The Best CPUs for the RX 7600 XT

Six cores are enough for most games paired with a mid-range graphics card. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 7 5700X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.1GHz boost clock ranks second of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (4.4GHz).

Like the Ryzen 5 9600X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses an AM4 socket. Like the Ryzen 5 9600X, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i5-14400F uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory. You also get 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 Ryzen 7 5700X came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.

It suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. It matches the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 7 5700X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.4GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 5 7600 comes next at 5.1GHz.

On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Core i5-12400F at 6 cores. Like the Ryzen 5 7600, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses an AM4 socket. Like the Ryzen 5 7600, it has DDR5 memory, while the Core i5-14400F uses DDR4 or DDR5 memory.

It was priced above the Core i5-12400F and below the Core i5-14400F at the time of writing. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.

It pairs well with a B660 or B760 board and DDR4. Its 20MB L3 cache ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600 (32MB) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (18MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks third of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (4.4GHz).

On core count it leads this guide at 10 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X (8 cores). On rated power it ties with the Core i5-12400F at 125W. Like the Core i5-12400F, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the Ryzen 5 7600 uses an AM5 socket.

When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 9600X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 5700X cost more. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.

It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Core i5-12400F at 4.4GHz.

It matches the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Core i5-12400F on core count (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5700X; the Ryzen 5 9600X goes with an AM5 socket. It shares DDR4 memory with the Ryzen 7 5700X; the Core i5-12400F goes with DDR4 or DDR5 memory.

It also comes with DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. It undercut the Core i5-12400F and every other pick on price 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.

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 and the Ryzen 5 5600 at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.6GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Core i5-12400F comes in at 4.4GHz.

Its 8 cores core count ranks second of 6 here, behind the Core i5-14400F (10 cores) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (6 cores). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5600; the Core i5-12400F goes with an LGA1700 socket. You also get PCIe 4.0 support.

Its price falls between the Core i5-14400F and the Ryzen 5 7600, based on our last check. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.

This is the OEM pack, so budget for a cooler; it suits a low-cost gaming build with DDR4. On L3 cache it trails the group at 18MB, while the Ryzen 5 7600 offers 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600 at 4.4GHz.

It matches the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 5600 on core count (6 cores). It matches the Core i5-14400F on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14400F; the Ryzen 5 9600X goes with an AM5 socket.

It shares DDR4 or DDR5 memory with the Core i5-14400F; the Ryzen 7 5700X goes with DDR4 memory. It also comes with six performance cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and 600- and 700-series chipset support. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5600 and the pricier Ryzen 5 9600X, at the time of writing.