The story of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is a rather interesting one. It offers incredible performance and won’t break the bank. Processors simply aren’t supposed to work this well and be so affordable. And yet, here’s AMD, bucking the trend and delivering the goods where it matters the most.
- Best Overall: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
- Best Budget: XFX Radeon Fatboy RX 590
- Best for Overclocking: EVGA GeForce RTX 2070
- MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2060
- Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC
Favorite GPU for Ryzen 5 2600 Comparison
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
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Best Overall | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti |
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Best Budget | XFX Radeon Fatboy RX 590 |
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Best for Overclocking | EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 |
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MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2060 |
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Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC |
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How to Pick the Top GPU for Ryzen 5 2600
You want to get the most out of your shiny new processor, right? Well, for that, you need to invest in a quality GPU. And let me tell you this: in a sea of cheap rip-offs, it can be nothing short of a challenge finding the best GPU for Ryzen 5 2600.
Here shortly, I’m going to introduce you to what I feel are the best bangs for your proverbial buck. You certainly don’t have to go with my recommendations. But it’s important that you know what to look for so that you end up with a quality GPU.
Make sure your motherboard can first accept the GPU you’re considering. Then check to see if it comes equipped with HDMI ports (mini or otherwise).
Secondly, pay attention to clock speed. This translates to the GPU being able to draw graphics quickly, which of course you want in a graphics card. The higher, the better. It’s also important to check its shaders and CUDA cores.
These are the processes by which the GPU shades and lights objects. Shaders are AMD’s proprietary technology, while CUDA is NVIDIA’s. Once again, you want either of these to be high. This will help to ensure that resource-hungry games look and play better.
And lastly, a solid GPU is going to require less output from fans and cooling systems. Quieter is always better, and a gaming build that doesn’t make a lot of noise is going to be preferred.
Best GPU for Ryzen 2600 5 Reviews
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti is without question a best buy. Ryzen 5 2600 performs better when it has a quality GPU as its side. With the GTX 1070 Ti, you’re getting an amazing gaming experience.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti | Header |
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Power Connectors | 8-pin |
Memory type | GDDR5 |
Memory clock | 2432MHz |
Memory size | 8GB |
CUDA Cores | 2432 |
Outputs | 3 Display Ports / 1 DVI / 1 HDMI |
I haven’t seen anything quite like it. The GTX 1070 Ti is a rock star, pumping out a visual paradise of imagery with the same level of precision as Jimi Hendrix on his Fender Stratocaster. If you want unrivaled performance, you need this GPU.
Another big plus that plays a role in delivering high-end gaming is that there’s no noticeable bottlenecking. What you see is what you get, unless you’re inclined to overclock. Then you’re potentially looking at even better results.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
XFX Radeon Fatboy RX 590 | Header |
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Power Connectors | 8-pin / 6-pin |
Memory type | GDDR5 |
Memory clock | 8000MHz |
Memory size | 8GB |
Shaders | 2304 |
Outputs | 1 HDMI / 1 DVI |
The XFX Radeon Fatboy RX 590 is one snappy GPU for your Ryzen 5 2600 build. If you’re not concerned with overclocking and all that jazz, you’ll find this card to be more than acceptable. It arrives overclocked as it is, with speeds that are commendable.
It rocks games in 1080p like a champ, never faltering in its performance. I had zero issues when it came to installing the RX 590. I didn’t bother with tweaking settings, but later found out I should have.
You see, there’s pretty consistent heat that this unit puts out. It stays relatively hot throughout its operation, even though it has its own cooling system. After some fiddling, I discovered that you can switch cooling modes.
The increased fan speed helps to cut down on the heat considerably. But even then, it’s still hotter than premium GPUs. Of course, your mileage may vary. It’s important to note that there is a noticeable difference in sound when the fan is operating at its peak performance.
With that said, you may be inclined to invest in a separate cooling system if you’ve not already. This made a big difference for me, and likely will for you. Considering the RX 590’s rock-bottom price, this is a small caveat.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 | Header |
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Power Connectors | 8-pin / 6-pin |
Memory type | GDDR6 |
Memory clock | 14000MHz |
Memory size | 8GB |
CUDA Cores | 2304 |
Outputs | 3 Display Ports |
The EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 and the Ryzen 5 2600 are the perfect union. The two complement one another in ways that other graphics cards can’t compete. This is what the Ryzen 5 2600 was made for, and it’s nice to see it getting the backup it deserves.
The first thing that was evident to me was how stunning the resolution looked. I tested out 1440p to see what kind of chops I was working with. To my amazement, games blistered along at 60 frames per second – sometimes more!
If you’ve been looking for the best GPU for R5 2600 that will allow you to overclock, you will absolutely love what the RTX 2070 brings to the table.
You can increase your FPS by overlocking both the GPU and processor. Just be aware that you’re going to want a solid cooling unit at the ready.
The RTX 2070 tends to get a little warm when it’s pumping out quality graphics. But it’s nothing a good fan won’t fix. The extra expense is well worth the end results.
Games are sharp and displayed accurately, offering a level of clarity that makes this card worth every penny. Sure, it’s a little pricey. But where else are you going to find such a highly-compatible GPU that’s this easy to overclock?
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Editor's Rating: 4.7/5
MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2060 | Header |
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Power Connectors | 8-pin |
Memory type | GDDR6 |
Base clock | 1365 MHz |
Memory size | 6GB |
CUDA Cores | 1920 |
Outputs | 1 HDMI / 3 Display Ports |
What an impressive little unit. I have to tell you, the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2060 knocked my socks off with its ability to deliver fluid, high-end gaming.
Images look absolutely incredible thanks to its 1080p and 1440p resolution. If you’re tired of struggling to run top-of-the-line games, the RTX 2060 will put a stop to your woes. It’s a beast of a GPU, and is quite possibly the best graphics card for Ryzen 5 2600.
If you’re a mid- to high-end gamer, you’ll appreciate the steady frame rate on deck here. Resource-heavy games run like a top, providing you with excellent playback that never disappoints.
The only potential downside is a lack of a VirtualLink port. Thankfully, VR headsets aren’t the norm, so this won’t affect too many people. But it’s still a feature that would have been nice for future investments.
VirtualLink aside, the RTX 2060 is pound-for-pound one the best Ryzen-compatible GPUs you’ll find. It performs remarkably well and isn’t likely to disappoint even the most ardent of gamers.
You can also look forward to quiet performance. There’s no annoying whirring or buzzing to interfere with your gaming experience.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Editor's Rating: 4.6/5
Features:
- Smooth, steady performance allows for a hassle-free experience
- High frame rate on high-end games gives you more choice
- Overclocking can enhance even your best-running games
- Exceptional compatibility with Ryzen 5 2600
- WindForce cooling is quiet as a mouse
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC | Header |
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Thermal Design Power | 120-watt |
Memory type | GDDR6 |
Memory clock | 12000MHz |
Memory size | 6GB |
CUDA Cores | 1536 |
Outputs | 3 Display Ports / 1 HDMI |
The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC is quite possibly the best GPU for Ryzen 5 2600 when it comes to cooling. Armed with a WindForce cooling system, you never have to worry about heat, even at full load.
And when you see the graphical wherewithal of the GTX 1660 Ti, you’ll want to display them in all their glory. Thankfully, that’s not a problem for this mighty GPU. You’re getting high-performance frame rates that never stutter or bog down.
It’s an impressive card, to say the least. It steadily pumps out clear, 1080p imagery at a fast clip of 60 FPS or more. No matter what kind of game I threw at it, the GTX 1060 Ti handled it without so much as a hiccup.
And believe me, I ran it through its paces to see if it struggled. What’s even more amazing is that with a little tweaking or overclocking, you can see even greater rates.
This card works wonders when combined with the Ryzen 5 2600. The two complement one another very well. What’s even more incredible is that you can now the GTX 1060 Ti for a respectable price.
It has seen quite the decrease in recent months. So if you see it out in the wild, you’d do well to nab while you can.
The only drawback to this remarkable card is its lack of ray-tracing. While this isn’t a deal-breaker, you will notice a slight difference in some 3D games. But considering the low price point, this is only a small issue to deal with.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Does Ryzen 5 2600 Need a GPU?
Unlike some other processors, the Ryzen 5 2600 does not include its own GPU. This is why it’s so important to invest in a rock-solid GPU for it.
Short for Graphics Processing Unit, a GPU is part of your graphics card that enables you to see pretty images on your screen. Every computer has them, and every computer requires them.
It is essentially the graphics card’s processor – it takes care of mathematical calculations to bring your games to life in quick fashion.
As you can see, you’re not going to be able to enjoy your Ryzen 5 2600 until you get a GPU for it. If you’re building a new system, you’ll need this just to use your build.
Is the Ryzen 5 2600 Good for Gaming?
Without question. In fact, it’s one of the best processors you can get your hands on. It boasts an excellent core-count and allows you to play a wider range of games. But of course in order to do this, you’re going to need an equally great compatible GPU for Ryzen 5 2600.
I’ve found the Ryzen 5 2600 to provide more than what I actually need in gaming. But let’s be real here. When it’s the same price or cheaper than competing models, why wouldn’t I invest in it?
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