5 Best GPU for Ryzen 5 2600 of 2021 Reviews | Awesome Gaming Graphics at an Affordable Price

Written by Branton

Last updated Jun 14, 2021

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.

AT A GLANCE: Our Top 5 Picks for GPU for Ryzen 5 2600
  1. Best Overall: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
  2. Best Budget: XFX Radeon Fatboy RX 590
  3. Best for Overclocking: EVGA GeForce RTX 2070
  4. MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2060
  5. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC

Favorite GPU for Ryzen 5 2600 Comparison

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
Best Overallpcgh-table__imageNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
  • Excellent, steady frame rate
  • Clever cooling system
  • Razor-sharp graphics
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Best Budgetpcgh-table__imageXFX Radeon Fatboy RX 590
  • Optional overclocking
  • Quiet operation
  • Affordable
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Best for Overclockingpcgh-table__imageEVGA GeForce RTX 2070
  • Quiet operation
  • Exceptional performance
  • Easy to overclock
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pcgh-table__imageMSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2060
  • Fast, clear performance
  • Space-saving design
  • High-resolution
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pcgh-table__imageGigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC
  • Overclocked right out of the box
  • Reliable performance
  • Amazing price
VIEW ON AMAZON →

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

Editor's Rating: 4.9/5

Features: 

  • A nice upgrade from the GTX 1070, giving you faster performance

  • 1440p capabilities provide an unparalleled gaming experience

  • Exceptional overclocking for even better graphical power

  • Comes with Pascal architecture for phenomenal delivery

  • Well-balanced for smooth gaming enjoyment

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

Power Connectors

8-pin

Memory type

GDDR5

Memory clock

2432MHz

Memory size

8GB

CUDA Cores

2432

Outputs

3 Display Ports / 1 DVI / 1 HDMI

Overclocking is most excellent, too, allowing you to eke out every last ounce of graphical prowess. I ran several games in 1440p to see what this baby was capable of. I’m still trying to get my jaw off the floor.

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

  • Excellent, steady frame rate
  • Built for high-end gaming
  • Clever cooling system
  • Razor-sharp graphics

Cons

  • Gets hot fast

Editor's Rating: 4.8/5

Features: 

  • Cooling is exceptionally quiet

  • Both 1080p and 1440p perform well

  • Easy to tweak for a user-friendly design

  • Straightforward installation for quick use

  • 8GB of RAM for speedy delivery

XFX Radeon Fatboy RX 590

Header

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

  • Fast 1080p performance
  • Optional overclocking
  • Quiet operation
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Requires some tweaking to reduce heat

Editor's Rating: 4.7/5

Features: 

  • Incredible ray-tracing capabilities for enhanced gaming

  • High resolution for equally high FPS

  • 8GB for smoother performance

  • Five I/O for more connections

  • Two fans for better cooling

EVGA GeForce RTX 2070

Header

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

  • Easy to overclock
  • Exceptional performance
  • Stays cool under max load
  • Quiet operation

Cons

  • Missing lighting features

Editor's Rating: 4.7/5

Features: 

  • 1080p and 1440p for sharp, vibrant gameplay

  • 1710MHz boost clock ensures high-end games run smoothly

  • Those who like to tweak their GPU can overclock the RTX 2060

  • High VRAM for increased graphics power

  • Ray-tracing available for better performance

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MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2060

Header

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

  • Fast, clear performance
  • Space-saving design
  • High-resolution
  • Cools quietly

Cons

  • No VirtualLink option

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07NJPKZQG&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=websitepcgame 20&language=en USir?t=websitepcgame 20&language=en US&l=li3&o=1&a=B07NJPKZQG

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

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

  • Overclocked right out of the box
  • Reliable performance
  • Amazing price

Cons

  • No ray-tracing available

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?

You May Also Read - Review of SkyTech ArchAngel GTX 1050 Ti. Is it still worth it in 2020?

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