The best processor for RTX 4070 or 4070 Ti

Learn how to maximize your gaming performance with the best processor and graphics card combinations, focusing on options to fit every budget and performance need.

The NVIDIA RTX 4070 and RTX 4070 Ti are some of the best graphics cards you can buy for high frame rate gaming at 1440p, and even a bit of 4K in good titles. However, to take full advantage of these graphics cards, it is essential to pair them with a powerful processor.

Pairing GPUs with CPUs can be tricky. When upgrading your PC, you might have a certain graphics card in mind based on price and performance, but choosing the best processor to pair with it doesn’t always seem obvious. For the RTX 4070 or 4070 Ti, here are your best options to consider.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Best CPU for the RTX 4070 and 4070 Ti

Benefits

• Outstanding gaming performance
• Good value for money
• Solid multi-core and productivity performance
• AM5 becomes cheaper

Disadvantages

• Low single-core performance

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a true workhorse of its generation. It delivers gaming performance comparable to today’s most expensive processors — the Ryzen 7950X3D and Intel Core i9-14900K — but at a fraction of the price and power consumption. Thanks to its massive 96MB L3 cache, this processor far outperforms its competitors in gaming, and with its eight Zen 4 cores, it is perfectly suited to modern gaming. Paired with an RTX 4070 or 4070 Ti, this CPU allows your games to run smoother and faster, with significantly reduced load times.

The extra cache is especially useful in heavy simulation games, so if you like playing expansive strategy titles with long loading times and complicated AI tricks, this CPU is a great choice.

However, you’ll have to compromise on productivity with this chip, as the 3D V-Cache forces the CPU to run at a lower operating frequency than the comparable eight-core 7700X. It also lags behind the best Intel and AMD CPUs on this score, because they simply have more cores to tap into.

But for the association with a powerful graphics card? The 7800X3D is the best CPU for the job. It will help you get the most out of your 40 series graphics card.

Intel Core i5-13600K

Best Intel CPU for the 4070 and 4070 Ti

Benefits

• Cheaper than AMD competitors
• Support for 600 series and DDR4 motherboards
• Solid multi-core improvements
• Surprising improvements from one generation to the next

Disadvantages

• High energy consumption
• Limited in-game performance gains

The Intel Core i5-13600K may not be Intel’s most advanced processor, but in terms of cost, efficiency, and performance, it’s one of the best CPUs the Blue team offers . With a total of 14 cores (6 performance cores + 8 efficiency cores), it delivers impressive performance in multitasking and gaming, while its high 5.1 GHz frequency ensures exceptional performance under pressure.

However, unlike cutting-edge 13th and 14th generation CPUs, the 13600K does not overheat or require incredible amounts of power to operate. Although it is less efficient and less efficient than the 7800X3D, it is not far behind and remains just as affordable. You can also pair it with DDR4 memory and older motherboard designs if you want to save a little more money.

When paired with an RTX 4070 or RTX 4070 Ti, this processor delivers excellent gaming performance. It won’t be as impressive as the 7800X3D, especially at lower resolutions and in more demanding simulation games, but if you want an Intel CPU for work, especially if you’re upgrading to a compatible 12 generation, the 13600K is a excellent choice.

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D

The most powerful AMD CPU

Benefits

• Outstanding gaming performance
• More efficient than the base Ryzen 9 7950X
• Productivity performance up to par
• Unlocked for overclocking

Disadvantages

• Expensive
• The AM5 remains an expensive upgrade

If you’re looking for the best value for money processor to pair with the 4070 or 4070 Ti, there’s no doubt, the Ryzen 9 7800X3D is what you need. But for raw power? The 7950X3D is the best processor. It’s much more expensive and in some games it may even have slightly lower performance, but it has more cores — 16 versus 8 — and it can boost higher on individual cores, which generally makes it slightly faster stake.

With its 16 cores, it is also much more capable in productivity tasks. Especially since these eight additional cores do not have the extra cache, so can operate at their maximum boost frequencies. This is the type of CPU that can really compete with Intel’s best and come out competitive, if not ahead — and do it with much lower power consumption, too. But if you know how to overclock your processor, you can get extra performance.

It is more competitive, rather than dominating, compared to the 7800X3D. So only buy it if you want extra productivity performance and feel comfortable increasing your budget for it.

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

Best budget CPU for the RTX 4070 and 4070 Ti

Benefits

• Affordable price
• Six powerful Zen 4 cores
• Very effective
• Long upgrade path

Disadvantages

• Slightly more expensive than Intel equivalents
• Requires DDR5 memory

If you’re looking for a more affordable processor to pair with your RTX 4070 or 4070 Ti, the Ryzen 5 7600X is your best choice. At around €230 at the time of writing, it represents excellent value for money, with a long upgrade path ahead where you can replace it with a faster processor for years to come, without changing cards mother.

You’ll need DDR5 memory for this, and AMD 600 series motherboards are still expensive compared to their previous generation counterparts, but overall this represents the best budget CPU for gaming or productivity with a 4070, at a low price, around €200.

The Intel equivalent would be a Core i5-13400, but while that’s slightly cheaper, its performance is lower, and there’s a much more limited upgrade path.

Buying a new processor is not a step to take lightly. In fact, if you’re not sure when to upgrade your CPU, wait until you know the time is right.

Do your research and make sure you know what you are buying. Our guide to buying a new CPU should help you here.