We discuss the contenders for the best CPU for 4070 SUPER PC builds
Updated: Jan 16, 2024 10:42 pm
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We’re here to help you find the best CPU for RTX 4070 Super PC builds in 2024. Utilising our extensive knowledge of the market and the ample benchmarking data we’ve compiled in our many CPU review tests, the below processors are picked to cover a range of different budgets and performance requirements, from pure gaming to more productivity-based workflows.
Read our ‘things to consider’ section towards the bottom of the page if you want to remind yourself of the main considerations one should bear in mind before buying a new processor, or head straight to our individual product reviews for the breakdown of the pros and cons of each of our selections. We’ll be keeping this guide up to date with the latest releases so you can rest assured that it will always showcase the best models available.
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01
The best power/price pick for gamers
Ryzen 7 7800X3D
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02
The best option for non-gaming scenarios
Intel Core i7-14700K
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03
The best pick for those on the AM4 platform
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Today’s best CPU deals
Best CPU for RTX 4070 Super PC builds in 2024
Below are what we consider to be the finest processors to pair with an RTX 4070 Super build. More expensive processors with more cores may be available, but we’ve selected what we consider to be the best match for this particular graphics card. These picks may be subject to some change as newer products are released, though should remain fairly static for a time. In short though, you won’t go far wrong with any of these fine chips.
The best power/price gaming CPU for RTX 4070 SUPER PC builds
Pros
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3D V-cache makes for fantastic gaming performance -
Less limited thanks to dual CCD config -
Relatively efficient
Cons
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Locked to auto overclocking, no manual -
Requires relatively expensive AM5 motherboard
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a serious contender for the best gaming CPU currently available. It is not the fastest in terms of clock speed, but it utilizes an ingenious technology which gives it a massive boost in performance in those games that favour it to the point it can go toe-to-toe with much more expensive processors with more cores and higher clock speeds. For this reason it’s one of the best value processors we’ve seen on a performance/price basis for gaming scenarios specifically, though it doesn’t quite hit as hard as some competitors outside of this area: such as in productivity scenarios.
The secret to the power of this processor is that the 3D cache is not stacked laterally like a normal 2D cache but vertically. This drastically increases the number of chipsets you can cram into an area of any given size, thus resulting in larger cache capacities without sacrificing access speeds. Most (though not all) games benefit heavily from this, meaning great performance increases with no need to increase the clock speed. It’s important to note that this does not much benefit a lot of non-gaming applications however that rely on raw multi-core/single-core performance, so if this is your focus we’d recommend one of the other selections on this page.
In terms of the clock speed, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D still has reasonable stats in this area, with a 4.2GHz/5.0GHz base/boost speed respectively, which means that even in those games that don’t much benefit from the enhanced L3 cache, you’ll still get solid performance. Additionally with the 2nd gen 3D cache tech, AMD have gotten around the issues of heating and clock speed limitations the tech imposes (as found in the 5800X3D below), by only having it present on one half of the CPU with its ‘dual CCD config’. This means the other half of the chip can run as hot as it needs to, allowing for more overclocking than was previous available, although this is limited to auto overclocking only, which may put off those who like to tinker. It’s a nicely power efficient chip however, with low thermal output relative to the competing Intel models. The only other real drawback of this CPU is you’ll need to fork out for an expensive AM5 motherboard.
The best Intel CPU to pair with RTX 4070 SUPER GPUs for an edge in productivity
Pros
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Great single-core & multi-core performance -
Good value for money
This Intel chip has a whopping 20 cores and 28 threads, with a base/boost clock of 3.4GHz/5.6GHz, which is the highest you’ll find of the selections on this page and makes it a bit of a beast in both single core and particularly multi-core performance. The performance varies depending on the specific benchmark of course, but you can expect to see a peak uplift of as high as around 25% compared that of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D across some single core and many multi-core scenarios. In gaming specifically though the reverse is often true – with the AMD chip sometimes having a similar lead. If your focus is split between gaming and productivity however, we’d definitely favour the Intel CPU.
Admittedly there still isn’t an enormous increase in performance compared to the 13th gen equivalent – the Intel Core i7-13700K, however it’s difficult to complain about this too much when the i7-14700K retails for (slightly) cheaper than its predecessor – around $10 in MSRP terms – which makes buying it a no-brainer.
The i7-14700K also has the advantage of being compatible with the same LGA 1700 socket as the previous generation, which means there’s a good chance you won’t have to upgrade your board if you opt for this one, saving you a nice bit of cash. Unfortunately it does however draw a massive amount of power (around three times as much as the Ryzen 7 7800X3D), and produce a tonne of heat (topping out around 100℃ when stress-tested and in real world scenarios), so you’ll need a more advanced cooling system.
The best pick for those with an AM4 motherboard
Pros
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3D V-cache means great gaming performance -
Relatively inexpensive -
Doesn’t require a motherboard upgrade if yours has an AM4 socket
Cons
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No native overclocking support -
Medicore performance in games that don’t much utilise 3D cache
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D was the first processor to utilise ‘vertical stacking’ 3D cache technology, as found in the newer 7800X3D, and it still allows it to punch well above its weight. The overall effect allows for a huge 96MB L3 cache with a total access speed of 2TB/s and this boosts its performance in games substantially, despite having base/boost clock speeds of only 3.4GHz/4.5GHz, which is below that even of the standard Ryzen 7 5800X.
Indeed the clock speed has been lowered slightly as at higher speeds and voltage the vertical stacking doesn’t function well in this particular chip (less so than in the 7800X3D), which effectively means you can’t really overclock this processor. For the majority of games that well-utilise L3 cache this isn’t really a problem as the performance benefits are great, for those who don’t much utilise L3 cache however, the lower raw clock speeds can lead to less than stellar performance (though not bad by any means).
For a plug and play gaming-focused build though, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is still a top quality processor available for a reasonable price, and the fact you won’t need to upgrade your AM4 motherboard if that’s what you’re currently rocking, is a nice additional saving (AM5 ain’t cheap). You can have read our in-depth AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D review for more info.
Things to consider when looking for the best CPU to pair with 4070 Super GPUs
If you’re in the market for a new CPU it’s important to bear the following in mind.
How much does CPU choice affect performance in games and in other scenarios?
The CPU is the most important determinant of performance in the majority of scenarios you can use your PC for, serving as the central component determining processing power and speed in single-core and multi-core scenarios, though in gaming it comes second to the graphics card (assuming you have a dedicated GPU) and in some of the creative/productivity software which rely upon GPU performance. Even in gaming though, the CPU is still very important, and a weaker CPU paired with a strong graphics card can cause performance bottlenecking.
What is CPU bottlenecking?
CPU bottlenecking is when the relative weakness of the CPU puts a cap on the overall performance your system is capable of achieving, even if it’s paired with a very powerful GPU for instance.
This may result in stuttering and slowdowns in gaming scenarios, as FPS drops diminish the smoothness and enjoyment of gameplay, particularly in fast-paced or competitive games that demand a high frame rate. CPU bottlenecks can also impede various other tasks, including video editing, rendering, and encoding, leading to an overall reduction in system responsiveness.
Power considerations i.e. CPU TDP
TDP (or Thermal Design Power), measured in Watts, is an indicator of the power consumption of a particular component, most typically a CPU, that also gives an indication as to its performance and thermal output in terms of what cooling is required.
The foremost consideration however is that the power supply (PSU) of your build is sufficient to manage the TDP of the processor in conjunction with the rest of your build, in particular the power hungry graphics card. The default TGP (Total Graphics Power) of the RTX 4070 Super is 220W, though some AIB variants will go up to 245W. You’ll most likely need a PSU rated to somewhere between 650-750W (read our best PSU for RTX 4070 Super guide for more info), but which one you go for depends on the TDP of your processor.
Final Word
We hope that this guide has helped you find the best CPU for RTX 4070 Super PC builds to meet your needs and budget.
In summary, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the best CPU to pair with 4070 Super cards if your focus is on gaming performance and you don’t mind potentially having to purchase a new AM5 motherboard. The Intel Core i7-14700K is a great pick if you want to meld gaming performance with productivity work, as it’s the best all-round performer in single-core and multi-core scenarios, however it is more power-hungry and requires additional cooling. Finally the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a solid pick if you want to stick to your AM4 motherboard, save a bit of money, but still get great gaming performance.
