The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT has hit the shelves, and the overall sentiment for the 16GB version of this card is pretty positive. With an MSRP of $349.99, the RX 9060 XT 16GB is a solid-value graphics card that offers excellent 1440p performance, beating out an RTX 5060 Ti in various games. Since its launch, the RX 9060 XT has remained in stock at MSRP, so this GPU is a worthwhile pickup for those looking to game on a tighter budget.
However, one of the questions we’re often asked with any graphics card launch is, What are the best CPUs to buy? There are numerous CPUs on the market that cater to those seeking the best performance, or gamers looking to minimise expenditure. That’s why we’ve rounded up and tested the best CPUs money can buy to provide a range of pairings with the RX 9060 XT.
In this buyer’s guide roundup, we’ll explore and analyse the best CPUs for the RX 9060 XT, covering the specs, performance and pricing to determine which are the best pairings for this graphics card.
Our Top Pick: AMD Ryzen 5 9600
The AMD Ryzen 5 9600 is the Best CPU for the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT. This processor offers a strong boost clock speed and low power budget, allowing you to enjoy strong gaming performance across the board. Additionally, the AMD Ryzen 5 9600 sits at a highly competitive price point, making it a great pickup for those tied to a tighter budget. Overall, it’s a solid pairing for some 1080p/1440p gaming with the RX 9060 XT.
Best CPUs for the RX 9060 XT
1. AMD Ryzen 5 9600
Since the release of Ryzen 7000, AMD’s Ryzen 5 CPUs stand out as some of the best CPUs on the market due to their high boost clock speed, low power budget and exceptional pricing. The Ryzen 5 9600, in particular, takes all of the features and specs that we loved about the Ryzen 5 7600 and improves upon them.
The two most notable specifications of the Ryzen 5 9600 are its clock speed and power consumption. This CPU operates at 5.2 GHz, with a base speed of 3.8 GHz. Although the Ryzen 5 9600 isn’t overclockable, we don’t think this is a huge loss considering the performance on offer. Because the Ryzen 5 9600 has a low TDP of 65W and generally requires minimal power during operation, it can sustain this clock speed across various games, making it an excellent option for 1080p, all the way up to 4K with the right GPU pairing.
| Key Specs | AMD Ryzen 5 9600 |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 6 |
| Thread Count | 12 |
| Base Clock Speed | 3.8GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5.2Hz |
| Max Cache | 38MB |
| Default TDP | 65W |
| CPU Socket | AM5 |
| Overclockable | No |
Furthermore, the Ryzen 5 9600 is relatively inexpensive. Due to the lack of overclocking support and a slightly lower clock speed compared to the 9600X, this processor is priced at around $200, depending on the retailer. The competitive pricing and outstanding performance consolidate that the Ryzen 5 9600 is a great all-rounder for budget gaming.
However, I think the main caveat to consider regarding the Ryzen 5 9600 is the core count. This is only a six-core, twelve-thread CPU, so it won’t be able to cope with much more beyond the scope of gaming and chatting to friends on Discord. If you plan to push your system with more intensive tasks, we recommend a CPU alternative with a higher core count.
Pros
- Excellent gaming performance
- Competitive pricing
- Low power budget
Cons
- Only six cores
- No overclocking support
2. AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is our second recommendation in this buyer’s guide roundup, and a solid alternative to the Ryzen 5 9600 for those who need a bit more oomph in their build. This is the slightly more powerful sibling of the Ryzen 5 9600/9600X, offering eight cores and sixteen threads, clocked at 5.5GHz.
The higher number of cores and threads allows gamers to push their system a little bit harder. It’s much easier to multitask with more cores, but you’ll also have the ability to do some lighter workstation jobs, such as video editing or 3D modelling. While the boost clock speed here isn’t going to make a tremendous amount of difference in performance compared to the Ryzen 5 9600, it’ll still increase framerates to a degree in your favourite games.
| Key Specs | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 8 |
| Thread Count | 16 |
| Base Clock Speed | 3.8GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5.5GHz |
| Max Cache | 40MB |
| Default TDP | 65W |
| CPU Socket | AM5 |
| Overclockable | Yes |
In terms of power consumption and efficiency, the Ryzen 7 9700X has the same TDP as its Ryzen 5 siblings at 65W. This means it can also sustain its 5.5GHz in various applications and games. Additionally, the Ryzen 7 9700X is also overclockable, so those willing to tinker will be able to squeeze a bit more juice out of this processor with some trial and error.
Pricing is likely to be the factor that turns off most gamers. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X costs around $300, which isn’t horrific, but for a couple of cores and a higher clock speed, it may not be worth it for many. Those who are tied down to a lower budget will want to consider the Ryzen 5 range, which offer excellent performance at a considerably lower price point.
Pros
- High core count
- Low TDP
- Strong boost clock speed
Cons
- Pricier than 9600
- Not ideal for budget systems
3. AMD Ryzen 5 7600
The last CPU recommendation we’re covering in this buyer’s guide is the AMD Ryzen 5 7600. This is the slightly older sibling of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600 and a somewhat late addition to the Ryzen 7000 range. This is a processor we’ve recommended time and again due to its resilience and reliability, and it remains an excellent option in 2025.
Much like all of the other modern Ryzen 5 CPUs, the Ryzen 5 7600 stands out because it is a powerful performer in single-core applications, which means you can enjoy high framerates in your favourite games. And this is all thanks to its high clock speed and low power consumption, which allows it to push itself in the latest AAA titles.
| Key Specs | AMD Ryzen 5 7600 |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 6 |
| Thread Count | 12 |
| Base Clock Speed | 3.8GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 5.1GHz |
| Max Cache | 38MB |
| Default TDP | 65W |
| CPU Socket | AM5 |
| Overclockable | No |
In terms of pricing, the Ryzen 5 7600 is cheaper than the Ryzen 5 9600, which makes it worth considering if you’ve got no wiggle room in your budget. This wouldn’t typically be our go-to recommendation due to the value proposition of the Ryzen 5 9600, but if you’re limited on cash, the Ryzen 5 7600 still serves as a great CPU.
Similarly to the Ryzen 5 9600, the Ryzen 5 7600 only has six cores and twelve threads. While this will be ample for gaming, with some light background applications, much more than this, and you’re going to see your system struggle, especially with more intense applications.
Pros
- Solid gaming performance
- Ideal for budget gamers
- Low power budget
Cons
- Only six cores
- Not much cheaper than the 9600
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Overclocking?
It can be sometimes, but most modern CPUs have clock speeds that surpass the 5GHz mark, which is more than ample for gaming and workstation applications.
How Many Cores Do I Need for Gaming?
Generally, most games will use 1-4 cores, with four being the max. Six-core CPUs will be ideal for most gamers, but if you plan on multitasking, you may need a few extra cores to help spread the load.
Why Are There No Intel CPUs in This Roundup?
Unfortunately, Intel’s current 2025 stack of processors doesn’t quite meet the mark compared to AMD, which is why we’re featuring more Team Red overall.
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