Best CPU for Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti in 2023

We’re here to recommend our top four CPUs for the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti graphics card to boost frame rates and the overall performance of your PC.

The 4070 Ti came out back at the start of 2023 as part of Nvidia’s impressive line-up which includes the RTX 4090 & 4080. Probably one of the best GPUs for 1440p gaming, the 4070 Ti benefits from a CPU with at least six cores and twelve threads. The sweetspot is eight cores and 16 threads. With this in mind, we’ve selected four CPUs that suit a range of different budgets that avoid bottlenecks with your GPU. We update this page regularly to bring you up-to-date recommendations based on value for money and performance.

For your 4070 Ti to reach its full potential, it’ll need to be matched by a powerful CPU from either Intel or AMD, and arguably one of the best CPUs for gaming, period. You’ll also need to factor in the best PSU for RTX 4070 Ti into your budget to get the most out of your card. But now, let’s dive right into our top picks, which we’re always updating with the latest and greatest CPUs on the market today.

1. Best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti

If you’re one of the many gamers looking for the best performance out there, you’ll want to check out this CPU. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D boasts 8 cores and 16 threads, and this high-performance CPU is faster than some of its closest competitors, and other CPUs from AMD too.

Coming in at under $500, this CPU is actually quite reasonable for how much of a powerhouse it is, although you can bet that the surrounding components will end up on the more premium side, such as DDR5 RAM for instance.

With an impressive 5.2 GHz base clock, and built on AMD’s latest Zen 4 architecture, this CPU banks its place as one of the best CPUs for gaming on the market today, and we think it’s an excellent choice for the Nvidia RTX 4070 ti graphics card.

2. Best budget CPU for RTX 4070 Ti

We’re fully aware that despite being one of the best budget CPUs, it still doesn’t come cheap. This is because it’s part of the new Zen 4 architecture, with the AM5 socket providing support for both DDR5 & PCIe Gen 5. If you’d like to understand PCIe 5 vs PCIe 4 in more depth, we’ve gathered everything you need here.

This CPU has a lower core and thread count than the Intel Core i9-13900K but is still capable of an impressive multi and single-core performance thanks to its sizeable 5.6 GHz boost clock speed. AMD is definitely hoping to challenge Intel hereby upping its overall performance.

The 7900X will do a fine job serving the 4070 Ti, albeit on a slightly tighter budget than Intel’s 13900K.

2. Best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti

The Intel Core i9-13900K is a beastly GPU boasting an impressive 24-core and 32-thread count. In simple terms, this destroys both single and multi-core workloads. It’s since been proceeded by the Intel Core i9-14900K CPU known as Raptor Lake. For a marginally higher price, the upgrade you could opt for the Raptor Lake upgrade that boasts a higher clock speed.

Still though, the Intel Core i9-13900K does a brilliant job at handling all the information so that you can have an edge over your opponents.

The 13th-generation Raptor Lake CPUs have improved by 15% on single-core performance, and up to 41% on multi-core performance. This is no small feat. When you combined this with the convenience of its compatibility with the last generation’s motherboards, you’re singing.

Our CPU expert Jack, over on WePC has importantly highlighted a downside to a CPU as powerful as this one is the temperatures it could reach under stress. You’ll need to make sure your PC case is clean and consider investing in additional fans, or else run the risk of damaging your CPU and GPU.

Jack adds that ‘We don’t expect you’d ever reach the levels of usage and stress that we did in our test, but we managed to get the 13900K to throttle up to 13% using a 360mm AIO.’ In other words, overheating is always an issue to be aware of, even if the chances of dangerous overheating are less likely.

4. Best previous gen CPU for RTX 4070 Ti

Intel Core i7-13700K

Cores

16

Threads

24

Base speed

P-cores 3.4 GHz / E-cores 2.5 GHz

Boost speed

P-cores 5.4 GHz / E-cores 4.2 GHz

Cache

24MB

TDP

125 W / 253 W boost

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Pros

• Great overclocked performance
• Under $500

Cons

• L3 cache could be larger
• Heat and power consumption not the best

This processor is a brilliant choice in terms of price-to-performance ratio. We highly rate that the chipset is backward compatible with older Z690 and alternative LGA 1700 motherboards which can save a pretty penny in the building process, too.

It’s basically a better version of the Core i5-13600K with high clcok speeds, more L3 cache and a higher core count. While it’s unlikely you’d be disappointed by the 13600K, anyone with an older CPU would be impressed by this processor. Its Ryzen equivalent is probably closest to the Ryzen 9 7900X, though is slightly more power hungry.

This CPU will be able to handle virtually anything you throw at it with minimal risks of bottlenecks. If you can, pair it with DDR5 memory instead of DDR4 for the best possible experience. Also make sure you’ve got yourself the best CPU cooler for the job. This thing gets hot!

3. Best CPU for RTX 4070 Ti runner up

Intel Core i9-14900K

Architecture

Raptor lake

Cores

8+16 (24)

Threads

32

Boost speed

6.0 GHz

Cache (L2 / L3)

68MB (32 + 36)

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Pros

• Excellent single threaded and multi threaded performance
• Fastest Intel chip

Cons

• Gets very hot
• Doesn’t have AMD 3D V-Cache
• Not really an upgrade from its predecessor

You can’t exactly call this CPU a massive upgrade from its predecessor, the Intel Core i7-13700K though it’s still technically a good CPU. It currently represents the best on offer from Intel and comes out cheaper than AMD’s best ever CPU.

If you end up buying this graphics card, make sure you get the best cooler for the job because this thing runs hot. It’s also more exensive than its predecessor but not by much. When it released in October 2023, Intel introduced it as a Raptor Lake refresh rather than a total overhaul so I supposed they’re not lying. While synethic benchmarks proved that it’s an upgrade, we’re not convinced you’ll be able to really tell you’ve got a better CPU. However, chances are you’re not upgrading from the 13700K which is why we’re still recommending this CPU as one of the best for the 4070 Ti.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ryzen 9 7900X good for gaming?

Yes, the Ryzen 9 7900X is a high-end CPU specifically geared towards gaming performance. It has a good amount of L3 cache and a high boost speed both important factors for gaming performance.

Do I need to upgrade my CPU for RTX 4070 Ti?

You want to make sure your CPU isn’t bottlenecking the 4070 Ti. This is a powerful card so any old CPU won’t be able to keep up. Any of the picks on this list or chips that are similar will ensure your 4070 Ti can reach its full potential.

Will a Ryzen 7 5800X bottleneck a 4070?

Your resolution will determine whether the Ryzen 7 5800X will bottleneck a 4070. If you have a 1440p monitor, then chances are there will be a low risk of bottlenecking.