Best CPU for RTX 3060 Ti in 2024 - our top picks (2024)

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The RTX 3060 Ti is a mid-range GPU – halfway from the entry-level and the real mid-high-endGPUs. This is a graphics card that you can easily buy and use for gaming, working, studying, and introducing yourself to the world of building PCs. If you’ve got a GPU of this caliber and are considering building your rig on it, in this article, we’re presenting some of thebest CPU options for you.

The best CPU for the RTX 3060 Ti will have to be a CPU that can endure the processing power of 4864 CUDA cores, 1,410 MHz of base clock speed, 1,665 boost clock speed, and 8GB of GDDR6 memory. This is not a super strong GPU, but the GA104 processor and the Samsung 8nm node found on the GPU have given this Ampere unit enough power to run any game you need, and it’s stood the test of time, too, still standing as a reliable unit despite being on the older side.

If that’s enough information for you and you just want to dive straight into our recommended products, we’ve outlined our products at a glance below – top of that list is the Core i5-13600K because of the value it brings to a system equipped with a 3060 Ti, but you should find any of these processors to be more than capable pairings.

Products at a glance

How do we select the best CPU for RTX 3060 Ti?

When choosing the best CPU for the RTX 3060 Ti, several factors must be considered. First, you need to make sure that the CPU is compatible with your motherboard and other components. Then, consider the processor brand and architecture. Intel and AMD are the only two brands to choose from, but they each have a plethora of different motherboard generations associated with them.

One of the main considerations to keep in mind is that theprocessor speed, measured in GHz, will also impact performance, with a higher speed generally leading to better performance. Thenumber of coresa CPU has is important as well, as more cores allow for better multitasking. Additionally, thecache size, a high-speed memory used by the CPU, is another imperative factor, with a larger cache size improving performance.

Of course, more importantly than specs, we value hands-on experience and have prioritized CPUs that we’ve reviewed in-house to give you a bit more of a guarantee that you know exactly what you’re getting – and that it’s been approved by our expertise. You can read in more detail about precisely how we test our CPUs in the PC Guide Testing Lab.

If you’re looking for more RTX 3060 Ti recommendations, you can check out our opinions on the best GeForce RTX 3060 Ti unit overall, then head over to ourBest Motherboard for RTX 3060 Tiguide for more hardware recommendations. For the time being, strap in for the journey across our top processors cherry-picked for the 3060 Ti.

Best CPU for RTX 3060 Ti

You need the power to match the 3060 Ti’s speeds, and the Core i5 13600K comes up as hands down the best option. With this CPU, your rig will be ready to take on 1080p gaming easily. In reality, you’d probably be able to handle some older games in 1440p, so you’d be on your way to climbing into the big leagues.

The Intel Core i5-13600K boasts an impressive 14 cores and 20 threads, making it a top contender in the CPU market. Its MSRP of $320 is incredibly affordable, given the level of performance it offers. It’s also important to note that this CPU can now be found cheaper, given its age, and even better deals can be found in the second-hand market. What’s more, our Intel Core i5-13600K review saw us award the processor 4.5 stars, so it’s got our seal of approval as one of our favorite CPUs from Team Blue.

Compared to its Alder Lake predecessor, the Core i5-12600K, the i5-13600K doubles the number of E-cores and comes equipped with a total of 8 efficient cores (E-cores) and 6 performance cores (P-cores). The P-cores also support Hyper-threading, which contributes to the total number of threads reaching 20. All this processing power is contained on a chip with a TDP of only 181W; it’s not too demanding, but you might want to invest in solid cooling, nonetheless, as the last thing you want is overheating.

In layman’s terms, this design results in excellent performance for lightly threaded tasks such as gaming and competitive performance for multi-thread workloads. The improvement is due to the increased number of cores and better clock speeds. The single-core performance is superior to AMD alternatives and is not far behind the Core i9-13900K, with a higher base clock but a lower boost.

For gaming purposes, the performance is nearly comparable to the Intel Core i9 with only a slight drop in frames per second, but with a lower cost and power consumption that makes it perfect for an RTX 3060 Ti setup. It’s worth noting though, that the Intel Core i5-13600KF is a similar CPU without an integrated GPU and is priced at $30 cheaper. If you already have a graphics card in your setup, this is a cost-effective way to achieve the same performance.

What users say

Just like us, users on Amazon have highly praised the Intel Core i5-13600K, leading it to an average rating of 4.8 stars. As you’d expect, some favorite features include its value and performance, but also how easy it is to install, which is always an extra benefit.

One user in particular described it as having the “Best price-to-performance ratioin a CPU you would find today”, and another similarly commented that ”theprice to performance boost is outstanding”. However, there are a few mentions of the CPU running hot under load, so as mentioned previously, cooling is an important consideration.

Best Ryzen 9000 series CPU for 3060 Ti

The Ryzen 9000 series from AMD features the Zen 5 architecture which promises a significant performance uplift from its predecessors. That said, its entry-level CPU, the Ryzen 5 9600X, makes for a good pick for the RTX 3060 Ti, as it has the hardware to handle its graphical capabilities and those higher on the performance hierarchy. On top of that, when we tested it in-house for its review, it significant performance improvement over its predecessor in synthetic and real-world testing.

For starters, it features six cores, and each core is designed for hyperthreading, meaning you get 12 threads. That said, the base clock speed of each core is 3.9 GHz, which should be plenty to handle various levels of graphically intensive gaming, as games mostly rely on single-core performance rather than multi-core. On top of that, its clock speed can go up to 5.4 GHz, which should enable it to make quick work of even the most demanding titles, paired with the RTX 3060 Ti.

In addition, you also have the option to overclock it, but that will also increase its TDP and thermal output along with its performance. The 9600X has a low TDP of 65W, so you most likely won’t have to worry about seeing huge numbers in power consumption, but we do recommend using the best CPU cooler for Ryzen 5 9600X to keep it running cool and optimally.

The 9600X requires an AM5 socket, meaning you’ll have to purchase an AM5 motherboard along with DDR5 RAM. So, the shift to the AM5 platform is definitely costly, but it opens up the avenue for future upgrades as it is supported until 2027. On top of that, the performance increment over previous processors certainly makes it a worthwhile investment. If you’re interested in exploring some options to upgrade your build, check out our best AM5 motherboard and DDR5 RAM guides, which have the top picks.

To test its performance, we placed it on top of our test bench and paired it with the RTX 4070 Ti Super. It had excellent single- and multi-core performance in CPU-Z, Cinebench R23, and Geekbench. We also ran Blender and Handbrake TOS to really push its limits and weren’t disappointed.

It managed to 2,149 and 16,315 points in Cinebench R23 single- and multi-core benchmarks, respectively. To give you a reference, the 7600X scored 1,923 and 13,729 points in the same tests, so we can clearly see the Zen 5 architecture working its magic.

In gaming, we ran Cyberpunk 2077 and Day’s Gone at 1080p low resolution to make it as CPU-dependant as it can get, and the 9600X managed to deliver 325 and 246 FPS, respectively. The 7600X, on the other hand, churned out 295 and 236 FPS in the same titles. So, there is also a significant gap in gaming performance.

Overall, the Ryzen 5 9600X is a solid pick if you’re operating on a budget and want a chip that can handle intense gaming and professional workloads alike. That said, it does have its limitations due to its six cores, meaning its performance won’t be as good as, let’s say, a Ryzen 9 7900X, which we’ve reviewed when it comes to workstation-level workloads. Still, given the gen-on-gen improvement over the 7600X, it is an excellent CPU to go for if your workflows aren’t too demanding.

What users say

According to Amazon reviews, the Ryzen 5 9600X is a good processor that consumes less power, runs cool, and outperforms its predecessor. One reviewer said: “I love that it consumes less power, runs cooler, and still manages to provide better performance compared to its predecessor, the Ryzen™ 5 7600X. 🔥 However, if you already own a Ryzen 5 7600X, I don’t think it’s worth upgrading just yet.”

Best future-proofing CPU for RTX 3060 Ti

There’s always that one person who loves putting a high-end component to the budget rig. Let’s say that one person is each one of us, and the minimum chance we have to build a Ryzen 9 7900X into our rig will be taken.

With this processor, you can forget about any possibility of any bottlenecking; the CPU is so strong that, at some point, it’ll carry out the GPU! In big sandbox games, you’ll have no regret about having purchased this processor. If you do content creation tasks, you’ll no doubt be feeling the boost, too.

The Ryzen 9 7900X by AMD is a top-of-the-line CPU with a price point of $549, which falls between Intel’s premium Core i9 and Core i7 chips. But it can be found for cheaper now, especially as it’s getting a bit older and there’s a potential of new Ryzen chips on the horizon.

However, despite its upper mid-range placement in terms of price, the Ryzen 9 7900X boasts performance that surpasses the competition with its 12 cores and 24 threads, delivering powerful gaming performance that matches or exceeds that of Intel’s best CPUs. What’s more, it’s still more power efficient than the i5-13600K with a TDP of 170W – no stock cooler, though.

In addition, it performs well in desktop PC applications. With its combination of affordability, gaming performance, and powerful desktop application capabilities, the Ryzen 9 7900X is a strong contender for our list of the best CPUs and our CPU benchmark hierarchy.

When it comes to choosing the best CPU, there is much more to consider than just the price. Of course, we weighed in on all these things and more in our Ryzen 9 7900X review, so it can be worth checking that out for the full details of this processor—and why we awarded it 4.5 stars.

The Ryzen 9 7900X boasts impressive specifications with its 12 cores and Zen 4 architecture, which results in a ~13% improvement in IPC manufactured on the advanced 5nm process. This allows for remarkable peak clock speeds of 5.6 GHz, nearly reaching the 5.7 GHz of the top-of-the-line Ryzen 9 7950X. The high clock speed is even ahead of Intel’s current fastest offerings and sets the bar for future releases.

What users say

As you’d expect from AMD’s top-end CPUs, the performance and gaming capabilities of the Ryzen 9 7900X were highly commended in its reviews on Amazon.

One user in particular commented that the “core clocks scale to system demands instantlyand running multiple programs and monitor windows is effortless”, and another highly praised this processor as “anabsolute BEAST at gamingand anything else you can throw at it”. If you can, it might be worth holding out to get this CPU at a discounted price just to make sure you’re getting the most value for your money.

Best AM4 CPU for RTX 3060 Ti

You can always find a better price, and if you need the best budget CPU for the 3060 Ti, then you can choose the Ryzen 5 5600X. This CPU from the previous generation has ensured great gaming capabilities in rigs for a long time and has never disappointed, and we were able to thoroughly test it for our 5600X review. You’ll have the power to run 1080p games, but if you want to go for the 1440p resolution, you’ll find it a bit of a struggle.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the best budget option for those who want to save money. Despite having a larger bottleneck of around 12%, the price of this CPU is significantly lower, especially if you can find it on sale under $150 due to the release of the 5000 series CPUs.

Overall, the Ryzen 5 5600X is a formidable force in the mid-range market, boasting six cores and twelve threads powered by the advanced Zen 3 architecture and manufactured using 7nm process technology. This combination leads to a significant improvement of ~19% in instruction per cycle (IPC) throughput, making the 5600X a top pick for the best budget CPUs list.

The 5600X still offers impressive core speeds of up to 4.6 GHz max. However, it may limit the performance of your GPU at lower resolutions. Surprisingly, it’s actually recommended to use this CPU and GPU combination for 1440p resolution for optimal performance.

Further optimizations, such as an improved boosting algorithm, better memory overclocking, and revised cache topology, eliminate Intel’s remaining performance advantages and deliver a new level of power efficiency. In fact, the Ryzen 5 5600X is one of the most energy-efficient desktop PC chips tested to date.

What users say

In its Amazon user reviews, the Ryzen 5 5600X is praised for being a stellar CPU that “strikes anexcellent balance between price and performance”, and is described as a “powerful andaffordable CPU” for pairing with the RTX 3060 Ti. What’s more, this is one of the only CPUs included in this list that has been praised on Amazon for running cool and consuming less power, and it comes with a decent stock cooler too to further keep temps down.

Features and considerations

Here are a few things to consider before you get a new processor to match the RTX 3060 Ti –

Type of workload

The first thing you will need to consider is the type of workload you’re going to be asking of your PC. This type of build is mainly for budgeted gamers. However, you can still apply plenty of day-to-day productivity tasks to it. If that’s the case, you would need to consider which type of games you play.

Keep in mind that big sandbox games are more CPU-heavy than other AAA games. In that case, specifically, you will need a stronger unit, perhaps one of the best CPUs for gaming.

Cores and performance

So among all the things to check on a CPU, the first one would be thenumber of cores. The more cores, the better the CPU’s ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This should be paired with core speed to determine the effectiveness of the CPU.

Something else to consider is the architecture of those cores and the wholeGPU. For example, at this level, AMD has a better architecture to perform on AAA games, thanks to its great rasterization power, while Intel is more capable of enduring sandbox games due to its multi-threading abilities. However, these factors obviously change when considering the CPUs and price.

Budget

This takes us to the next point. The 3060 Ti is an entry-level GPU, so the build will be based on a budget that can always allow the fanciest stuff. Keeping that in mind, you must consider price-to-performance balance. One of the best sensations when building a budget rig is knowing that you have the best piece for the best price.

Is it worth buying AM4 in 2024?

An interesting question from this guide arises: is it worth buying AM4 in 2024? Given that AMD is pushing toward AM5, they assured us that AM4 wouldn’t die immediately. To our surprise, 2024 brought us the last known AM4 CPU to release, the 5700X3D, showing us that even in 2024, AMD isn’t done supporting AM4.

It might be lagging a little behind in terms of technology, but it’s safe to say that immense value can be found in an AM4 system today. I still use AM4 in my personal gaming rig, and it’s not once felt like I needed to upgrade. You just have to decide whether PCIe Gen 5 storage and DDR5 memory speeds are more important to you than saving money.

What is the best Intel CPU for the RTX 3060 Ti?

Our top pick for the bestIntel CPU this time around is theIntel Corei5-13600K. This CPU is a great budget option that offers a highbase clock speed– perfect for your gaming needs while not reaching massive price points.

Is the RTX 3060 Ti still good?

That’s a subjective question and depends on what games you play. The 3060 Ti does great in older titles at 1080 / 1440p, but it’ll struggle on newer AAA titles. If you’re someone who enjoys these older games, then yes, the 3060 Ti is still great. If you’re someone who’s into the latest games, then you might need to manage your expectations a little.