These processors go great with NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 GPU
Best
CPU for NVIDIA RTX 3060
Windows Central
2021
The best CPUs to pair up with the NVIDIA RTX 3060 are modern options from AMD and Intel that won’t hold back the GPU. The RTX 3060 is ideal for gaming at 1080p and 1440p without overspending, and there is a wide range of CPUs that will pair up nicely depending on your budget and desired performance. We’ve rounded them up right here.
All-out Intel power:
Intel Core i9-12900K
Editor’s choice
All-out AMD power:
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Staff pick
Best value Intel:
Intel Core i7-12700K
Best value AMD:
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
Best affordable Intel:
Intel Core i5-12600K
Best affordable AMD:
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Your NVIDIA RTX 3060 PC build
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 excels at 1080p, but it can also handle 1440p gaming with relative ease. Basing a PC build around one of these GPUs is a favorite for many people who don’t want to spend obscene amounts of money; at least during times when the best graphics cards aren’t sold out everywhere or are being scalped for obscene prices. In any case, if you do have an RTX 3060, you want to be sure that your CPU can keep up.
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel Core i5-12600K will make the most sensical pairing for anyone who’s looking to keep things within an affordable price range. Though they don’t bring as much power as their pricier counterparts, they can still provide an awesome gaming experience. A lot of people say you don’t need more than this level of performance for gaming unless you’re an enthusiast or have other tasks in mind for the CPU.
If you’re searching for something with a bit more oomph, the Ryzen 7 5800X or Core i7-12700K should be great choices. They’re going to handle other tasks — especially those that require heavier multitasking performance — better, and they will crush gaming needs. They’re still relatively affordable, at least compared to the Ryzen 9 and Core i9 options.
The Ryzen 9 5950X and Core i9-12900K are expensive CPUs that will appeal mostly to enthusiasts with more of an overhead available in their budget. For most people these chips aren’t necessary, but they will deliver the best performance.
For those who opt for Intel’s 12th Gen “Alder Lake” CPUs, be sure you have a motherboard that can handle the new LGA 1700 socket. These new motherboards also bring support for PCIe 5.0 and either DDR4 or DDR5 RAM.
Our collections of the best motherboards for Core i5-12600K, best motherboards for Core i7-12700K, and best motherboards for Core i9-12900K can help you choose the right base for your build.
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