Therefore, you will need a powerful GPU as well as a similarly powerful CPU to play these games at best quality preset. Right now, you will need at least an Nvidia 3060 Ti GPU to be able to use Ray Tracing without severe impact on the game’s FPS. Here are some things you should know about a CPU before pairing it with an Nvidia 3060 Ti.
CPU Cores and Threads: The very first thing that you need to check on a CPU is its core and thread count as this is the only factor that will tell you about the capabilities of the processor. And since you are pairing the CPU with an RTX 3060 Ti, you will definitely benefit from the CPU’s high core and thread count as these CPUs are much more capable of offering better performance under heavy load. Clock Speed: The clock speed of a CPU is also one of its notable factors, which refers to the overall processing speed of the chip. Even if you are finding 2 options with identical core and thread count, the one with a higher clock speed will always be a better choice as you will get higher FPS with such a CPU. When you are checking the clock speed of a CPU, make sure you note the base clock speed as well as the boost clock speed of the unit to get an idea about the overall working speed of the unit in all conditions. CPU Model and Generation: Lastly, we will suggest checking the model and generation of the CPU you are buying as this not only affects the performance of the CPU, but also its compatibility with your motherboard. If you already have a motherboard, you need to pick up a CPU of the generation which is supported by your motherboard. For that ,you can check your motherboard’s CPU socket and chipset and compare that with the CPU to avoid compatibility issues.
While these are the most important parameters of a CPU, there is a lot more to know about these microprocessors before you can decide which option is the perfect candidate for your PC build. Therefore, we will be going through the best options available on the market right now that you can pair with an RTX 3060 Ti GPU. And since all of these options are quite high-end and powerful, you can also upgrade your GPU later on without having to change the CPU to get even better gaming experience. We will also dive deep into the important qualities of a CPU in our “Buying Guide” for the best CPU for 3060 Ti, so make sure you check that out before making a choice.
Best CPU For 3060 Ti Tabulation
Best CPU For 3060 Ti Reviews
1. Intel Core i7-13700KF CPU
As we all know, Intel is right now dominating the CPU market with the release of its 13th Gen CPUs which are highly powerful and priced very competitively. Therefore, we will start off our list with this great option from the 13th gen Intel lineup. In the 1st position, we are putting one of the most powerful CPUs ever released by Intel. The Intel Core i7-13700KF is the 13th Gen Intel CPU offering 16 cores, 8 of which are P-cores whereas 8 are E-cores to offer a balanced performance. It also has 24 threads which let the CPU handle heavy multitasking without a sweat. The performance hybrid architecture of this CPU has 2 core microarchitectures which further streamlines its performance. Coming to the clock speeds, the Intel Core i7-13700KF offers a clock speed ranging up to 5.40 GHz. Since the CPU’s clock speed is already quite high, you won’t need to overclock the chip at all. Plus, it also has 30 MB cache capacity, making it possible for the CPU to collect a lot of recurring data and save a lot of loading times during gaming. Best Features
This CPU is from the 13th Gen Intel lineup It has 16 cores and 24 threads Works at 5.40 GHz clock speed It has 30 MB cache capacity It has 125 Watts processor base power
Pros
One of the most powerful CPUs from Intel’s 13th Gen lineup It has 8 P-cores, and 8 E-cores Clock speed is very good
Cons
Very expensive option compared to other choices
2. Intel Core i7-13700K CPU
If you are not satisfied with the performance of the CPU we just checked out, the following option from Intel will be perfect for you. This is basically the top-of-the-line commercial CPU available on the market right now. In the 2nd position, we are putting the Intel Core i7-13700K CPU. This is also a fine choice from the 13th Gen CPU lineup from Intel. In fact, this is the most powerful CPU you can get right now, making it a perfect option for RTX 3060 Ti and premium-range GPUs such as RTX 3090 and even RTX 4090. This CPU offers 16 cores and 24 threads,, just like our last pick, which leaves no doubt for its performance of processing capacity. It also operates at 5.40 GHz clock speed out of the box, eliminating the need for overclocking the chip altogether. And since it supports PCIe 4 and PCIe 5, you won’t have any difficulties later on when you upgrade your GPU. The Intel Core i7-13700K also has the advantage of 30 MB cache capacity for quickly accessing recent data and making the gaming performance flawless, to say the least. You will also find 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores on the CPU, provided to offer a balanced performance. Best Features
This CPU is from the 13th Gen Intel lineup It has 16 cores and 24 threads Works at 5.40 GHz clock speed It has 30 MB cache capacity It has 125 Watts processor base power
Pros
Most powerful option on the CPU market right now Best option for RTX 3060 Ti and more powerful GPUs Supports PCIe 4 and PCIe 5 interface
Cons
Most expensive choice for a desktop CPU right now
3. Intel Core i7-12700K CPU
Even though the 13th Gen CPUs from Intel are quite famous these days, its 12th Gen options are also equally capable, especially when it comes to gaming. Therefore, we have chosen a few Intel options from the 12th Gen lineup for this list. Our 3rd choice for the best CPU for RTX 3060 Ti is the Intel Core i7-12700K CPU. This is arguably the best option from the 12th Gen Intel lineup, making it an affordable choice as well as a powerful chip for gaming. This CPU offers 12 cores and 24 threads operating at 5 GHz clock speed. To be honest, there are barely any games in the industry right now which can utilize this much CPU power, let alone needing an upgrade. On top of that, this is also an unlocked CPU, allowing you to overclock the CPU for an even better performance if needed. So, you can choose this CPU for an ultimate PC build with a premium cooling solution for multitasking such as content creation or live streaming. Even with these specifications, the TDP of this CPU is still 125 Watts, equivalent to what you get from even some of the high-end options, ensuring its performance. Best Features
This CPU is from the 12th Gen Intel lineup It has 12 cores and 20 threads Works at 5 GHz clock speed It has 25 MB cache capacity It has 125 Watts processor base power
Pros
Similar TDP as its successors Relatively cheaper option for the available performance Made with Intel’s i7 architecture
Cons
The cache capacity is comparatively lower
4. Intel Core i5-13600K CPU
Up next, we have one more option from the 13th Gen Intel CPU series which is also a budget choice. While it is not as cheap as a few other choices, it is certainly a worthwhile deal for the given specifications. The Intel Core i5-13600K is yet another CPU from the Intel’s 13th Gen CPU series which has managed to secure a spot on our list of the best CPUs suitable for the RTX 3060 Ti GPU. It features 14 cores and 20 threads with a clock speed ranging up to 5.1 GHz. It also has a core distribution of 6 P-cores and 8 E-cores to maintain the balance between power consumption and performance of the CPU. Just like other 13th Gen options from Intel, this CPU also offers a performance hybrid architecture which includes 2 core microarchitectures for proper load distribution. And, it comes with 24 MB cache capacity, which is not too bad as far as gaming is considered. On top of that, you will also have the advantage of Intel turbo max boost technology 3 and PCIe 5 support with this CPU, making it a future-proof option. Best Features
This CPU is from the 13th Gen Intel lineup It has 14 cores and 20 threads Works at 5.10 GHz clock speed It has 24 MB cache capacity It has 125 Watts processor base power
Pros
One of the fattest options with 5.1 GHz clock speed Budget choice from Intel 13th Gen lineup Compatible with Intel’s 600 and 700 series chipsets
Cons
Cache capacity is lower than other 13th Gen options
5. Intel Core i5-12600K CPU
Even though the options we have seen so far are quite premium, Intel also has some budget choices available on its 12th gen lineup. The following option on our list is one of these budget choices that go well with the RTX 3060 Ti. The Intel Core i5-12600K CPU is one of our budget choices for a CPU that you can pair with the RTX 3060 Ti. This is a 10-core and 16-thread CPU which has a core distribution of 6 P-cores and 4 E-cores, making it an ideal choice for a mid-range or an entry-level PC build. And as it offers up to 4.9 GHz clock speed, you will find its performance pretty close to other high-end options on normal tasks. And if you feel like the clock speed isn’t up to the task, you can always overclock this CPU since this is an unlocked option. Since this is a cheaper option, you will get only 16 MB of cache capacity on this CPU, which is quite low compared to what other Intel and even AMD options are offering. But, it is not that big of a tradeoff and should not affect the gaming performance too much, at least on comparative games like CSGO, Apex Legends, Valorant, etc. Best Features
This CPU is from the 12th Gen Intel lineup It has 10 cores and 16 threads Works at 4.90 GHz clock speed It has 20 MB cache capacity It has 125 Watts processor base power
Pros
Best option for an entry-level gaming PC build Performance is not too bad for the price Unlocked CPU from Intel
Cons
Not a future-proof option as you will need an Intel 600 series chipset, locking CPU upgrade path
6. Intel Core i5 12400F CPU
Just like our last pick, Intel has one more budget option coming from the 12th Gen CPU line which can be the perfect choice for a budget-focused PC build. Compared to other options, this CPU costs nearly half as much in comparison. The Intel Core i5 Core 12400F is yet another budget choice that we have selected for this list from Intel’s 12th Gen CPU series. To be clear, this is the cheapest option that you can pair with an Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti without compromising on the potential and performance of the GPU at all. This is a 6-core 12-thread CPU that offers 4.40 GHz clock speed and 18 MB cache capacity. Even though the specifications are not as impressive as what we have seen so far, you will still get an enjoyable gaming experience with this CPU. Although, because of these specifications, the Intel Core i5 Core 12400F has a very exclusive benefit of a lower TDP rating. This CPU has a TDP rating of 65 Watts which is nearly half of what we get on premium options. So, not only will this CPU save a lot on your CPU choice, but also allow you to choose a budget CPU without any doubt. Best Features
This CPU is from the 12th Gen Intel lineup It has 6 cores and 12 threads Works at 4.40 GHz clock speed It has 18 MB cache capacity It has 65 Watts processor base power
Pros
Cheapest option right now for a gaming PC build Power requirement is very low Decent clock speeds are provided
Cons
This CPU is not unlocked
7. AMD Ryzen™ 7 7700X CPU
Now that we have seen all suitable choices for an RTX 3060 Ti from Intel, let us turn our attention to what we can find from AMD. The following is one of the high performing options from AMD’s 7th Gen series. The AMD Ryzen™ 7 7700X is one of the most powerful options available from AMDs CPU lineup right now which will be ideal for an RTX 3060 Ti. This is an 8 core 16 thread unlocked CPU that works at 5.4 GHz, making the clock speed exceed even the most premium options available from its competitors. And because of that, this is one of the most preferred choices right now for a gaming PC build. Based on AMDs Zen 4 architecture, this CPU also makes it possible to upgrade the CPU without having to replace your motherboard, all thanks to the wide upgradeability available with AMDs motherboard chipsets. Another great feature of this CPU is that you will get 80 MB cache capacity on this CPU, which is simply astonishing considering even the top option from Intel is offering nearly half of it. This CPU requires an AM5 socket and will work on almost all 600 series motherboards. Best Features
This CPU is from the 7th Gen Ryzen lineup It has 8 cores and 16 threads Works at 4.5 GHz clock speed It has 32 MB cache capacity It has 105 Watts processor base power
Pros
Supports PCIe 5 interface Cache capacity is highest in comparison Very fast clock speed
Cons
Core and thread count is lower than most other choices
8. AMD Ryzen™ 5 7600X CPU
In the end, we are bringing yet another budget choice for a CPU that you can use with an RTX 3060 Ti GPU. This cheaper alternative is also from the 7th Gen series from AMD and you will find this option perfect for a budget-focused PC build. The AMD Ryzen™ 5 7600X is our final pick for this list of the best CPU for RTX 3060 Ti GPU and it is also the best option for a budget PC build that offers pretty powerful performance and reduces the load on your PSU. This is a 6 core and 12 thread CPU from AMD and offers a clock speed of 4.7 GHz. Thus, you can easily play games like CSGO, PUBG, Fortnite, etc at high FPS without stressing the CPU too much. Despite being a budget choice, the AMD Ryzen™ 5 7600X still offers a cache capacity of 32 MB, making it equivalent to premium Intel choices in this regard. You will also get up to 5.3 GHz max boost clock speed support with this CPU with overclocking which is supported out of the box with this CPU. It also works with the AM5 socket, making it compatible with a lot of motherboard chipsets designed by AMD. Best Features
This CPU is from the 13th Gen Intel lineup It has 6 cores and 12 threads Works at 4.7 GHz clock speed It has 32 MB cache capacity It has 105 Watts processor base power
Pros
Budget CPU choice from AMD Future-proof choice as CPU upgrade is possible on the same motherboard Overclock support offers up to 5.3 GHz boost clock speed
Cons
Low core and thread count might cause problems in the future
Buying Guide For The Best CPU For 3060 Ti
If you are looking forward to building a high-end and powerful gaming PC, there are a lot of tough choices waiting for you such as the choice of GPU, motherboard, RAM, power supply, and most importantly, the CPU that you’re going to use with your build. Considering you are reading this guide, it is apparent that you have already chosen the Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti for your build, which is a pretty good choice considering it’s a budget card from the 30-series and has support for Ray Tracing and DLSS technology. And with the Ampere architecture, the overall gaming performance of this GPU is simply magnificent. However, you will have to choose the right CPU to pair with this card if you don’t want to miss out on the performance. For that, we have gathered this list of the best CPUs you can find. These are the latest and most powerful options on the market that not only supports 3060 Ti but also a lot of more powerful GPU choices, making it possible to upgrade your build in the future. But before that, let us talk more about some important features of a CPU that you should keep in mind before you buy one.
1. CPU Model and Generation
The CPU model and generation are the key specifications that define a particular CPU and determine its performance and capabilities. Thus, it is the first thing that you should check before you start checking other parameters. Here, you will have to focus on 2 different aspects of the CPU which are its architecture and generation, both of which are specified in the CPU nomenclature itself. Each model has different features, clock speeds, number of cores, cache sizes, and other specifications that determine its performance. CPU generation refers to the version or iteration of a specific CPU model. For example, the Intel Core i7 has gone through several generations, including the first generation (Core i7-900 series), second generation (Core i7-2000 series), third generation (Core i7-3000 series), and so on. Each generation has different improvements over the previous one, such as better performance, lower power consumption, and new features. Right now, the latest options from Intel are from its 13th Gen lineup whereas AMD is also ready with its latest 7th Gen CPUs.
2. Core and Thread Count
The cores and threads of a CPU are basically its internal components, or processing units to be specific which perform all the calculations and processing tasks of your system. To put it simply, the cores on your CPU are individual processing units within the CPU. Each core can handle a separate set of processing tasks simultaneously. For example, a quad-core CPU has four individual processing units that can handle four tasks at the same time. A CPU thread on the other hand is a unit of execution within a core that can handle a specific set of processing tasks. A single core can have multiple threads, which allows it to handle more tasks simultaneously. For example, a quad-core CPU with hyperthreading technology can handle up to 8 threads at the same time, with each core executing two threads. The same goes for both Intel as well as AMD processors. As you can imagine, having a higher core and thread count is obviously important for more processing power, even more so when it comes to gaming.
3. CPU Speed
While you are checking the cores, threads, and architecture of the CPU, make sure you also take a look at its clock speed which is an equally important factor. While other factors deal with the processing capacity of the chip, the clock speed of a CPU tells you about its overall working speed. The CPU speed, also called its clock speed, is typically represented in the GHz unit and it gives you an exact number of clock cycles the CPU can perform in 1 second. As one can imagine, a higher clock rate means that the CPU can perform more cycles in a given period, which results in faster processing speed. The CPU speed is affected by several factors, including the architecture of the CPU, the manufacturing process, and the number of cores and threads. Additionally, other factors like memory speed and storage speed can also affect overall system performance. While you are checking the CPU speed, make sure you factor in both, the base clock speed as well as the boost clock speed to get a better idea. The boost clock speed is more important for gaming as this is the speed attained by the CPU under heavy load, which is quite frequent when you are gaming.
4. Cache Capacity
There is one very crucial factor of CPUs that is often neglected but has a lot of impact on the performance of the chip, the cache capacity. CPU cache capacity refers to the amount of memory available on the CPU for storing frequently used data. The CPU cache is a small, fast memory that stores recently accessed data, allowing the CPU to quickly retrieve it without having to access the slower main memory. The CPU cache works on the principle of locality of reference, which means that data that has been recently accessed is likely to be accessed again in the near future. By storing this data in the cache memory, the CPU can retrieve it more quickly, reducing the time required to access data from the main memory. While the importance of cache capacity might be negligible in other aspects, it is very noticeable when it comes to gaming. CPU caches come in different levels, referred to as L1, L2, and L3 caches. The L1 cache is the smallest and fastest, followed by L2 and L3 caches, which are larger but slower. The size of each cache level and its access speed depends on the CPU architecture and design.
5. TDP
Lastly, we will talk about yet another factor that primarily impacts the CPU selection for a gaming PC build which is its TDP or thermal design power. When you are creating the list of components to be installed in your gaming build, you must have come across this term quite often as it is basically the amount of power required to operate these components. As you have already selected an RTX 3060 Ti, which has a TDP of 200 watts, you need to be even more careful while choosing the CPU when it comes to its TDP. If the total power requirement of all components exceeds the power supplied by the PSU, you won’t get enough power to operate the system efficiently and you will start to notice lags and buffers all over the place. If the TDP of your GPU and CPU is high, the only option you will have is to replace the power supply with a higher wattage one, which is not possible in all scenarios. Therefore, you should try to find a CPU with a lower TDP rating so that it can be paired with the RTX 3060 Ti without any additional arrangement. But, also keep in mind that lower TDP also means lower performance, which might become problematic for a gaming PC build.
Conclusion
CPUs are essential components of modern computer systems, and they play a critical role in determining the overall performance and capabilities of a system, whether it is a laptop, gaming PC, or an overly powerful workstation. When you are choosing a CPU, there are a lot of factors that you need to carefully acknowledge such as the CPU model and generation, core and thread count, speed, cache capacity, TDP, etc. All of these factors have a major effect on the performance of the CPU, and also its compatibility with your GPU. Usually, there are only a handful of CPU models that are perfectly compatible with high-end GPUs like the RTX 3060 Ti. To help you pick up the best option, we have created this list of the best CPU for RTX 3060 Ti. In this list, you will find all the best CPUs along with their detailed review. You will also find a helpful buying guide that can help you while you are choosing an option. Lastly, we have a few recommendations for you which might be the perfect option for you.
If you are choosing the RTX 3060 Ti for your gaming build, you are probably going for a budget PC build. And for that, the Intel Core i5 Core 12400F will be the perfect CPU choice. This is the cheapest option on the market right now which can fully utilize the GPU as it offers up to 18 MB cache and 4.40 GHz clock speed. This is a 6-core 6-thread CPU from the 12th Gen lineup from Intal, making it a perfect option for gaming as well as multitasking thanks to the increased number of cores and threads. And since it has a 125 Watts TDP rating, you can also go with a cheaper PSU without affecting the performance of the build. But if you are willing to create a future-proof gaming PC build and might look for a GPU upgrade in the future, we will suggest getting the Intel Core i7-13700K CPU. This is one of the latest options from Intel’s 13th Gen CPU lineup offering 16 cores and 24 threads. Such specifications allow the CPU to offer a lot of load without any problem. It also offers a pretty fast clock speed of up to 5.40 GHz and 30 MB cache capacity, making the performance unmatched by any other CPU option in this price bracket. The Intel Core i7-13700K also has turbo boost max technology and support for PCIe 4 as well as PCIe 5, making it perfect for new GPUs as well. AMD also has a fine choice of options for a CPU that you can use with the RTX 3060 Ti graphics card and the AMD Ryzen™ 7 7700X one of those. This is also an 8-core and 16-thread CPU, which is available at a relatively cheaper price tag compared to its competitors. The most important thing about this CPU is that this is an unlocked unit, meaning you can easily overclock the CPU to exceed the 5.4 GHz boost clock speed and get even better performance from your system. Another factor where this CPU beats all other options is its cache capacity. This is the only option on this list that offers 80 MB cache capacity, which is more than double or even triple what you are getting with other options.
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