NVIDIA’s RTX 4070 Ti SUPER aims to provide top-tier performance for 1440p gaming, whilst also providing plenty of firepower to run the latest blockbuster titles at 4K. But in order to unlock the true potential of this graphics card, you’ll need an equally powerful processor. There are a range of CPUs from AMD and Intel that are excellent for 1440p gaming, all of which have their advantages over the competition.
But with so many CPUs to choose from, which option is the best for your PC build? In this buyers guide, we’ve handpicked the best CPUs to pair alongside the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, discussing the areas that each product excels and falls behind the competition.
Our Top Pick: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
When it comes to finding a CPU for the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D is our top pick. With excellent performance in the latest games, at both 1440p and 4K settings, along with substantial cores and threads to handle additional tasks, this CPU is simply one of the best options on the market. When you also consider the affordable price tag, it’s hard to overlook this CPU for any mid-range or high-end gaming PC.
The Best CPUs for RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
1. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
When it comes to finding a CPU for gaming, AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D is simply one of the best options on the market, thanks to the accelerated performance that comes with AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology. By adding another layer of L3 cache to the processor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D provides better performance in gaming applications, without major changes to efficiency and pricing when compared to its non-3D variants.
With a boost clock speed of 5GHz, 8 cores and 16 threads, the specs for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D are solid. But in gaming benchmarks, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D outperforms a number of other processors. On top of this, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is both efficient and not that thermally intense, allowing you to keep a lid on thermals with an air cooler.
| Key Specs | AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 8 |
| Thread Count | 16 |
| Base Clock Speed | 4.2GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5GHz |
| Max Cache | 104MB |
| Default TDP | 120W |
| CPU Socket | AM5 |
| Overclockable | No |
Unfortunately, there are some caveats with this Ryzen 3D variant. The lack of official overclocking support means that performance is somewhat restricted. And considering the limited number of cores and threads compared to CPUs of a similar price point, the advantages of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D are reserved for gaming purposes, making it less than ideal for PC builders looking to put a multifaceted system together.
Pros
- Gaming performance
- Competitive pricing
- Highly efficient
Cons
- Multi-core performance
- Overclocking support
2. Intel Core i7-14700K
If you’re looking for a more well-rounded CPU, then Intel’s Core i7-14700K is a safe bet. This 14th-Gen CPU arguably provides the most substantial upgrades from its 13th-Gen equivalent, as it increases the amount of cores and threads, as well as boosting the clock speeds.
Featuring 20 cores and 28 threads, the Core i7-14700K will be able to handle a wide array of tasks with ease. On top of this, the boost clock speeds of up to 5.6GHz results in excellent gaming performance at 1440p. Additionally, the Core i7-14700K can be overclocked for even further performance enhancements.
| Key Specs | Intel Core i7-14700K |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 20 |
| Thread Count | 28 |
| Base Clock Speed | 4.3GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5.6GHz |
| Max Cache | 61MB |
| Default TDP | 125W |
| CPU Socket | LGA1700 |
| Overclockable | Yes |
The only major concerns with this CPU is the pricing and power consumption. Whilst you can pick up the Core i7-14700KF for cheaper thanks to there being no need for integrated graphics when using this CPU alongside the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, this is still one of the most expensive mid-range processors on the market. On top of this, the Core i7-14700K draws up to 253W of power, which means you’ll need to pick up a sufficient PSU if you want to pair this CPU with the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER.
Pros
- Multifaceted performance
- Overclockable
- Core count
Cons
- Power draw
- Thermals
3. Intel Core i5-14600K
Anyone looking for a more affordable processor, which will still provide strong gaming and workstation performance, should consider Intel’s Core i5-14600K. This CPU develops on the strong foundations that the Core i5-13600K laid out, leading to smooth and responsive 1440p gameplay, with some legs at 4K to boot.
With a boost clock speed of up to 5.3GHz, along with 14 cores and 20 threads, the Core i5-14600K is more than capable of running the latest games without any issues, as well as boasting enough firepower for more CPU-intensive tasks such as video editing. To bolster performance further, this CPU can also be overclocked.
| Key Specs | Intel Core i5-14600K |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 14 |
| Thread Count | 20 |
| Base Clock Speed | 4GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5.3GHz |
| Max Cache | 44MB |
| Default TDP | 125W |
| CPU Socket | LGA1700 |
| Overclockable | Yes |
Whilst the Core i5-14600K hasn’t provided the substantial upgrade from the previous generation like we’d expect, the additional performance for a similar price point makes this CPU a better pick in the long-term than the Core i5-13600K. The main setback for this CPU is the higher power consumption compared to AMD’s offerings, which means you’ll need to pick up a powerful cooling solution to keep the Core i5-14600K’s thermals in check.
Pros
- Competitive price
- Multi-core performance
- Overclockable
Cons
- Power draw
- Thermals
Suggested Article: Best CPUs to Buy for the RTX 4070 SUPER
4. AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
AMD’s Ryzen 7 7700X is a strong mid-range processor that performs well in 1440p settings while sticking to a reasonable price tag. As one of the cheapest options featured in our testing roundup, the Ryzen 7 7700X is a viable option for RTX 4070 Ti SUPER users looking to build a 1440p gaming PC on a limited budget.
In terms of performance, the specs of this processor are comparable to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, as both CPUs utilise 8 cores and 14 threads. However, the Ryzen 7 7700X also offers boost clock speeds of 5.4GHz and can be overclocked. Plus, the Ryzen 7 7700X requires less power to run, making it a better fit for budget-oriented builds.
| Key Specs | AMD Ryzen 7 7700X |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 8 |
| Thread Count | 16 |
| Base Clock Speed | 4.5GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5.4GHz |
| Max Cache | 40MB |
| Default TDP | 105W |
| CPU Socket | AM5 |
| Overclockable | Yes |
The biggest downside to picking up this processor is with regards to thermals, as the Ryzen 7 7700X is known to run hot. Because of this, it is important to pick up a sufficient AIO cooler to go alongside this CPU. Another issue the Ryzen 7 7700X faces is the sturdy competition from Intel, as the likes of the Core i5-14600K provide similar gaming performance and pricing, but are also better equipped to handle workstation tasks.
Pros
- 1440p and 4K gaming
- Lighter workstation loads
- Power consumption
Cons
- Price to performance
- Thermals
How We Test the Best CPUs
To provide the best CPU recommendations possible, we conduct multiple tests and evaluation processes before making a final verdict on any of the products mentioned in our testing roundups. All of the processors featured have been benchmarked in the latest titles, as well as synthetic software such as CPU-Z and 3D Mark Firestrike. After gathering the results, there are a number of various factors to consider on top of performance, such as pricing and efficiency.
For more information on the methods used to determine our recommendations, take a look at our full breakdown on how we test CPUs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Should I Spend on a CPU?
For RTX 4070 Ti SUPER users, we’d recommend spending $250 to $400 on a CPU.
How Many Cores Do I Need for 1440p Gaming?
To play the latest games at 1440p, we’d suggest picking up a CPU with at least 4 cores.
What CPU Cooler Do I Need for a Mid-Range Gaming PC?
We’d recommend picking up at least a 240mm AIO liquid cooler for a gaming PC with mid-range components.
