.

DDR4 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 7600X uses DDR5 memory. It also offers a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Core Ultra 5 225F was the next step up.

It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 20MB: the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.9GHz: the Ryzen 7 7700X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 4.2GHz.

Its 10 cores core count ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core i5-14600KF (14 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X (6 cores). It matches the Core i5-14600KF on rated power (125W). An LGA1851 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Ryzen 5 7600X uses an AM5 socket.

On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500 and the pricier Ryzen 5 7600X, 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.

It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Core i5-14600KF on boost clock (5.3GHz).

On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 105W. Like the Ryzen 7 7700X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i5-14600KF uses an LGA1700 socket.

Like the Core Ultra 5 225F and Ryzen 7 7700X, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses DDR4 memory. You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Ryzen 7 7700X at the time of writing. It gives ground on core count, where the Core i5-14600KF offers 14 cores.

It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. It matches 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.

On core count it sits mid-pack at 8 cores: the Core i5-14600KF offers 14 cores, and the Ryzen 5 7600X comes in at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 105W. Like the Ryzen 5 7600X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket.

You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 7600X and below the Core i5-14600KF at the time of writing. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5500; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5500 has it.

It costs less and needs a graphics card for display output. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 24MB: the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 32MB, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X at 5.3GHz.

Nothing else here matches its 14 cores core count; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 10 cores. You get an LGA1700 socket here, which sets it apart from the Ryzen 7 7700X and its an AM5 socket. DDR4 or DDR5 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Core Ultra 5 225F uses DDR5 memory.

It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores and an unlocked multiplier. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 7 7700X. If rated power is your priority, the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W) is the stronger choice.