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A GTX 1050 Ti is a modest 1080p card, so the best Ryzen CPU is usually the one that fits the board, memory and budget already on the desk. An AM4 upgrade can reuse DDR4, but it needs a motherboard BIOS that supports the chosen Ryzen 5000 processor. An AM5 build requires a new motherboard and DDR5 memory, which is hard to justify solely for this GPU but can make sense when the graphics card will be replaced later. The G and GT processors include Radeon graphics; the standard 5500, 5600, 5600X, 5700 and 5700X require the installed 1050 Ti for display output.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | $75–$105 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | $135–$170 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | $150–$190 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT | $140–$190 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT | $120–$170 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | AMD Ryzen 7 5700 | $175–$230 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | AMD Ryzen 7 5700X | $165–$210 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | AMD Ryzen 5 4500 | $65-$90 | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | AMD Ryzen 5 4600G | $85-$120 | Amazon · eBay |
| 10 | AMD Ryzen 3 4100 | $50-$75 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the budget six-core AM4 option for a 1050 Ti system that needs an affordable CPU refresh. It includes a Wraith Stealth cooler and has enough threads for everyday gaming, but its PCIe 3.0 design and 16 MB L3 cache mark it as the lowest-cost route.
- 6 cores and 12 threads
- 3.6 GHz base and up to 4.2 GHz boost
- 16 MB L3 cache
- 65 W TDP with Wraith Stealth cooler
- Low entry price for a six-core AM4 upgrade
- Cooler is included in the boxed package
- Uses PCIe 3.0 rather than the 5600’s PCIe 4.0
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger all-round AM4 pairing when the motherboard supports it and a 1050 Ti is staying in service. It brings 32 MB L3 cache and PCIe 4.0 capability while retaining six cores, 12 threads and a 65 W rating with a supplied Wraith Stealth cooler.
- 35 MB total cache combines L2 and L3
- 3.5 GHz base and up to 4.4 GHz boost
- 32 MB L3 cache
- AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0 support
- More L3 cache than the Ryzen 5 5500
- Bundled cooler keeps upgrade cost contained
- Requires the discrete 1050 Ti because there is no integrated graphics
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X offers the same six-core Zen 3 layout as the 5600 with a higher 4.6 GHz rated boost. It is a reasonable AM4 choice when priced close to the non-X version, though the 1050 Ti will commonly prevent that small CPU difference from changing game performance.
- 4.6 GHz maximum boost is the 5600X clock advantage
- 3.7 GHz base and up to 4.6 GHz boost
- Vermeer CPU exposes PCIe 4.0 lanes
- Unlocked AM4 processor with Wraith Stealth cooler
- Higher rated boost than the Ryzen 5 5600
- Unlocked for manual tuning on suitable boards
- Price premium may not show with a GTX 1050 Ti
AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT
The Ryzen 5 5500GT is an AM4 APU with six cores and Radeon graphics, useful if the 1050 Ti is being diagnosed or sold before its replacement arrives. It runs at 65 W and is frequently offered in boxed and tray forms, so verify the package before assuming a cooler is included.
- Cezanne die includes Radeon Vega graphics
- 3.6 GHz base and up to 4.4 GHz boost
- Integrated AMD Radeon graphics
- AM4 socket and 65 W TDP
- Can boot a system without the GTX 1050 Ti
- Built-in Radeon graphics add a troubleshooting fallback
- Retail pricing varies sharply between boxed and tray listings
AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT
The Ryzen 5 5600GT is the faster-clocked six-core AM4 APU, reaching up to 4.6 GHz while retaining integrated Radeon graphics. It suits a 1050 Ti owner who needs a backup display path, but its Cezanne layout has less L3 cache than the standard Ryzen 5 5600.
- Cezanne APU design combines CPU cores and Radeon graphics
- 3.6 GHz base and up to 4.6 GHz boost
- 5600GT retains an onboard Radeon Vega graphics engine
- AM4 platform and 65 W TDP
- Rated boost is 200 MHz above the 5500GT
- Useful iGPU remains available if the card is removed
- Does not provide the 32 MB L3 cache of the Ryzen 5 5600
AMD Ryzen 7 5700
The Ryzen 7 5700 brings 8 cores, 16 threads and Radeon graphics to an AM4 upgrade for someone who also uses the PC for CPU-heavy work. A 1050 Ti will not need all of that gaming capacity, but the extra threads are useful for encoding, virtual machines or substantial multitasking.
- 8 cores and 16 threads
- 20 MB total cache identifies the Cezanne Ryzen 7 5700
- Ryzen 7 5700 has Radeon Vega graphics on the processor
- 65 W AM4 processor
- 8 cores provide more concurrent-work capacity
- Integrated graphics can drive a display during GPU service
- Costs more than a six-core chip that is already enough for the 1050 Ti
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The Ryzen 7 5700X is the 8-core AM4 option for users who want more cache and PCIe 4.0 than AMD’s integrated-graphics 5700. It is a 65 W CPU with a 4.6 GHz rated boost, but it arrives without a stock thermal solution and has no video output of its own.
- Vermeer design supplies 36 MB total cache
- 3.4 GHz base and up to 4.6 GHz boost
- 36 MB total cache includes 32 MB L3 on the 5700X
- 65 W AM4 processor without bundled cooler
- Full 32 MB L3 cache benefits heavier CPU workloads
- Keeps an 8-core AM4 build at a 65 W rating
- Needs both a separate cooler and the 1050 Ti for display output
AMD Ryzen 5 4500
AMD Ryzen 5 4500 is a lower-cost AM4 option for a GTX 1050 Ti build. 6 Zen 2 cores and 12 threads; its modest platform cost is the point, while it is not the choice for a later high-end GPU upgrade.
- Ryzen 5 4500 has a 6-core Zen 2 layout
- 3.6 GHz base and up to 4.1 GHz boost
- 11 MB total cache
- Ryzen 5 4500 uses the AM4 desktop platform
- Lower-cost AM4 selection 8
- Budget six-core option for a 1050 Ti
- Less headroom for a future stronger GPU 8
AMD Ryzen 5 4600G
AMD Ryzen 5 4600G is a lower-cost AM4 option for a GTX 1050 Ti build. 6 Zen 2 cores and 12 threads; its modest platform cost is the point, while it is not the choice for a later high-end GPU upgrade.
- Ryzen 5 4600G pairs 6 Zen 2 cores with Radeon graphics
- 3.7 GHz base and up to 4.2 GHz boost
- Integrated Radeon graphics
- Ryzen 5 4600G is an AM4 APU
- Lower-cost AM4 selection 9
- Integrated graphics help if the 1050 Ti is removed
- Less headroom for a future stronger GPU 9
AMD Ryzen 3 4100
AMD Ryzen 3 4100 is a lower-cost AM4 option for a GTX 1050 Ti build. 4 Zen 2 cores and 8 threads; its modest platform cost is the point, while it is not the choice for a later high-end GPU upgrade.
- 4 Zen 2 cores and 8 threads
- 3.8 GHz base and up to 4.0 GHz boost
- 6 MB total cache
- Ryzen 3 4100 is a 4-core AM4 chip
- Lower-cost AM4 selection 10
- Lowest-cost 4-core path for light 1050 Ti play
- Less headroom for a future stronger GPU 10
Buying tips
- Update the AM4 motherboard BIOS only with the exact CPU-support instructions from its maker.
- Compare an AM4 CPU-only upgrade with the full AM5 cost of board, DDR5 memory and cooling.
- Choose a G or GT processor when a backup display output matters; standard Ryzen desktop chips listed here lack it.
- Keep the GTX 1050 Ti in place when using a Ryzen 5500, 5600, 5600X, 5700X or 7500F because none has integrated graphics.
- A 6-core Ryzen is normally enough for this GPU; spend more for 8 cores only when the PC also has demanding non-gaming work.
- Confirm whether a retailer is selling a boxed CPU or a tray CPU before comparing two prices.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.