Best CPU for RTX 4060 Ti and RTX 4060 in 2024 – our top picks for January

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Wondering what the best CPU for the RTX 4060Ti and RTX 4060 is? Then you have come to the right place. A GPU is nothing without an excellent supporting system, and that’s especially true for Nvidia’s latest cards in the Nvidia Geforce RTX family, the RTX 4060 Ti and its less-powerful sibling, the RTX 4060. Although the Ti doesn’t improve much over the previous choice, the 4060 might just be a good standalone choice for you to go for. So how do you pair them up?

We always keep this article updated with the latest products, and our list has been compiled taking into account the Intel 14th Gen launch. We ensured to extensively test the best of the Intel 14th Gen, and you can read our verdict in our Intel i9-14900K review to see why they haven’t made this list. If you’re short on time and want to know what the best CPU for RTX 4060Ti and RTX 4060 is, then we would recommend the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and Intel Core i5-13600K. Both offer brilliant performance so you can enjoy DLSS and Ray-Tracing without fear of bottlenecking your GPU.

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The best CPU for RTX 4060 Ti

Unlike our best CPU for the RTX 4080, or the best CPU for the RTX 4090, you don’t need nearly as much CPU horsepower with these lower-end Nvidia 4000 series cards. Both the 4060Ti and the 4060 will work well with a majority of modern CPUs, but we would advise to not go for anything older than a 10th Gen CPU and the Intel i3 range as this could cause bottlenecks and hinder gaming performance. Some of our picks below also feature in our best CPUs or gaming in 2024 list – which features the best of the best. We’ll kick off with our picks for the RTX 4060Ti, before finishing on the RTX 4060 best CPUs.

AMD Ryzen 7 7900X

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

Cores

12

Threads

24

Base speed

4.7GHz

Boost speed

5.6GHz

Cache

L3 64MB

Socket

AM5

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Pros

• Incredible performance
• High performance pew Watt
• Interesting IHS
• Cooler than other 7000 series CPUs on average

Cons

• A little pricey
• Hard to keep cool

This may not be the top of the processor pile, but we believe this 7900X is more than enough for both the RTX 4060Ti and the RTX 4060. It’s powered by the still impressive Zen 4 architecture, and supports DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5. This means it’s a smart choice for those looking to future proof their rig. Elsewhere, there’s 8 cores, 16 threads and an impressive boost clock speed of 5.6 GHz. Add to the mix a cache size of 1MB per core, and you’ve got a very decent CPU at a price point not to be sniffed at.

Intel Core i5-13600K

Intel Core i5-13600K

Cores

14

Threads

20

Base speed

P-cores 3.5 GHz / E-cores 2.6 GHz

Boost speed

P-cores 5.1 GHz / E-cores 3.9 GHz

Cache

20MB

TDP

125 W / 181 W boost.

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Pros

• Power efficient
• Cost effective
• Will likely come down in price now the 14th Gen is out

Cons

• Good but not fastest overclock speed
• Will limit you if you’re going to upgrade your rig

You definitely won’t be needing the monster Intel i9-13900K CPU with these 4000 series cards. The Intel i5-13600K is an impressively power-efficient CPU, boasting 14 cores and 20 threads, with a clock speed exceeding 5GHz. Notably, it operates at significantly lower temperatures compared to its larger counterpart, the 13600K.

In terms of price, the 13600K falls between the 7600X and the 7700X from AMD’s lineup. However, it out-performs the former while coming close to the latter, solidifying Intel as a formidable competitor. The 13600K is an ideal choice for average gamers seeking a CPU upgrade without breaking the bank. It offers a generous 20 threads, making it suitable for multi-core-based workloads as well. This balance between single-core and multi-core performance sets it apart from many other CPUs that typically prioritize one over the other. In essence, the 13600K can be considered a versatile, all-around performer. A great choice for the RTX 4060 Ti.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Cores

8

Threads

16

Max boost speed

4.5GHz

L3 Cache

96MB (64MB 3D V-cache)

TDP

105W

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Pros

• Inexpensive
• Incredible performance
• 3D V-cache

Cons

• No cooler
• No native overclocking support

If you’re using a older-generation AMD CPU, then the Ryzen 7 5800X3D could well be worth looking at. It’s inexpensive, and thanks to its clever 3D V-cache, offers a ton of bang for your buck. It works via vertically stacked chiplets, allowing more to be placed in a given area. This means you get a massive 96MB L3 cache with a total access speed of 2TB/s in the 5800X3D CPUs from AMD. The downside is that you’re not able to overclock the CPU as the 3D V-cache can become unstable at high speeds. Still, the 5800X3D operates at a decent base core speed of 3.4GHz and a maximum speed of 4.5GHz.

Best CPU for RTX 4060

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Cores:

8

Thread:

16

Boost speed:

5.0GHz

Cache:

96MB

TDP:

120W

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Pros

• Up to 7% faster than 13900K
• Insane gaming performance for the money
• Large cahce
• Dual CCD

Cons

• One CCD limited by V-cache

Some would say this is overkill for RTX 4060, but we think it’s a great option that gives you plenty of bandwidth if you’re looking to upgrade your GPU one day. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D boasts an impressive clock rate of 4.2GHz, but can also turbo up to 5GHz. Under the hood you’ll have eight cores and 16 threads for processing capabilities, but be warned as the TDP of the CPU can be up to 120W. Be sure to check out our best PSU for the Ryzen 7800X3D to make sure you’ve got enough juice to run it. It’s also worth noting that you’ll need a DDR5 platform with substantial cooling.

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Do I need a new CPU for the RTX 4060 Ti or RTX 4060?

If you have a CPU that was manufactured within the last three years, it is highly likely that it will be sufficient to support the RTX 4060 Ti or RTX 4060. Since the 4060s are low to mid-tier GPU, you don’t necessarily need an extremely powerful CPU to pair with it.

Final word

When selecting a CPU, consider factors such as compatibility, performance, core and thread count, clock speed, power consumption, and future-proofing capabilities. By evaluating these aspects, you can make an informed decision that suits your specific needs and ensures optimal performance. As you prepare to buy the RTX 4060 Ti, considering the right CPU in combination with this graphics card will provide you with a powerful and balanced gaming setup. Stay informed, evaluate your options, and you’ll make the best choice for an immersive gaming experience.

FAQs

What Intel CPU is good for RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti?

For the best Intel CPU for the RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti, our top choice is the Intel Core i5-13600K. They match up well in terms of their tier of performance and so work well with each other.

What AMD CPU is good for RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti?

From the AMD side, a good CPU for the RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti the Ryzen 7 7900X is a good pairing for it. Or back from the previous gen, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a good pairing as well as a gaming CPU.