In terms of gaming, the GPU should be your biggest priority. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is what allows games to run smoothly.
A powerful GPU is mandatory if you have a Ryzen 5 3600 or 3600x processor since it does not have an integrated GPU. To get your expected gaming performance from the build, you must add the best GPU for Ryzen 5 3600x.
We often get asked about the best budget GPU for Ryzen 5 3600x. Considering how popular the Ryzen 5 3600x and its variant is, the question is expected. The best GPU to pair with Ryzen 5 3600X depends on your priorities and budget. On the market, there are far too many possibilities. It’s easy to get confused.
Fortunately for you, we’ve assembled all of the information you’ll need to make a wise decision when purchasing a GPU. The best budget graphics card for Ryzen 5 3600X was also evaluated and ranked. So, without further ado, let’s get down to business!
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Quick Summary
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Name
Specifications
Price
MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
Memory: 6GB GDRR6
Memory Speed: 8000 MHz
Weight: 1.47 pounds
XFX RX 5600 XT THICC II PRO
Memory: 6GB GDDR6
Memory Speed: Up to 1620 MHz
Weight: 2.2 pounds
ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
Memory: 8G GDDR6
Memory Speed: 2035 MHz
Weight: 15.8 ounces
Buying Guide of Purchasing GPU for Ryzen 5 3600X
You can go through this if you think you need a heads up before jumping in to buy the best GPU for AMD Ryzen 5 3600. Or you can skip to our best GPU review part right away!
#1 Graphics Card VRAM Capacity
VRAM or virtual memory capacity is a critical attribute of any graphics card. You should consider getting at least 6GB, preferably 8GB GPU for lag-free, smooth gameplay at 1080p.
If you want to further up your game like 2k or 4k resolution, you need monstrous GPUs with 12GB or more VRAM.
#2 Clock Speed
Another critical aspect of any GPU is its base and boosted clock speed. A higher clock speed will make a huge difference in frame rates.
Along with clock speed, you also need to focus on memory speed, core counts, and architecture. Same cards can have a difference in clock speeds due to their effective cooling system.
#3 CUDA Cores/ Stream Processors
The higher the number of CUDA cores or stream processors on a GPU, the greater the gaming performance. NVIDIA uses CUDA cores, while AMD uses stream processors.
A graphics card with a higher number of CUDA cores/ stream processors, on the other hand, does not necessarily imply that it is better than one with a smaller number. The generation and architecture of the GPU is the main factor here in terms of raw performance.
#4 TFLOPS/ GFLOPS
TFLOPS, aka trillions of floating-point operations per second, indicates any GPU’s maximum theoretical raw performance. It’s also known as GFLOPS, which stands for billions of FLOPS.
You can get the TFLOPS for a GPU by multiplying core count by the clock speed GHz and multiplying by two. TFLOPS decides how faster a chip will be than another chip.
#5 Memory Speed/ Bandwidth
Just like higher clock speed, faster memory can render one GPU faster than another.
The GTX 1650 GDDR6 is, for example, over 15% quicker than the GTX 1650 GDDR5. This is because GDDR6 has a much faster bandwidth than GDDR5.
#6 Form Factor
You should think about the GPU’s form factor before purchasing it. It is vital to make sure you have enough room for your GPU to install and still maintain the airflow. Congested builds result in higher temperature problems.
Graphics cards can be half-height, single-slot, dual-slot, and triple-slot. Usually, gaming GPU cards are full height and often take up to two or more expansion slots.
GPUs these days are bulkier and heavier due to massive heat sinks, cooling shrouds, and RGB options. So, you need to think of the size of the GPU when fitting it into your build.
#7 TDP/ Thermal Design Power
TDP, or Thermal Design Power, is a measurement of heat dissipation. You will also get an estimate of how many watts you will require to power your card.
Low-end cards are okay with a low-wattage PSU like 450 watts. Generally speaking, most decent GPUs require around 600 to 650 watt PSU. However, high-end cards with overclocking capability often need more than 1000 watt PSUs.
Coupling your GPU with a lower than recommended PSU will result in system instability and failure. That is why you might want to upgrade your PSU if you are getting a good GPU.
#8 Power Connectors
The X16 PCIe slot produces 75W, which is sufficient for most gaming GPUs.It is the standard maximum output.
PCIe power connectors come in 6-pin and 8-pin varieties. Most GPUs have these 6-pin and 8-pin ports to draw power from the PSU. If your PSU does not provide enough pins, you might have to get SATA or Molex power adapters.
4 Best GPUs for Ryzen 5 3600X
A GPU compatible with Ryzen 5 3600 and 3600X must meet some criteria. We do not want the CPU to bottleneck with the GPU.
After thorough research and evaluations, we have chosen our top picks of the best GPU for Ryzen 5 3600x. Here are our top picks!
#1 XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX
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Undoubtedly, the best budget GPU for Ryzen 5 3600X is the XFX Radeon RX580. With a fantastic price to performance ratio, this GPU leaves its competitors behind. So, it is for the people who are in search of reasonable yet good quality GPU. You can play any game at a stable high FPS with this card combined with a Ryzen 5 3600XF.
#2 MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
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If you are not looking for 2k or 4k gaming, NVIDIA GTX 1660Ti is a good choice for you within a limited budget. This GPU is powerful enough to provide you with a latency-free, high-quality gaming experience.
#3 XFX RX 5600 XT THICC II PRO
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RX5600XT is a worthy upgrade over RX580. If you can spare a bit of your budget, you can get this beautiful card. This gorgeous-looking card further adds to the aesthetic of any gaming PC. XFX ensures proper cooling so that the card can run at its maximum clock speed available.
#4 ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
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If you have got money to spare and will not stop at 1080p gaming, the ASUS ROG Strix RX 5700 XT is the ultimate choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ryzen 5 3600 vs. 3600X. Which one is better?
If we are talking about performance, Ryzen 5 3600 and 3600X both are identical. The 3600X has a slightly higher base clock speed. But these will provide you with almost the same performance.
The only thing that differs between these two processors is their cooling fan. Ryzen 5 3600 comes with a stealth non-RGB cooler, while Ryzen 5 3600X comes with an RGB wraith prism cooler.
Will a Ryzen 5 3600 bottleneck with an RX 580?
No, a Ryzen 5 3600 will not bottleneck with an RX 580. RX 580 is one of the most compatible GPUs for the Ryzen 5 3600.
Does using dual-GPU give a better experience?
Having a crossfire or SLI setup of dual GPUs is not worth the money. There is a significant improvement in gaming.
Instead, having a dual-GPU configuration will have a negative impact on gaming. It will lead to micro-stuttering, and sudden FPS drops.
Game On!
Building the dream gaming setup is often blocked by our limited technical knowledge. Many of us fail to comprehend the necessity of researching the parts of a gaming PC and end up having a bottle-necked, thermally unstable system. To prevent you from making the same mistake, we have gathered all the information you need to know while choosing your GPU.
The best GPU for Ryzen 5 3600x will depend on your choice and budget. Although considering all the factors, we recommend the RX 580 for Ryzen 5 3600X. It is packed with enough power to run all games at high settings in 1080P. The TDP of this card is comparatively low, and the price is sweet. Another good GPU for Ryzen 5 3600X is the RX 5700 XT if you are in for serious gaming. This card might be costly, but it packs a serious punch.
We certainly hope our assessment will not disappoint you. You can put your trust in us and get any of the GPUs we have mentioned above. According to your budget and priorities, these GPUs are perfect to couple with a Ryzen 5 3600 or 3600X.
Happy lag-free gaming, and best of luck!