The RTX 4070 Ti is a phenomenal graphics card when it comes to offering good value for money and handling 4K gaming at good framerates. When we compared it with the RX 7900 XTX, which is AMD’s top-tier flagship GPU, the RTX 4070 Ti stayed behind only by around 11.5%, which is a great number considering the price difference. Not only that, but the GPU also consumed a whopping 45% less power. So, the point is, for such a performance-driven graphics card, you need to go for the best CPU.
I reviewed a bunch of different processors and compiled a list of the Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti. These are my recommendations:
![AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21KtytBd+kL.jpg)
![Intel Core i7-13700K Gaming Desktop Processor 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41BmX5xpFrL.jpg)
![Intel Core i7-13700K Gaming Desktop Processor 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41BmX5xpFrL.jpg)
![Intel Core i7-13700K Gaming Desktop Processor 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](jpg/41bmx5xpfrl.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41cPe7cMMPL.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41cPe7cMMPL.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](jpg/41cpe7cmmpl.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13400 Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414E1krQ04L.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13400 Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414E1krQ04L.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13400 Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz](jpg/414e1krq04l.jpg)
![Intel Core i9-13900K Gaming Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mf+FfowUL.jpg)
![Intel Core i9-13900K Gaming Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mf+FfowUL.jpg)
![Intel Core i9-13900K Gaming Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](jpg/41mf%2bffowul.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D 8-core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor with AMD 3D V-Cache™ Technology](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vZRnO8hvL.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D 8-core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor with AMD 3D V-Cache™ Technology](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vZRnO8hvL.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D 8-core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor with AMD 3D V-Cache™ Technology](jpg/41vzrno8hvl.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21KtytBd+kL.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21KtytBd+kL.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor](jpg/21ktytbd%2bkl.jpg)
![Intel Core i7-13700K Gaming Desktop Processor 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41BmX5xpFrL.jpg)
![Intel Core i7-13700K Gaming Desktop Processor 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41BmX5xpFrL.jpg)
![Intel Core i7-13700K Gaming Desktop Processor 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](jpg/41bmx5xpfrl.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41cPe7cMMPL.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41cPe7cMMPL.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13600K Desktop Processor 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](jpg/41cpe7cmmpl.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13400 Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414E1krQ04L.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13400 Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414E1krQ04L.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13400 Desktop Processor 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) 20MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz](jpg/414e1krq04l.jpg)
![Intel Core i9-13900K Gaming Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mf+FfowUL.jpg)
![Intel Core i9-13900K Gaming Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mf+FfowUL.jpg)
![Intel Core i9-13900K Gaming Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked](jpg/41mf%2bffowul.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D 8-core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor with AMD 3D V-Cache™ Technology](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vZRnO8hvL.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D 8-core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor with AMD 3D V-Cache™ Technology](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vZRnO8hvL.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D 8-core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor with AMD 3D V-Cache™ Technology](jpg/41vzrno8hvl.jpg)
Last update on 2023-12-13
The RTX 4070 Ti is an exceptional graphics card. It comes with 7680 CUDA Cores and offers a boost clock speed of 2610 MHz. Because of its competitive performance-per-dollar figures, we used the GPU in our Best Gaming PC Under $2000 and Best Gaming PC Under $1500 builds as well. Therefore, my recommendations for the Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti mostly contain equally high-performance and bang-for-the-buck processors.
Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti
Following are the 6 Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti you can get:
- Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Intel Core i7-13700K
- Intel Core i5-13600k
- Core i5-13400
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Best AMD CPU For RTX 4070 Ti
![AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D-Best-AMD-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AMD-Ryzen-7-7800X3D-Best-AMD-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D-Best-AMD-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti](jpg/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d-best-amd-cpu-for-rtx-4070-ti.jpg)
Socket: AMD AM5 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 8MB | Base Clock: 4.2 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.0 GHz | TDP: 120W
Pros
- Lots of L3 Cache
- Best Gaming CPU
- Exceptional Performance
Cons
- Locked Multiplier
- High Thermals
If you’re building a gaming PC in 2023, then the best gaming processor you can go for is the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. It walks in the path of its predecessor, the Ryzen 5 5800X3D, and puts every other flagship CPU to the dust with its remarkable gaming performance.
If you plan to game on your PC, then going with the RTX 4070 Ti is a good choice. It doesn’t cost nearly as much as the other high-end graphics cards out there, and yet it offers excellent performance. Well, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D matches the theme perfectly as well. It also doesn’t cost as much as other high-end processors, but it surpasses them in gaming performance.
The processor is equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads; since every core gets two threads, it supports multi-threading. But, the sheer core count is not what makes the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti; it is actually the L3 Cache. Being an X3D variant, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has an additional layer of L3 cache stacked on top of its CPU die, increasing the processor’s L3 capacity to 96MB from 32MB. This additional L3 storage gives the 7800X3D an edge over its high-end competitors in terms of gaming performance.
Compared to the Ryzen 7 7700X, the 7800X3D has the same number of cores but a higher L3 capacity. As a tradeoff, AMD has lowered the X3D variant’s base and boost clock speeds to 4.2 GHz and 5.0 GHz, respectively. The lower clock speeds do not hurt gaming performance at all because the processor utilizes its higher cache storage to compensate for it. As a result, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D also benefits from a lower TDP of just 120W.
When we compared the Ryzen 7 7800X3D with the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 7800X3D stayed neck-to-neck with its high-end variant and stayed behind by a mere 1.9% on average. Furthermore, the 7800X3D consumed 21.4% less power and stayed 7% cooler.
The only downside to going with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is that the processor comes with a locked multiplier, barring you from overclocking it using the traditional method. This makes sense because overclocking requires extra power, and the stacked L3 cache cannot handle that much voltage. Nevertheless, if you still want to overclock it to some extent, you can use the Curve Optimizer (CO) and the Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO).
What We Liked
![AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AMD-Ryzen-7-7800X3D-1-768x432.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D](jpg/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d-1-768x432.jpg)
When I tested the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, I was quite impressed to see how well the processor goes head-to-head against flagship CPUs in gaming performance.
What We Disliked
There isn’t much to dislike about the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Its locked multiplier and generally high thermals are off-putting, but the gaming performance makes up for it.
Who Is It For?
If you are looking to get the best gaming CPU for your RTX 4070 Ti, then the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is for you.
What Makes It The Best AMD CPU For RTX 4070 Ti?
There is no other AMD processor that offers the 7800X3D’s equivalent performance at such a good price tag, and that’s what makes the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the Best AMD CPU For RTX 4070 Ti.
Best Components To Choose With The Ryzen 7 7800X3D:
Intel Core i7-13700K
Best Intel CPU For RTX 4070 Ti
![Intel-Core-i7-13700K-Best-Intel-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Intel-Core-i7-13700K-Best-Intel-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti.jpg)
![Intel-Core-i7-13700K-Best-Intel-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti](jpg/intel-core-i7-13700k-best-intel-cpu-for-rtx-4070-ti.jpg)
Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 16 (8P + 8E) | Threads: 24 | L2 Cache: 24MB | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz (P-cores) | Boost Clock: Up to 5.4 GHz (P-cores) | TDP: 125W
Pros
- Overclocking Potential
- Overall Good Performance
Cons
- High Power Consumption
- High Temperatures
If you don’t want to swing AMD’s way and you plan to go towards Intel’s platform, then choosing the Core i7-13700K for your RTX 4070 Ti is the best option. If you’re a hardcore gamer who plans to spend lots of hours playing AAA titles, then the RTX 4070 Ti and i7-13700K combo will not let you down. You can even expect 4K gaming from your build. Not only that, but if your work requires intensive productivity performance, the i7-13700K will not let you down.
Starting off, the processor features a balanced set of 16 cores with 8 performance and 8 efficient cores. The performance cores support hyper-threading. Hence the i7-13700K comes with 24 threads in total. These numbers give the Intel processor an edge in multitasking because the performance cores can handle two concurrent tasks quite well. As for the clock speeds, the P-cores have 3.40 GHz and 5.30 GHz of base and boost frequency, and the E-cores have 2.50 GHz and 4.20 GHz of base and boost frequency, respectively.
Since the i7-13700K supports the Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology, some of its P-cores can even clock at a whopping 5.40 GHz, giving the processor a boost in performance. I tested the i7-13700K through a series of both gaming and productivity benchmarks and the processor nailed every CPU-intensive task I threw at it without any hiccups. When paired with the RTX 4070 Ti, the performance you get from the i7-13700K is truly the best. There are no bottlenecks of any kind, and you will have a solid, future-proof gaming rig for years to come.
We also paired the i7-13700K against the i9-12900KS, which is Intel’s previous-gen’s highest-end processor. Well, the i7-13700K stayed ahead with an average of 5.2% better FPS.
There are only two downsides to going with the i7-13700K, and these two factors are common among the entire Raptor Lake line-up, along with AMD’s Zen 4 architecture. The processor suffers from high power consumption and high temperatures. To test the processor’s power consumption, I ran a 30-min Cinebench R23 test, and it was drawing ~210W. Given that the i7-13700K is rated to draw 253W at max power, the 210W does not seem bad, but it is still a high number, nevertheless.
Since you’re pairing it with the RTX 4070 Ti, you have to go for a reliable PSU to support your rig. Read our guide on the Best PSU For RTX 4080, as its products can easily handle an RTX 4070 Ti and i7-13700K combo.
As for the temperatures, you will have to go for the best CPU cooler to keep the i7-13700K hovering at optimal temperatures. In my testing, the processor reached 76°C at max load. But, my test bench was using a massive 1260mm radiator with 9x fans, and despite such an over-the-top cooling solution, it still reached 76°C. Therefore, you can expect some high thermals from this beast.
The overclocking potential of i7-13700K is really good; in my testing, the processor reached around 5.7 GHz (All P-Cores) and 4.6 GHz (All E-Cores). If you are using a 360mm radiator or a liquid cooler, you can easily get it to around 5.5 GHz (All P-Cores) and 4.4 GHz (All E-Cores). Another good thing about the i7-13700K is you can cut the costs of your total build by opting for a previous-gen 600-series motherboard (Check Best Z690 Motherboards). Since the CPU works with both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, you can also get the best DDR4 RAM for gaming.
What We Liked
![Core i7-13700K (Image By Tech4Gamers)](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/i7-13700K-768x672.jpg)
![Core i7-13700K (Image By Tech4Gamers)](jpg/i7-13700k-768x672.jpg)
In all of my tests, the i7-13700K nailed both gaming and productivity benchmarks with excellent results.
What We Disliked
The processor consumes a lot of power and, consequently, generates a ton of heat. Therefore, be prepared to choose a good quality cooler and PSU.
Who Is It For?
If you want great gaming performance from an Intel processor, then the i7-13700K is for you. You can also save up money with this CPU by going with an old-gen motherboard.
What Makes It The Best Intel CPU For RTX 4070 Ti?
The gaming performance, backward compatibility with 600-series motherboard and DDR4 RAM, and the overclocking potential are what make the i7-13700K the Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti.
Best Components To Choose With The i7-13700k:
- Best Cooler for Intel Core i7-13700K
- Best Motherboard for Intel Core i7-13700K
- Best RAM for Intel Core i7-13700K
Intel Core i5-13600K
Best Overall Gaming CPU For RTX 4070 Ti
![Intel Core i5-13600k - Best Overall Gaming CPU For RTX 4070 Ti](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Intel-Core-i5-13600k-Best-Overall-Gaming-CPU-For-RTX-4070-Ti.jpg)
![Intel Core i5-13600k - Best Overall Gaming CPU For RTX 4070 Ti](jpg/intel-core-i5-13600k-best-overall-gaming-cpu-for-rtx-4070-ti.jpg)
Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 14 (6P + 8E) | Threads: 20 | L2 Cache: 20MB | Base Clock: 3.5 GHz (P-cores) | Boost Clock: Up to 5.1 GHz (P-cores) | TDP: 125W
Pros
- Nails Gaming Benchmarks
- Affordable
- Good Overclocking Potential
Cons
- Nothing Significant
If you want a jack-of-all-trades processor that has everything you would expect from the best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti, then the i5-13600K is the way to go. It doesn’t cost nearly as much as the other high-end offerings, it packs excellent performance, and it is backward compatible with the previous-gen motherboard and RAM.
Going over the specifications, the i5-13600K features 14 cores, where you get 6 Performance cores and 8 Efficient cores. Just like the i7-13700K, the i5-13600K also supports Hyper-Threading, so you have a total of 20 threads (12 for P-Cores, 8 for E-Cores). As for the clock speeds, they are quite high as well, with the base clock @ 3.5 GHz and the boost clock @ 5.1 GHz for its P-Cores.
Paired with the RTX 4070 Ti, you can expect phenomenal 1440p gaming performance from your PC, with some games even running at 4K. When I tested the i5-13600K, I was really impressed by just how much performance Intel has packed into the i5-13600K without pricing it higher. Whether it was productivity tests or gaming benchmarks, the i5-13600K sailed them all without breaking a sweat.
Our team also tested the i5-13600K against the previous-gen flagship, the i9-12900K. Throughout the gaming benchmarks, the i5-13600K stayed beside the i9-12900K while consuming 6% less power and costing less than half the price.
Keeping in mind the high power consumption of other Raptor Lake CPUs, the i5-13600K can be considered power efficient. If not that, then it at least has average power consumption. The processor claims to have max turbo power of 180W, and when I ran a 30-min Cinebench R23 run, its power consumption was hovering around exactly 180W. Sure, for an i5, the power draw is a bit high, but then the performance is also far better than any other i5. As a result of relatively good power consumption, it is not that difficult to cool down the i5-13600K. If you are a fan of AIOs, then you can easily use a 240mm or 280mm to keep the i5-13600K from thermal throttling.
To test the i5-13600K’s overclocking potential, I tweaked around with its configurations to see how much performance I could squeeze from the CPU. At last, its P-cores were clocking at 5.6 GHz, and its E-cores were at 4.4 GHz. After stable overclocking, I again ran a 30-min Cinebench R23 run and found a 9.69% better score. The overclocking potential of the i5-13600K is really good, but you will need to go for a higher cooling solution to keep the beast tamed. That’s because in my tests, the CPU drew 192W, and its temperature peaked at 81°C. Since I used a high-end custom cooling setup, you should expect even higher temperatures with a normal AIO.
Again, just like the i7-13600K, you can pair the i5-13600K with a Z690 motherboard and get the most value out of your money as well without compromising on performance. It is truly the best CPU to pair with RTX 4070 Ti.
What We Liked
![Core i5-13600K (Image By Tech4Gamers)](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Core-i5-13600K-768x930.jpg)
![Core i5-13600K (Image By Tech4Gamers)](jpg/core-i5-13600k-768x930.jpg)
I really liked how the i5-13600K is good at everything. But, most importantly, I loved how good its price-to-performance ratio is.
What We Disliked
After thoroughly reviewing the i5-13600K, there was not a single aspect of the CPU that disappointed me. Paired with the RTX 4070 Ti, you can expect solid performance out of your rig.
Who Is It For?
If you don’t want to spend too much on high-end offerings from Intel and AMD but you also don’t want to compromise on performance, then going with the i5-13600K is the best option for you.
What Makes It The Best Overall CPU For RTX 4070 Ti?
There are many reasons why the i5-13600K is the Best Overall CPU For RTX 4070 Ti. For instance, it offers good performance, it’s power and thermally efficient, it is backward compatible, and you can even overclock it for greater performance.
Best Components To Choose With The i5-13600k:
- Best Cooler for Intel Core i5-13600K
- Best Motherboard for Intel Core i5-13600K
- Best RAM for Intel Core i5-13600K
Intel Core i5-13400
Best Budget CPU For RTX 4070 Ti
![Core i5-13400 - Best Budget CPU For RTX 4070 Ti](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Core-i5-13400-Best-Budget-CPU-For-RTX-4070-Ti.jpg)
![Core i5-13400 - Best Budget CPU For RTX 4070 Ti](jpg/core-i5-13400-best-budget-cpu-for-rtx-4070-ti.jpg)
Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 10 (6P + 4E) | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 9.5MB | Base Clock: 2.5 GHz (P-cores) | Boost Clock: Up to 4.6 GHz (P-cores) | TDP: 65W
Pros
- Affordable
- Incredibly Power Efficient
- Comes With A Cooler
- Good Gaming Performance
Cons
- Locked Multiplier
The RTX 4070 Ti is a very well-built graphics card. It can easily handle AAA titles at 1440p and even 4K. Furthermore, it is not an exorbitantly expensive card. In fact, its pricing makes it quite a good GPU to recommend. Therefore, if you don’t want to spend a ton of money on the CPU to go along with the RTX 4070 Ti, then you can consider buying the i5-13400.
On paper, the i5-13400 holds up adequately. Given its extremely low pricing, it is actually quite attractive. For instance, the processor comes with 6 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores, giving it a total of 10 cores. Additionally, its P-Cores also support Hyper-Threading, so the CPU has a total of 16 threads (12 P-Cores, 4 E-Cores). Therefore, despite being aimed at the budget segment, you can still expect the i5-13400 to handle multitasking.
As for the clock speeds, the P-Cores of the i5-13400 have a base and boost clock speed of 2.50 GHz and 4.60 GHz, respectively, and the E-Cores have a base and boost clock speed of 1.80 GHz and 3.30 GHz, respectively. Surely, the clock speeds are not as high as the other processors I have listed, but the overall performance of the i5-13400 is still enough to complement the RTX 4070 Ti’s performance. In fact, the i5-13400 can be considered the minimum CPU for RTX 4070 Ti.
When we compared the i5-13400 with the Ryzen 5 5600X, the i5-13400 surpassed in every aspect. It performed ~7.6% better in gaming benchmarks, consumed ~15.4% less power, and stayed ~9.2% cooler.
While the gaming performance of the i5-13400 is just enough to make it the best budget CPU to pair with the RTX 4070 Ti, its low pricing and power efficiency make it an even more attractive purchase. For instance, the processor has a rated TDP of 65W, which in these times is really good. Sure, it can climb up to around 150W when you’re running extremely CPU-intensive tasks, but in most cases, the processor will be consuming very little power.
One of the biggest reasons why the i5-13400 is considered the best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti is that it has very good temperatures, so you don’t have to go after high-end coolers. Not only that, but the CPU itself comes with an included cooler; you can just use that and save a huge chunk of money. Furthermore, you can pair it with good DDR4 RAM and a 600-series motherboard and save further money. The overall platform cost of going with the i5-13400 is really low, and that’s what budget gamers want.
What We Liked
There are two aspects of the i5-13400 I really like. First, it offers good performance to go along with the RTX 4070 Ti without any bottlenecks. Second, it is very budget-friendly. Not just the CPU itself costs less, but the overall build’s cost is also reduced with the i5-13400 as you don’t have to purchase a separate cooler, and you can easily choose previous-gen RAM and motherboard.
What We Disliked
Since it is not a “K” series chipset, the i5-13400 does not feature multiplier-based overclocking, which can be disappointing for enthusiasts.
Who Is It For?
If you want to save some dollars and get the best budget CPU for RTX 4070 Ti, then the i5-13400 is a no-brainer. It will cut down your overall build cost as well.
What Makes It The Best Budget CPU For RTX 4070 Ti?
When it comes to the Best Budget CPU For RTX 4070 Ti, there is no better product than the i5-13400. It has a low price tag, offers adequate performance, supports 600-series motherboards and DDR4 RAM, and comes with a stock cooler that is enough to cool it down.
Different Comparisons Of The Core i5-13400:
Intel Core i9-13900K
Best High-End CPU For RTX 4070 Ti
![Intel-Core-i9-13900K-Best-High-end-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Intel-Core-i9-13900K-Best-High-end-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti.jpg)
![Intel-Core-i9-13900K-Best-High-end-CPU-for-RTX-4070-Ti](jpg/intel-core-i9-13900k-best-high-end-cpu-for-rtx-4070-ti.jpg)
Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 24 (8P + 16E) | Threads: 32 | L2 Cache: 32MB | Base Clock: 3.0 GHz (P-cores) | Boost Clock: Up to 5.8 GHz (P-cores) | TDP: 125W
Pros
- High-End Gaming Performance
- Can Be Overclocked
- Remarkable Productivity Performance
Cons
- Very Expensive
- High Power Consumption
- High Thermals
If you are looking for the most high-end CPU to pair with your RTX 4070 Ti, then the i9-13900K should be your choice. The CPU packs more sheer performance than any other processor I have reviewed. When paired with the RTX 4070 Ti, this CPU+GPU combo will take your rig’s gaming potential to the skies, and you will have enough raw performance to handle AAA titles for several years to come.
For starters, the i9-13900K comes with an astounding number of 24 cores, which in itself is a significantly higher number than any other consumer processor. In these 24 cores, you have 8 Performance and 16 Efficient cores. As you can expect, the i9-13900K also supports Hyper-Threading with its P-cores, so you get a total of 32 threads (16 P-cores, 16 E-cores).
If you think the number of cores and threads is exceptional, wait till you hear about the clock speeds. For the base frequency, the P-Cores and E-Cores clock at 3.00 GHz and 2.20 GHz, respectively, and for the boost frequency, they clock at a whopping 5.40 GHz and 4.30 GHz, respectively. Furthermore, using the Max Turbo Frequency, the best-performing P-Cores can even reach 5.80 GHz.
With such ground-breaking specifications, the Core i9-13900K can handle every task (whether game or application) you throw at it. When I tested it, the processor was far ahead of any other CPU by quite a margin. Therefore, when it comes to extreme performance, the i9-13900K is the best CPU to pair with the RTX 4070 Ti. With this combo, there will be no performance bottlenecks, and you can have a sweet gaming and productivity rig.
We tested the Core i9-13900K against AMD’s flagship processor, the Ryzen 9 7950X, and in almost all of the games, the Team Blue was far ahead of its rival by a good margin.
With high performance comes high temperatures, and the i9-13900K is a very difficult processor to keep at optimal thermals. You will have to spend top dollar on an equally high-end CPU cooler to keep this beast tame. Similarly, the power consumption is also quite up there. Under extreme workloads, you can expect the i9-13900K to consume more than 250W of power. Therefore, you need a high-quality PSU and a CPU cooler to go along with your rig.
The Core i9-13900K can be overclocked. However, with the RTX 4070 Ti, there won’t be a need to further increase the performance of this beast. Plus, doing so will also raise the already high power consumption and temperatures.
What We Liked
![Core i9-13900K](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Core-i9-13900K-768x512.jpg)
![Core i9-13900K](jpg/core-i9-13900k-768x512.jpg)
The high-end performance of the Core i9-13900K is what I liked the most about this processor.
What We Disliked
The high price tag, power consumption, and temperatures can be massive deal breakers for many gamers.
Who Is It For?
The Core i9-13900K is the best processor to pair with the RTX 4070 Ti if you can afford it and you want the highest possible performance out of your gaming PC.
Looking to build a gaming PC? Take a look at our gaming builds:
What Makes It The Best High-End CPU For RTX 4070 Ti?
The 24 cores, the ability to clock at 5.80 GHz, overclocking potential, 32 threads, and most importantly, extreme gaming performance. All of these features make the Core i9-13900K the Best High-End CPU For RTX 4070 Ti.
Best Components To Choose With The i9-13900K:
- Best Cooler for Intel Core i9-13900K
- Best Motherboard for Intel Core i9-13900K
- Best RAM for Intel Core i9-13900K
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Best Value CPU For RTX 4070 Ti
![Ryzen-7-5800X3D-Best-Value-CPU-For-RTX-4070-Ti](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ryzen-7-5800X3D-Best-Value-CPU-For-RTX-4070-Ti.jpg)
![Ryzen-7-5800X3D-Best-Value-CPU-For-RTX-4070-Ti](jpg/ryzen-7-5800x3d-best-value-cpu-for-rtx-4070-ti.jpg)
Socket: AM4 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 4MB | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 4.5 GHz | TDP: 105W
Pros
- Affordable
- Good Value For Money
- Works Well With RTX 4070 Ti
Cons
- Old Platform
On the other end of the spectrum comes the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Yes, it is an old-gen processor, but taking advantage of its extra L3 cache, the CPU still offers enough performance to suit the RTX 4070 Ti’s gaming potential. Furthermore, now that AMD has slashed the price of 5800X3D by a lot, it is the best bang for the buck you can get.
Hailing 6 cores with 16 threads, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D still offers good performance to handle the latest and greatest AAA titles. But, just the number of cores or threads doesn’t make it the best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti; it is actually the extra L3 storage that gives the Ryzen 7 5800X3D enough raw performance to easily go along with the RTX 4070 Ti. Just like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which is considered the best gaming CPU in 2023, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D also has an additional L3 cache storage stacked over its CPU die. Therefore, the CPU packs 96MB of total L3 cache.
Coming towards the clock speeds, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes with a base and boost clock speed of 3.40 GHz and 4.50 GHz, respectively. Compared to the other processors I have listed as the best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti, these clock speeds may not look as appealing, but once paired with the RTX 4070 Ti, all my tests revealed that the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a phenomenal processor to go for.
Its high L3 capacity gives it enough performance boost to make up for the low clock speeds, and games utilize this extra storage more than any other application, which is why the Ryzen 7 5800X3D holds such an impressive position to this day. For instance, when we tested the Ryzen 7 5800X3D against the Core i9-12900KS, the X3D processor performed neck-to-neck against Intel’s previous-gen flagship. Not only that, but it was also ~25.6% more power efficient.
Furthermore, even though the processor packs a solid punch, it is very affordable. You will find the Ryzen 7 5800X3D being offered with further discounts at different marketplaces. Therefore, when it comes to value for money, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offers the best FPS-per-dollar ratio with the RTX 4070 Ti compared to every other processor I have reviewed.
Not only is the processor itself cheap, but its overall platform cost is also very budget-friendly. Since it is based on the Zen 3 architecture, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D works with DDR4 RAM, which is more affordable than DDR5. In addition to that, you can get the best B550 motherboard for a fairly good price and have yourself a decent gaming PC with the RTX 4070 Ti.
What We Liked
![Ryzen 7 5800X3D](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ryzen-7-5800X3D-1-768x576.jpg)
![Ryzen 7 5800X3D](jpg/ryzen-7-5800x3d-1-768x576.jpg)
I was blown away by how much performance the Ryzen 7 5800X3D still offers in 2023 despite being so affordable. It offers the best value for money.
What We Disliked
At this price point, it is really hard to complain about anything regarding the performance. The only downside to going with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is that its platform is old (hence cheap), meaning that you will have to swap everything the next time you upgrade your CPU.
Who Is It For?
If your usage doesn’t require the most extreme processor, and you want something that is worth every penny, then the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is for you.
What Makes It The Best High-End CPU For RTX 4070 Ti?
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D makes the best out of its extra L3 capacity, nailing every AAA title I benchmarked on it. In light of its performance and how affordable the processor itself and its overall platform are, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is undoubtedly the Best High-End CPU For RTX 4070 Ti.
Best Components To Choose With The Ryzen 7 5800X3D:
Verdict: What Is The Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti?
![i5 13600k](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/i5-13600k-Box-1-1024x923.jpg)
![i5 13600k](jpg/i5-13600k-box-1-1024x923.jpg)
Finally, if I were to choose one CPU from the above, what would it be? Well, the answer is clearly the Core i5-13600K. The RTX 4070 Ti is not the most high-end GPU. Yet, it offers more than enough performance to easily handle the latest games at decent FPS. Similarly, the Core i5-13600K is no different, either. It sits in the middle of the Raptor Lake line-up and offers the perfect amount of raw performance to go along with the RTX 4070 Ti. Furthermore, it is also budget-friendly, making it ideal for those who don’t want to spend extra on a CPU.
Important CPU Key Terms
CPUs are surrounded by a wide range of technicalities. When looking for a CPU, keep an eye out for the following crucial terms:
- Cores: CPU cores are responsible for executing different programs (tasks) and performing the actual computation. Generally, you should go for a CPU with 8 more cores if you want high-end gaming.
- Threads: Referred as virtual tasks, CPU threads allow parallel execution of multiple programs inside a CPU.
- Multi-Threading: Hyper-Threading (Intel) or Multi-Threading (AMD) enables each CPU core to handle two threads in parallel, giving each individual CPU core the ability to multitask.
- Cache: It is a small but very fast memory storage residing in the CPU die. There are three levels of cache: L1 cache, L2 cache, and L3 cache. The L1 cache is built closest to the CPU. Hence it is also the fastest. As you move down the cache levels, the storage and distance from the CPU increase, but the speed decreases.
- Clock Speed: The clock speed of a CPU refers to how many data cycles it can complete in a second. The CPU will always run at its base clock speed, while its boost clock speed will be used only under heavy workloads.
- TDP: The TDP of a processor indicates how much heat it generates, determining the size of the cooler needed for efficient cooling. A higher TDP requires a larger cooler to handle the increased heat.
- Overclocking: Running CPUs at higher than stock clock speeds by giving extra power is called overclocking. It results in more performance but can also cause stability issues.
How We Picked The Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti
Given how great the RTX 4070 Ti performs, I had to pick those processors which offer equally good performance to complement the graphics cards. This means making sure that the CPU I recommend does not create any bottlenecks whatsoever. To make it happen, I tested my recommended processors and evaluated them over a series of factors. Whenever you are out shopping for a processor, you should also consider these factors to ensure that you make the right purchase.
Performance
![Our Test Bench](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Test-Bench-1-768x770.jpg)
![Our Test Bench](jpg/test-bench-1-768x770.jpg)
Obviously, I paid attention to the performance of my recommended CPUs the most. If a CPU is the best to pair with the RTX 4070 Ti, it should offer the numbers to be called the best. To judge the performance, I equipped my test bench with these processors and ran several gaming benchmarks on them. I also tested their productivity performance to see how well they performed in other CPU-intensive tasks. If you’re thinking of buying a particular processor, make sure to check its performance. You can look into our comparisons section to go through different processor/graphics card comparisons as well.
Value For Money
The RTX 4070 Ti is not a high-end graphics card. As such, it would be unfair to pair it with an overly expensive CPU unless you want the extra CPU performance. Anyways, I also scrutinized the pricing of the best CPUs for RTX 4070 Ti to make sure that I recommend those products which offer the most value for money. Take the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, for example, the processor isn’t from the latest generation, but it offers exceptional value, and that’s why it made it to my list.
Power Consumption and Thermal Efficiency
![Thermal camera to record the thermals of the VRM area (Image By Tech4Gamers)](https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/thermal-imaging-motherboard.jpg)
![Thermal camera to record the thermals of the VRM area (Image By Tech4Gamers)](jpg/thermal-imaging-motherboard.jpg)
As more high-performance processors hit the markets, the power consumption trend seems to climb up the ladder. The latest processors from both AMD and Intel draw quite some power. Therefore, I also tested my recommended processors based on how much power they will draw. That’s because if a processor is drawing extra power and is not delivering the anticipated performance, it means it has poor power efficiency. Furthermore, high power draw directly affects the processor’s thermals, meaning that you will have to invest in a good quality AIO or liquid cooler to keep such processors at optimal temperatures.
The power consumption and thermal efficiency can change the overall cost of the build. That’s why these two factors are very important when it comes to buying CPUs.
Overclocking
Not everyone is a fan of overclocking, but many tech enthusiasts, including me, prefer to push their hardware to their limits to test how much performance we can get out of them. Therefore, I also overclocked the best processors for RTX 4070 Ti to give you an idea of how much extra performance you should expect from them without crashing into errors.
Related Read: Does Overclocking Reduce CPU Lifespan?
Why You Should Trust Us
Tech4Gamers has been in the gaming and technology industry for over a decade. Over this period of time, we have built a team of hardware enthusiasts who are very passionate about testing and evaluating the latest and greatest tech. Our test labs contain a variety of test benches, each dedicated to a specific platform. We also have an inventory of hundreds and hundreds of hardware components so we can review, compare, and test different hardware with each other.
For my list of the best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti, I also tested a number of processors to gauge their performance, power, and thermal efficiency. My tests were conducted over a series of gaming benchmarks at different resolutions and nearly 30 productivity software.
Similar to processors, the team behind Tech4Gamers also conducts testing of motherboards, graphics cards, CPU Coolers (AIOs and Air Coolers), storage, RAM, PC Cases, and other components. Tech4Gamers follows strict criteria to conduct these tests, and that’s why our results are authentic and reliable. As a result of our dedication towards accurate testing, many hardware companies like Aerocool, ARCTIC, ASRock, ASUS, be quiet!, Cooler Master, Corsair, DeepCool, EKWB, Fractal, Gamdias, GIGABYTE, Kingston, MSI, Noctua, Orico, Razer, Sabrent, and Thermaltake has sent us their latest and greatest tech products so our reviewers can take them for a spin.
We are dedicated to serving our readers with the most authentic reviews and products, and that’s why our readers rely on us to assist them in building their next gaming rig. As such, I hope that my guide on the Best CPU For RTX 4070 Ti will also assist you in building your gaming PC.
FAQs
You should get the Core i5-13600K for RTX 4070 Ti. The CPU comes with 14 Cores and can clock at up to 5.1 GHz. It also offers good value for money because it is not an expensive processor.
The i5-13400 is the minimum CPU to pair with the RTX 4070 Ti. You shouldn’t pair the RTX 4070 Ti with a CPU that offers less performance than the i5-13400.
My recommended CPUs won’t bottleneck an RTX 4070 Ti. These include the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, i7-13700K, i5-13600K, i5-13400, i9-13900K, and Ryzen 7 5800X3D.
No, the i5-13400 will not bottleneck an RTX 4070 Ti. It is a very affordable processor which offers just enough performance to go along with the RTX 4070 Ti perfectly.
Also Read:
- Best CPU For Streaming
- Best CPU For Video Editing
- Best CPU For RX 7900 XTX & RX 7900 XT
- Best CPU For RTX 4090
- Best CPU For RTX 4080
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[Hardware Expert]
With a major in Computer Science, Sameed is a tech enthusiast who puts his passion for gadgets into words and creates informative blogs. From comparing different hardware to reviewing the best RAMs, motherboards, and graphics cards for your next build, Sameed has covered a wide spectrum of topics that have given him a special insight into every nook and cranny of the tech world. Sameed is also a certified expert at Computer Hardware & Networking.
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