Besides, knowing your needs is also important. For instance, a demanding gamer may not need a higher number of cores, but a multitasking video editor might. So we’ve compiled five pairings to suit most people’s budget and needs. Feast your eyes!
Ryzen 5 3600 With MSI GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC
This is one of the best CPU and GPU combos for 1080p resolution at 60fps. It combines AMD’s latest Zen 2 platform with Nvidia’s solid mid-range graphics card giving you smooth 1080p resolution and excellent frame rates without breaking the bank.
The Ryzen 5 3600 boasts six cores and 12 threads for multitasking. The ‘ZEN2’ 7nm process allowed AMD a big leap forwards in clock speeds and overall performance. This CPU is quite capable of achieving high frame rates during action-packed titles as well as light-to-medium intensity productivity work. That’s why it makes for a great versatile CPU without diverting too much of your budget away from the GPU.
While Nvidia GTX 1660 Super doesn’t have the ray-tracing cores of the modern RTX 3000 series. It has NVidia’s NVENC streaming encoder. This means you can broadcast your video streams with nominal system overhead. It also transitioned the GPU to GDDR6 VRAM, giving you a performance boost that rendered the previous GTX 1660 Ti model outdated.
That said, the MSI Ventus SX OC is a solid AIB GTX 1660 Super option for 1080p performance at 60fps. It comes with two fans, a DisplayPort, 3 HDMI, and a reasonable price. You won’t get a better deal.
Buy CPU Here: Amazon
Buy GPU Here: Amazon
Intel i9-10900kf With RTX 3090
If you want no holds barred beast of a machine, look no further. This powerful combination supports both editing 4K videos and gameplays at very high refresh rates. In fact, you can even hit 8K performance at 60 fps resolution.
Intel’s i9-10900kf is a 10 core, 20 threats chip that doesn’t flinch on even the most demanding workloads. Featuring Intel’s Turbo Boost Max 3.0 tech, the unlocked 10th Gen Intel Core desktop processor is optimized for enthusiasts. It’s rather hard to cool down, though, so make sure you invest in a powerful water-based cooler to match the overclock speeds.
Similarly, the RTX 3080 trumps both 2080Ti and the Titan RTX on every major rendering benchmark. Its whopping 24GB VRAM has no match in the market at the moment. The only downside of this combination is its expensive cost, which may be too much for some users.
So whether you’re working with productivity software such as Adobe CS suite or playing the latest AAA titles, this combination offers a significant gain in overall performance. You can throw anything at this pair with confidence.
Buy CPU Here: Amazon
Buy GPU Here: Amazon
Intel Core i5-9600K With RX 5700 Xt
We have the best CPU and GPU Combo for 1080p @ 144 Hz Competitive Gaming in third place. Given adequate cooling and a Z390 board, this CPU chip should easily touch the 5Ghz mark. When you pair it with a high-end GPU like RX 5700 Xt that’s based on AMD’s latest RDNA architecture, expect 1080p (even higher) and 144 Hz frame rates in titles such as Fortnite and Overwatch to run as smooth as the wind. No exaggeration!
From a price point, Intel’s CPU offers a worse value than AMD flagships. That is because it has just 6 cores, no multi-threading, and a higher price tag. Despite these shortcomings, we believe competitiveness trumps value any day. The i5-9600K chip offers better performance in Esports rigs.
With it’s 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, the RX 5700 Xt makes for a worthy partner. For a little low performance (1080p @ 144fps), you can opt for The EVGA RTX 2060 ‘KO..’ However, RX 5700XT outperforms it in higher refresh rates, higher VRAM (8GB), better frame rates, resolution, as well as color depth for the next-gen displays. That combination can give you up to 8K resolution @ 60 Hz or even 5K at 120 Hz.
The XFX RX 5700 Xt supports HDMI 2.0b and a DisplayPort 1.4w, making it compatible with the latest gen of monitors. This pair will hold you back in mid to high-performance needs.
Buy CPU Here: Amazon
Buy GPU Here: Amazon
Ryzen 7 3700X with EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Super
When it comes to ultra-wide monitors, they take the regular load of 1440p resolution and crank it up a notch. Their rendering demands sit roughly halfway between 4K and QHD. So, CPU choice is less of a concern than picking the right GPU. And it’s actually the GPU that will test the depth of your pockets.
However, the Ryzen 7 3700X is a good choice offering ample performance in a value package. It has a 4.4 Max boost and comes with 8 cores, 16 processing threads for multi-threading your programs. That is more than enough for any ultra-wide monitor.
Coming back to the GPU, if you want max performance at this resolution, your options are limited. Of course, you can go for a range-topping option like the latest RTX 3000, but the GeForce RTX 2080 Super offers better value. It’s capable of achieving reasonable FPS @ 1440p ultrawide resolutions.
EVGA is a reputable name in the industry. Their RTX 2080 comes with real-time ray tracing, dual HDB fan, ample display ports, and a 3 years warranty. Therefore, the Ryzen 7 3700X with EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Super gives you the best CPU and GPU combo for 1440p ultra-wide gaming.
Buy CPU Here: Amazon
Buy GPU Here: Amazon
Intel Core i3-10100 with Asus GeForce GTX 1660 Super Overclocked
The recent COVID19 pandemic has skyrocketed GPU prices. So if you’re building a Gaming PC on a budget, this combination is for you. This combo lets you play at 1080p and 60fps at under the $600 range.
Intel’s Core Intel Core i3-10100 offers 4 cores and 8 threads just like its rival Ryzen 3 3100. However, it’s much cheaper. In fact, there’s a price difference of $80. We believe Hyperthreading in this series has made it an absolute screamer at this price point.
We can go with various GPU options, but we like GTX 1660 Super the most for 1080p gaming. It has more VRAM than its predecessor GTX 1650 and features more CUDA cores and 2 Gbps faster memory. With 8GB VRAM, you can turn your settings to the max and run the game in 60fps.
But that’s not all. The reason we love this little GPU is that it’s more power-efficient. At 125Watts, it’s more energy efficient than RX570. Is it a downside? No ray tracing. For the price, though, ASUS has got the best match for Intel Core i3-10100.
Buy CPU Here: Amazon
Buy GPU Here: Amazon
Buyer’s Guide – Getting the best CPU and GPU combo
Although CPU and GPU aren’t directly related, there can be some bottlenecks in performance. When choosing the right CPU GPU combination, keep these things in mind to get the most bang for the so-called buck.
Compatibility
Any software compatibility issues can be resolved with a systems upgrade. Hardware issues, on the other hand, can create a bottleneck. So if you’ve got a powerful CPU, make sure to pair an equally powerful graphics card with it for optimum performance. Generally, any GPU should fit your CPU as long as your motherboard has the right size slot and enough power supply.
Monitor Refresh Rate
In case your monitor has a triple-digit refresh rate, you should get a powerful CPU and GPU to utilize the potential fully. Conversely, if your monitor maxes out at 60 or 1080p, there’s no point paying the extra bucks. Otherwise, your high-end GPU will just push pixels quicker than the display can keep up. So what’s the point?
Power and Space
Does your case (and motherboard) has enough room for the CPU and GPU you’re considering? Secondly, can your power supply provide enough juice for your needs? You will also need the right type of power connectors, depending on the card.
Temperature
Both CPU and GPUs generate heat. You can go for an onboard cooling option in both cases, but such coolers are unreliable. Especially if you’re overclocking the CPU for 4k resolution (Yes, GPUs are also over-clockable (usually just 5-10% headroom at best), consider investing in a reliable cooler.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the best CPU and GPU combo is one that suits your needs and stays within your budget. While there are endless possibilities of combining these two components, the pandemic has taken a toll on GPU prices in particular. Therefore, these combinations give you the best value for the price you can spend. You can look for rebates (or used options) to save anywhere between $30 and $100. Besides, sometimes AAA games are also available with graphics cards. So, you can save an additional $70+ if you’re willing to wait for the right deal. That’s all for now. Thank you for reading!
