Best CPUs For RTX 3060 (AMD, Intel, Cheap, Budget, Gaming)

Just bought your latest Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card? Here are our recommendations for the best cpu for rtx 3060. The central processing unit, or processor, is the very heart of every computer, whether it’s a desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, or anything else device type.

But how important is a processor in a PC gamer?

In this article, we’ll walk you through a selection of the best processors for gaming with rtx 3060 graphics card in 2021, along with a short guide that will answer some common questions and help you choose the best processor for your needs.

Without further ado, here are the best processors compatible with rtx 3060 gpus gaming today.

If you are building a gaming PC setup but your budget is tight, there are always more affordable processors on the market that would work well for those who don’t have a lot of money to spend on a processor or the PC as a whole. 

Finally, we come to the more powerful high-end solutions that are not only powerful enough to run the most powerful best graphics cards, but also deliver even better performance for those who intend to use their PCs for some professional applications, rather than just playing.

List of best cpu for rtx 3060

1. AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (Overall Best Processor For RTX 3060)
2. AMD Ryzen 5 3400G (Best AMD CPU for RTX 3060)
3. Intel Core i3-10100 (Best Intel CPU for RTX 3060)
4. Intel i5-9600KF (Best Cheap CPU For RTX 3060)
5. AMD Ryzen 3 3300X (Best Gaming CPU for RTX 3060)
6. AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
7. Intel Core i5-10600K
8. AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
9. Intel Core i7-10700K
10. Intel i9-9900K
11. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

1. AMD Ryzen 3 3200G

The Ryzen 3 3200G is based on the Zen + 12nm architecture that the 2nd gen Ryzen CPUs used, so it’s not quite on par with the latest Zen 2 7nm CPUs. Still, for such an affordable APU, it has a lot of the basics covered.

It only has four cores and no multithreading , which is a bit of a drawback in a processor in 2021. It nevertheless makes up for it with the Vega graphics cores mentioned above, which easily make all of Intel’s integrated graphics solutions go away. Still, it can’t come close to the performance of a dedicated GPU, so it’s really only an option for eSports or other less demanding games.

Plus, like all other Ryzen CPUs and APUs, it’s unlocked, and a stock fan comes with the CPU. In this case, it’s the Wraith Stealth , a compact and quiet fan that should be able to meet your performance requirements.

However, a skilled person knows nothing, and this is especially true when it comes to budget-friendly processors. All four cores will inevitably be strained by modern games, and the now outdated architecture makes this a somewhat dubious long-term investment.

Still, the Ryzen 3 3200G is the perfect solution for gamers who aren’t overly ambitious when it comes to performance. If you’re in that group, this APU and its excellent built-in graphics might well be worth the investment.

Specifications

2. AMD Ryzen 5 3400G

There isn’t much to say about the Ryzen 5 3400G other than that it is a slightly better and slightly more expensive version of the Ryzen 3 3200G that is sure to attract attention. Gamers who plan to build a budget gaming PC without a dedicated GPU.

The three additional Vega graphics cores don’t allow for too much of a performance jump, but they can help smooth out the frame rate in some of the more demanding games, potentially allowing you to run less demanding games at lower graphics settings. higher without having to suffer a big performance blow.

Now everything we’ve said about the 3200G above applies to the 3400G mostly – it offers good performance for the price, it’s budget-friendly, and has some of the best integrated graphics yet. However, we would say that the value it offers is not as good as we believe the increase in price is significantly greater than the increase in graphics performance and overall processing power provided by multithreading.

That said, just like the 3200G, the 3400G would be perfect for those on a tight budget who are building a gaming PC without a dedicated graphics card. However, the Ryzen 3 3200G still offers better value for money and if you can afford to add a dedicated GPU to your build then there are definitely better CPUs out there.

Specifications

3. Intel Core i3-10100

As mentioned above, the i3-10100 is part of the latest generation of Intel processors, also known as Comet Lake-S.

And while they still lag behind when it comes to lithography (based on a 14nm process as opposed to the 7nm process that the Zen 2 processors are based on), Comet Lake-S processors are quite thrifty. in energy and they can finally compete with Ryzen now that they all have hyperthreading .

Compared to AMD’s more affordable APUs, the i3-10100 simply leaves them in the dust, as it’s roughly the performance equivalent of the Ryzen 3 3300X. As you can see, the two processors have a lot of similarities on paper, although the Ryzen 3 3300X tends to perform a bit better in games.

Compared to its Ryzen counterpart, however, Intel’s Core i3-10100 does not support overclocking. Like most of Intel’s more affordable offerings over the years, the i3-10100 doesn’t have an unlocked multiplier, but as mentioned above, it’s unlikely to top your priority list when you buy a cheap processor.

Another minor advantage of the i3-10100 over the competition is that it also has a built-in graphics solution, although Intel UHD 630 graphics cards are mostly useful as a kind of backup that is good to have but not really important.

Now, while the two processors are more or less on par in terms of performance, a notable reason you might want to choose Intel is that they just released their LGA1200 socket when AMD plans to replace the AM4 socket with the AM5 next year.

That said, you could potentially save money on a future upgrade if you choose Intel , although it remains to be seen how they handle socket and chip compatibility and whether it will be better than with the LGA1151.

Specifications

4. Intel i5-9600KF

For midrange processors, the value of this i5-9600KF is virtually unbeatable .

This is the latest generation of processors from Intel and could be a big budget upgrade for some thanks to its higher core count! This chip has similar performance to the latest generation of Intel’s i7, especially the 8700K. While it can’t compete with Ryzen chips when it comes to multitasking, its single-core performance is brilliant for gaming .

The clock rate starts at 3.7 GHz, but can be increased to 4.6 GHz on all cores. The pulse rate of the heart can reach 4.9 GHz which is fantastic for gaming. It comes with six cores and is part of the K series, which also makes it unlocked for overclocking. It has an above average TDP, so overclocking should be approached with adequate cooling in mind.

Overall, this processor is arguably one of the best mid-range CPUs available and won’t disappoint when it comes to gaming performance.

Specifications

5. AMD Ryzen 3 3300X

So what is it that makes the Ryzen 3 3300X such an attractive buy?

Well, for starters, it’s equipped with multithreading, which was not the case with the first and second generation Ryzen 3 CPUs. Of course, that gives it an edge over its predecessors, but it also performs a lot better than the more expensive Ryzen 5 3400G.

With its higher processing power, the Ryzen 3 3300X could use the resources of a dedicated graphics card better than either of the aforementioned APUs could. So while the 3400G is still the best choice if you want to rely exclusively on integrated graphics, the 3300X is the much better option if you are on a budget but want to add a graphics card to your build as well.

Also, as mentioned above, the Ryzen 3 3300X is actually cheaper than the 3400G. And while the included Wraith Stealth fan leaves something to be desired, it’s still more economical than Intel’s fans, so we’d say that’s still a plus.

Ultimately, we would say the Ryzen 3 3300X is the best budget gaming processor available today , for all of the reasons mentioned above. Quite simply, it has everything you can reasonably expect from a budget CPU and offers great value for its current price, so you can see why it’s our top pick at the moment. It’s true that there isn’t a ton of headroom for overclocking, but if you’re going for a budget CPU, overclocking probably won’t be a big deal for you.

Specifications

6. AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT

At the heart of the Ryzen 5 3600XT is everything that has made the reputation of the Ryzen range since its release: a high number of cores and threads, excellent multithreaded performance, overclocking support and a good stock fan.

Like the rest of the Ryzen 3000 series, the 3600XT is based on the 7nm Zen 2 architecture, so it is quite energy efficient, although it presents questionable value at the moment, considering that the Ryzen models 4000. Either way, the next CPU is unlikely to offer a significant performance boost, so if you need a new CPU / PC right away, your best bet is to go with the 3600XT.

Overall, with its current price / performance ratio and the excellent Wraith Spire v2 fan, the Ryzen 3600XT would be a good buy, especially if you put value first.

Specifications

7. Intel Core i5-10600K

At first glance, the Intel core i5-10600K seems fairly well suited to the Ryzen 5 3600XT, although the Intel processor has the advantage of higher clock rates and better overclocking performance , which helps it to get ahead. the 3600XT, although that also makes it more power hungry.

However, more raw performance doesn’t necessarily mean better value, and that is certainly true in this case. Not only is the i5-10600K a bit more expensive than the Ryzen 5 3600XT, but unlike its competitor AMD, it doesn’t come with a fan . So you would have to buy a fan separately and spend a lot of money to buy it if you really want to take advantage of the CPU’s overclocking capabilities.

That said, it is obvious that the Intel Core i5-10600K will no doubt appeal to those looking for the best possible performance in this price range, provided they are willing to pay a little more.

By the way, as before, it might also be a better choice for those who want something more future proof, as Intel has only just introduced the LGA1200 socket and AMD will replace the AM4 with the AM5. next year.

Specifications

8. AMD Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X doesn’t really stand out from the Ryzen 5 3600XT, as they are both based on the same architecture and offer similar gaming performance, although the extra cores and threads ultimately give the 3700X the edge when it comes to gaming. multithreaded tasks.

Much like the Ryzen 5 3600XT, this processor comes with a fan in the box, but this time around it’s the Wraith Prism that’s even better – it offers better cooling efficiency, runs quieter, and is equipped with RGB lighting , which is a big plus if you are an RGB fan or have a translucent housing and want to give your build a pop of color.

Ultimately, what makes the Ryzen 7 3700X really worth buying in 2021 is also the fact that it has received a price cut and is currently cheaper . That’s a good deal, especially considering the fact that the Ryzen 7 3800XT is much more expensive, while still offering minimal performance gain and no cooler.

Of course, the Ryzen 7 3700X isn’t perfect either. Core performance remains lower than Intel’s, and it doesn’t allow a lot of overclocking headroom, although it’s still remarkably cheap at its current price. So if you want an octa-core processor with 16 threads for under $ 400, you better get this one quickly while the price is low.

Specifications

9. Intel Core i7-10700K

If we compare the i7-10700K to the Ryzen 7 3700X , the situation is more or less the same as with their mid-range counterparts: they have the same number of cores and threads and the Ryzen is slightly more fuel efficient. energy, but the Intel processor has a clear lead in most categories.

The first thing you will notice is that the clock can be pushed past 5 GHz, which is impressive to say the least, and ultimately allows this processor to offer much better single-core performance. than similarly priced Ryzen models can handle .

That said, the i7-10700K is a real powerhouse, as long as you pair it with a fan that will allow you to exploit its full potential. Again, it doesn’t come with a fan in the box, but it’s probably best this way, as you’ll likely need to get a spare fan anyway if you’re planning on overclocking the CPU.

Overall, this is a very impressive processor that keeps up with the competition in terms of multithreaded performance while outperforming it when it comes to single-core tasks. It offers very impressive leeway when it comes to overclocking and is very scalable . So it’s worth thinking about it if you’re willing to spend a bit more.

Specifications

10. Intel i9-9900K

When you consider the sheer performance of gaming, the Intel Core i9-9900K is widely regarded as the king of gaming processors , and despite its steep price tag, it is good value for money. Although the i9-9900K has fewer cores than AMD’s new Ryzen chips and Intel’s X-series, this mainstream processor from Intel has one of the highest clock rates from manufacturers and is free of charge. undoubtedly the fastest for the LGA1151 socket.

It comes off the shelves with an impressive clock rate of 3.6 GHz (all cores combined), but can be upgraded to 5 GHz for increased performance . When it comes to single-core performance, the i9-9900K is one of the most prolific, which makes it extremely good for gaming.

The i9-9900K is part of the K series, which, as we touched on above, is Intel’s line of unlocked / overclockable processors. Unlike most Ryzen chips, you can get extra performance from this processor if you have the right configuration to do so. This processor performs great right out of the box, which means you’ll need a CPU cooler powerful enough to keep the time stable.

Overall, the Intel i9-9900K is a superb processor that should be able to handle just about anything you have to offer it. While not as good as the latest Ryzen chip (the 3900X) for multitasking, it will still be more than capable of handling most multitasking scenarios.

Specifications

11. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

AMD’s Ryzen 9 3900x is just below Intel’s new 10900K when it comes to gaming performance, which I didn’t expect to say 12 months ago.

Historically, Intel has always been the number one when it comes to gaming processors, although thanks to recent advancements in AMD’s processor line (Ryzen 3000 series), the gap between the two great powers has been bridged. exponential .

The 3900x is Ryzen’s current flagship processor (unless you count the very expensive 3950x), and it’s coming to the table with some very impressive performance stats. For starters, it boasts an impressive 60% increase in performance over the i9 for non-gaming tasks . We crowned the 3900X as the best AMD processor because it outperforms its competition in multitasking scenarios such as encoding, rendering, and streaming – while still being much better value than the more powerful 3950X.

The 3900X achieves this high level of performance with a 12-core / 24-thread design, which operates at a constant frequency of 3.8 GHz right out of the box. It can be boosted to 4.6 GHz thanks to AMD’s PBO for additional performance.

Specifications

Ultimately, the 3900X is an extremely impressive processor that delivers impressive performance across the board. If you’re looking for the best all-rounder, look no further.

Conclusion

And now, with all of that in mind, it’s time to pick our winners!

Of course, as preferences and budget constraints differ from person to person, there is no better “one-size-fits-all” processor, which is why we picked three, one from each category.

For the best budget choice , we picked the Ryzen 3 3300X , simply because it offers good performance at a good price, and there isn’t much more you could ask for. a budget processor. Of course, the Ryzen 3 3200G also remains our top choice if you’re trying to get the cheapest gaming PC possible, without buying a dedicated graphics card.

As for the processor that offers the best bang for the buck , this title should go to the Ryzen 5 3600XT . It has 6 cores and 12 threads and delivers the kind of performance that would be more than enough in most versions, not to mention the fact that it compares to similarly priced Intel processors (and even some more expensive processors), all by coming with a good original fan, which will save you a few bucks which you can then use to improve another aspect of your version.

Finally, if we are talking about raw performance , the best choice would undoubtedly be the Intel i7-10700K core . It is arguably the most powerful processor on this list, and while it is not the most powerful of the mainstream desktop processors currently available on the market, it is certainly the most powerful processor that deserves. to be taken into consideration for a gamer configuration.

Ultimately, however, you can rest assured that any of the processors listed here will turn out to be a good buy , as long as you keep your needs and their capabilities in mind.