Which CPU Is Better to pair With RTX 2060 without bottlneck?
After some insight i can say that Intel Core i5-12400 is the overall best CPU to pair with RTX 2060 to avoid bottleneck and different other performance issues.
Let’s go down for further details, why Intel Core i5-12400 is better for RTX 2060, and different other options available to get most out of this CPU.
The RTX 2060 is a powerful mid-range card capable of solid frame rates at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. While the GPU does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to rendering graphics, having a capable CPU is still essential to feed the card data and avoid bottlenecking.
We’ll look at top options from both Intel and AMD that offer great gaming performance without breaking the bank. Whichever CPU you choose, you’ll want at least 6 cores and 12 threads to keep up with the demands of modern games. Higher clock speeds are also recommended to deliver smooth performance.
Our Recommended list of the Best CPU for RTX 2060 (Intel, AMD, Gaming)
- Intel Core i5-12400 Desktop Processor : Best Overall CPU For RTX 2060
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X – Best AMD Processor For RTX 2060
- Intel Core i5-10400F Desktop Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 6-Core 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
- Intel Core i5-9600K Desktop Processor 6 Cores up to 4.6 GHz
1. Intel Core i5-12400 Desktop Processor
As we said earlier, the for Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card, the Intel Core i5-12400 is the best overall CPU choice to pair with it. With its powerful 6-core/12-thread performance, high clock speeds, and affordable price point, the i5-12400 delivers excellent 1080p and 1440p gaming that won’t bottleneck the RTX 2060.
Boasting a max turbo frequency of 4.4GHz, the i5-12400 provides snappy responsiveness and smooth gameplay. The 12th Gen Alder Lake architecture offers improved instructions per cycle compared to previous generations. This results in smoother frame pacing and reduced stuttering during graphics-intensive games.
The i5-12400’s 18MB of L3 cache improves overall system responsiveness by allowing quick access to frequently used data. This helps avoid CPU bottlenecks during scenes with lots of AI or physics calculations. The 600-series chipset also enables memory overclocking for extra performance.
With a 65W base power draw and 125W maximum power, the i5-12400 delivers powerful performance while remaining energy efficient. It has plenty of headroom to handle the demands of an RTX 2060 without excessive power draw or overheating.
Affordably priced under $200, the i5-12400 gives you great bang for your buck. It outperforms previous generation CPUs that cost much more. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 is even capable of basic 3D tasks if you ever need to troubleshoot your system without a discrete GPU.
The i5-12400’s blend of high clock speeds, cutting-edge architecture, and reasonable price make it a perfect match for the RTX 2060. Together they deliver an excellent 1080p and 1440p gaming experience in popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Call of Duty: Warzone. It’s the best value CPU to pair with an RTX 2060.
Pros
- Great value
- Excellent productivity
- Solid gaming performance
- Affordable price
Cons
- No overclocking
2. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X – Best AMD Processor For RTX 2060
Don’t like to pair an Intel CPU with RTX 2060? Try Ryzen 5 5600X to pair it with as its the best AMD processor for RTX 2060, and it should not bottleneck in most situations.
The Ryzen 5 5600X is a very fast 6-core/12-thread CPU based on AMD’s Zen 3 architecture. It has a base clock of 3.7GHz and can boost up to 4.6GHz. This is plenty of processing power for today’s games.
The 5600X excels at high framerates when paired with a mid-range GPU like the RTX 2060. In 1080p gaming, the 5600X can push the RTX 2060 to its full potential without being a bottleneck.
Even at higher 1440p resolutions, the 5600X is rarely the limiting factor. The RTX 2060 will hit its limit in demanding games before the 5600X bottlenecks it.
The 5600X has 32MB of fast L3 cache and decently high instruction per clock throughput, meaning it can feed data to the GPU quickly enough to prevent bottlenecks.
PCIe 4.0 support allows the 5600X to communicate with the RTX 2060 at high bandwidth to avoid interface bottlenecks.
So, the 6-core Ryzen 5 5600X is an excellent match for the RTX 2060 and should not bottleneck it significantly. You’ll be able to enjoy great 1080p and 1440p gaming performance with this combination.
3. Intel Core i5-10400F Desktop Processor
The Intel Core i5-10400F is an excellent value CPU that pairs very well with the RTX 2060 without bottlenecking it in most games.
With 6 cores, 12 threads, and a max boost clock of 4.3GHz, the i5-10400F has plenty of horsepower to handle today’s demanding games without slowing down the RTX 2060. Its 65W TDP leaves room for the GPU to flex its power in terms of framerates. Thermals and power draw will be very reasonable with this combo.
At 1080p resolution, the i5-10400F can push 100+ FPS consistently to match the RTX 2060’s capabilities in esports titles. It won’t be the bottleneck. Even at 1440p the i5-10400F rarely limits performance in most titles. The RTX 2060 hits its limit first in demanding graphical scenes before the CPU bottlenecks.
Lacking integrated graphics isn’t an issue since the RTX 2060 handles all graphical duties. This even helps save some money. 12MB of L3 cache and support for fast DDR4-2666 memory ensures the i5-10400F can feed data to the GPU quickly.
The 6-core i5-10400F has aged very well and offers great 1080p and 1440p gaming performance when paired with the RTX 2060 without bottlenecking it significantly. It’s an excellent value CPU to build a mid-range gaming rig. Just make sure you pair it with a Z490 or B560 motherboard to enable memory overclocking.
Pros
- Excellent gaming performance
- Low power consumption
- Reasonable price tag
- Impressive core amount
Cons
- The CPU cooler is required
4. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 6-Core 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
Another AMD processor that is perfectly compatible with RTX 2060 is AMD Ryzen 5 3600X. The 6-core/12-thread Ryzen 5 3600X provides fast performance for gaming, while the RTX 2060 handles up to 1440p gaming very well in modern titles. This is a balanced combination.
The 3600X has an unlocked multiplier so you can overclock it for extra performance. This helps push high frame rates if desired. PCIe 4.0 support – The Ryzen 3000 series CPUs support the newest PCIe 4.0 interface. This provides extra bandwidth for video cards like the RTX 2060.
The RTX 2060 GPU supports real-time ray tracing in games for enhanced graphics and immersion where implemented.
Sad, but fact that these AMD CPUs can’t power ray tracing.
The RTX 2060 can utilize NVIDIA’s DLSS 2.0 technology which uses AI to boost frame rates in supported games with minimal loss in image quality.
The Ryzen 5 3600X and RTX 2060 offer tremendous performance per dollar, delivering fast 1080p and 1440p gaming speeds at a reasonable price point.
Hence, the 3600X and 2060 combine fast 6-core performance with advanced graphics features at a mainstream price point. This makes them a very popular pairing for smooth high fidelity gaming.
5. Intel Core i5-9600K Desktop Processor 6 Cores up to 4.6 GHz
Wondering what Intel Core i5-9600K will perform when paired with an RTX 2060? Let’s find out.
The 6-core/6-thread i5-9600K provides very good gaming speeds, though it lacks hyperthreading compared to the Ryzen 5 3600X. Still, performance should be smooth for high frame rate 1080p gaming. Like the 3600X, the 9600K has an unlocked multiplier so you can overclock the CPU for extra performance if desired. This can help push frames rates higher.
The 9600K has Intel UHD 630 integrated graphics, allowing a basic display output without a discrete GPU. AMD’s 3600X lacks integrated graphics. Intel’s LGA1151 socket has been around for multiple generations so there’s a mature ecosystem of motherboards and support. AMD’s AM4 platform is also well established now.
The 9600K has a 95W TDP rating compared to the 3600X’s 95W. When combined with the RTX 2060, an Intel system may consume slightly less power. At 1080p, there are some games where the 9600K may offer slightly higher frame rates than the 3600X, though its lack of SMT can cause dips when streaming.
The 9600K and 2060 is a solid combination for 1080p gaming, though the AMD combo offers advantages like SMT and PCIe 4.0. Both can provide great experiences paired with an RTX 2060 GPU.
Here are some tips for picking the best processor to pair with the RTX 2060 GPU:
- For 1080p gaming, a modern 6-core CPU like Intel’s i5-9600K or AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 is recommended. These provide smooth performance and high frame rates.
- For 1440p gaming, you may want to step up to an 8-core CPU like the i7-9700K or Ryzen 7 3700X. The extra cores help provide consistent performance at higher resolutions.
- Overclockable CPUs like the i5-9600K and Ryzen 5 3600X give you extra performance headroom if you want to push past default clocks. This helps at lower resolutions.
- AMD Ryzen CPUs tend to be a better value, offering more threads per dollar. They are a good pairing for balancing price and performance.
- For high fps competitive esports gaming, Intel CPUs can offer slightly higher frame rates in some titles due to higher peak clocks.
- Make sure to get a CPU with adequate cooling. The RTX 2060 runs cool and quiet. Don’t mismatch it with a hot loud CPU cooler.
- Monitor CPU usage and frequencies to check for bottlenecks. If you see high sustained usage, a CPU upgrade may help.
- At reasonable resolutions, even budget quad core CPUs like the Ryzen 3 3100 or Core i3-10100 can potentially handle an RTX 2060 for 60+ fps.
In conclusion, modern 6-core and 8-core CPUs from Intel or AMD are recommended to get the most out of the RTX 2060. But you have lots of options depending on your budget and gaming goals.
FAQs
Yes, the 6-core/12-thread i7-8700 is more than capable of handling an RTX 2060 without bottlenecking it. The 8700 provides great gaming performance.
The RTX 2060 is considered a relatively well-balanced GPU that typically won’t be bottlenecked by most modern 6-core or 8-core CPUs. Only lower-end quad core CPUs might bottleneck it in some CPU-heavy games.
Yes, a modern 6-core i5 like the 9400F or 9600K can handle an RTX 2060 very well, providing smooth gaming at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. The i5 may be bottlenecked slightly in certain CPU intensive games though.
Absolutely. A Ryzen 5 like the 6-core 3600 or 3600X can run an RTX 2060 without issue. The extra threads from SMT help avoid bottlenecking. Overall performance will be great with this combination.