The Radeon RX 9060 XT is an excellent GPU for 1080p and even for 1440p gaming, considering you are going for the 16 GB edition. This is currently the cheapest modern-gen 16 GB GPU you can buy, which trades blows with the more expensive GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB. This helps gamers to avoid spending over $500 on a GPU just to achieve 60+ FPS on ultra settings without having to worry about the VRAM bottlenecks, but the performance depends greatly on your CPU choice as well.
Ignoring the impact of a CPU should never be underestimated, particularly when you are aiming for high frame rates at 1080p resolution. The good news is that you don't have to spend $500 on the best gaming CPU if your system uses a budget GPU like the RX 9060 XT. This makes numerous excellent CPU-GPU combos possible if you want to achieve high frame rates at both 1080p and 1440p. Still, various factors, such as core configuration, efficiency, pricing, and platform costs, shouldn't be ignored.
In case you are searching for the best-performing CPU for your Radeon RX 9060 XT, then here are some of the best chips to pair with the GPU without breaking the bank.
Our Picks for the Best CPUs for Radeon RX 9060 XT
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- CPU Family: Ryzen 9000
- Architecture: Zen 5
- Cores/Threads: 6 / 12
- L3 Cache: 32 MB
- TDP: 65W (105W via BIOS)
- Platform: AM5
- Base/Boost: 3.9 / 5.4 GHz
| Pros | Cons |
| + Great value | - No stock cooler included |
| + Power-Efficient | - Small uplifts vs 7600X |
| + Runs cooler than predecessor | |
At the current $200 price tag, the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is a terrific processor for modern gaming (and productivity). You still get the same 6-core/12-thread configuration as its predecessors, but with the Zen 5 architecture, the IPC uplifts are 16% up over the Ryzen 5 7600X. The single-core performance is amazing, and so is its gaming prowess, but if you are comparing it directly with the Ryzen 5 7600X, there is hardly a 1-3% performance difference. However, thermals have improved drastically, which made cooling the Ryzen 7000 series a challenge.
The Ryzen 5 9600X not only improves in overall performance (both gaming and productivity), it also runs much cooler, reducing the requirement for a hefty cooling solution. Although the processor doesn't ship with a stock cooler, you can install a budget single-tower air cooler, and this will do the job just fine. For maintaining higher clocks, a 240mm or 280mm AIO is needed, although that's entirely a different thing that may or may not impact the performance drastically, as the impact of higher clocks varies from application to application.
The perks of getting the Ryzen 5 9600X are many, including an upgradeable AM5 platform, which will likely reach EOL after Zen 6, and the budget chipsets available for overclocking that offer good component support. A sub-$200 B650 or B850 chipset motherboard will do the job, allowing you to save money for the rest of the parts. But you could go lower if you don't like to dive into overclocking and stuff, as sub-$150 boards won't compromise on gaming performance at all.
Buy AMD Ryzen 5 9600X from Amazon
Intel Core i5 14600K
- CPU Family: Intel 14th gen Raptor Lake Refresh
- Cores/Threads: 14 / 20
- L3 Cache: 24 MB
- TDP: 125W
- Platform: LGA 1700
- Base/Boost: 3.5/5.3 GHz P-Core, 2.6/4.0 GHz E-Core
| Pros | Cons |
| + Excellent value for money | - Runs hot |
| + Great gaming and productivity performance | - High power consumption |
| + Great overclocking potential | - Uses older platform |
| + Offers platform flexilibility (DDR5 & DDR4) |
The LGA 1700 platform's reign has indeed ended, but the platform continues to offer decent performance for price compared to the newer LGA 1851 platform. Unfortunately, we can't recommend the newer Core Ultra 5 due to little to no performance benefits in gaming. Core i5 14600K, on the other hand, can usually be found for around $200, nearly at the same price as the Ryzen 5 9600X, but offers far more cores and threads.
14-cores and 20-threads may not help in boosting gaming performance, but it does help in productivity and other intensive tasks if you have a need for it. The only caveat is the discontinued LGA 1700 platform, but since most don't upgrade before 3-4 years, it should be quite good for years to come, and then you may replace the platform with a much newer one. At the moment, the processor is slightly ahead of Ryzen 5 9600X in gaming, but with the RX 9060 XT, the performance difference will be negligible.
You still need to take care of things like the right motherboard and the cooler, as the CPU can only be overclocked on a Z790 motherboard and requires an aftermarket cooling solution. Surely, you can use a budget chipset, but then you won't be able to overclock, and we already have locked CPUs for the same purpose. Also, ensure that you buy a motherboard with DDR5 DIMMs for optimal performance.
Buy Intel Core i5 14600K from Amazon
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- CPU Family: Ryzen 7000
- Architecture: Zen 4
- Cores/Threads: 6 / 12
- L3 Cache: 96 MB
- TDP: 65W
- Platform: AM5
- Base/Boost: 4.1 / 4.7 GHz
| Pros | Cons |
| + 64MB additional Cache | - No stock cooler included |
| + Very power-efficient | - Weaker productivity |
| + Excellent FPS-per watt | - Probably the most expensive 6-core CPU |
| + Dominates higher-end Ryzen 9000 chips in gaming |
We have tested the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, and found that the CPU is a beast despite boasting only 6 cores and 12 threads. It's unfortunate that in 2025, a 6-core processor costs nearly $300, but this is a gaming beast, meant to dominate higher-end CPUs in modern gaming. Ryzen 5 7600X3D outperforms almost all $300 processors in this regard and even puts higher-end Ryzen 9000 series chips to shame. That's essentially all we need for a sweet spot gaming experience, and for the Radeon RX 9060 XT, it's one of our favorites.
The reason for its impressive gaming performance lies in its ability to leverage the additional L3 cache present on the 3D V-Cache chiplet on the CCD. The 3D V-Cache technology is the reason why AMD has been able to dominate in the mainstream CPU market so easily, and this is going to get good in the coming years. Due to the absence of any competition from Intel, AMD can price its 3D chips quite high, and it is still able to sell millions of these CPUs.
That said, the CPU doesn't have a wide availability, but it is definitely coming to more regions. Initially, it was launched as Micro Center-exclusive, but it has slowly started to appear on other retailers, including Amazon and Newegg, and also in multiple parts of the world. Keep in mind that if you see this CPU available for over $300, it's best to avoid it because we have superior gaming chips for $350 and above. However, we aren't going to spend so much on a gaming CPU, unless you just want to flex or would want to make your system future-proof enough to add a more powerful GPU later.
Buy AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D from Micro Center
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- CPU Family: Ryzen 7000
- Architecture: Zen 4
- Cores/Threads: 8 / 16
- L3 Cache: 96 MB
- TDP: 120W
- Platform: AM5
- Base/Boost: 4.2 / 4.5 GHz
| Pros | Cons |
| + 64MB additional Cache | - No stock cooler included |
| + Great power-efficiency and thermals | - Expensive |
| + Impressive productivity | |
Ryzen 7 7800X3D still reigns as one of the most powerful gaming CPUs ever made. Thankfully, you no longer have to restrict yourself to just 6 cores, and you also get an additional 64 MB L3 cache on a CCD. The 7800X3D is close to the 9800X3D in gaming performance, but the price difference is quite good enough to recommend the 7800X3D for most gaming builds. The 7800X3D is easily $100-$120 cheaper versus the 9800X3D on most days, and that's enough of a price gap that give you more performance per dollar.
For budget GPUs like Radeon RX 9060 XT, the 7800X3D is overkill, but if you need to carry out more intensive operations, the 7800X3D is a big step up over 7600X3D for just $50-$70 more. It's best for both gaming and productivity, and will be particularly excellent for future-proofing since it handles even the best gaming GPUs on the planet without breaking a sweat.
Buy AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D from Amazon
Intel Core i5 14400F
- CPU Family: Intel 14th gen Raptor Lake Refresh
- Cores/Threads: 10 / 16
- L3 Cache: 20 MB
- TDP: 65W
- Platform: LGA 1700
- Base/Boost: 2.5/4.7 GHz P-Core, 1.8/3.5 GHz E-Core
| Pros | Cons |
| + Cheap | - Not overclockable |
| + Plenty of cores | - No discrete GPU |
| + Decent gaming and productivity | |
| + Comes with a stock cooler |
If you are on a tight budget, then you would probably be better off with the Core i5 14400F, which is a downgraded sibling of the Core i5 14600K. Don't underestimate it, as it can trade blows with more expensive chips like Ryzen 7600X for a much lower price. Initially, the CPU used to cost nearly $200, but now it has come down to $135-$150. With gaming performance on par with newer CPUs, and a cost nearly $40-$50 lower, the CPU makes itself an attractive option for budget builds, which is what a lot of Radeon RX 9060 XT owners will be aiming for.
Even though you are getting four fewer cores than the 14600K, the performance core count remains the same, which is why it is able to keep up with demanding tasks. More notable feats of 14400F include power efficiency, low heat generation, and the included stock cooler, which eliminates the need for an aftermarket cooling solution. The CPU is, unfortunately, not overclockable, but this further helps in slashing the overall PC cost by simply opting for a locked chipset instead of buying a more expensive Z790 motherboard. But once again, you will be limited by the platform since the LGA 1700 platform won't be available for a long time.
Buy Intel Core i5 14400F from Amazon
Things to Consider Before Buying a CPU for Radeon RX 9060 XT:
Target Resolution: Radeon RX 9060 XT, especially the 16 GB version, is able to play most games on ultra settings even at 1440p, but the majority of gamers still own a 1080p monitor, which will make the games more CPU-bound. If you are going to play at 1080p resolution, then it's best to get an X3D chip, but the extra FPS won't be significant enough to make it noticeable. So, you don't have to worry too much about the performance, and any of the above-mentioned CPUs will do a great job. All of it boils down to your budget for the CPU, and you won't regret any of our recommended CPUs.
Cores/Threads: Six is the minimum number of cores you should have on your CPU, and better if it has hyperthreading. Thankfully, in 2025, getting a 6-core/12-thread CPU isn't difficult at all, and you can even find over a dozen cores if you are going with Intel. The extra cores won't necessarily help in higher gaming performance, but if you are a content creator, then you can save extra minutes. If gaming is your focus, then getting any 6-core or 8-core processor with the latest CPU architecture will be excellent.
Bottlenecks: In case you don't want to settle for any of our recommended options, then all you need to keep in mind when choosing a CPU is eliminating the bottlenecks. It won't be a big issue as long as you are buying any CPU from the latest AMD and Intel families, but as long as it is not a 5+ year-old CPU or only has four cores, then you are good to go. Our picks will ensure your GPU can hit nearly 100% of usage whenever needed without breaking a sweat, but if you have any other option in mind, feel free to let us know in the comments.
Platform/Upgrades: For those who already have a system and are just upgrading to the Radeon RX 9060 XT, it's important to consider the performance impacts of an older CPU. If your CPU is from AMD's Ryzen 5000 family or from Intel's 12th/13th gen series, you shouldn't be upgrading your CPU at all. However, if you are building a PC from scratch, we recommend settling for the AM5 platform for future-proofing. In case you want the best value gaming rig, then the Intel LGA 1700 platform with the Core i5 14600K will be excellent as well. But you may need to upgrade your platform 3-4 years down the line if that's not a problem.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
