In search of a graphics card that can be paired with AMD Ryzen 5? It doesn’t matter what your performance requirements are, whether you want a fast GPU to take care of high-end computing applications or want a budget-friendly card that won’t create a bottleneck for Ryzen 5, you’ll find one by end of this post.
You should know that a graphic card’s capabilities and performance shall not be determined by the technical specifications of the GPU. Also, you should know that the high-end GPUs aren’t necessarily the best fit, period.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 can be paired with any graphics card, it’s crucial to first assess your requirements. Keeping these & other factors in mind, I recently tested 12 GPUs that work with AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 processor and conducted tests on them in different games, resolutions, settings, and non-gaming activities.
Contents
- 6 Best GPUs for AMD Ryzen 5 3600 in 2024
- 1. Best Overall: ASUS TUF NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- 2. Best Runner-Up: Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
- 3. Best Dual Fan GPU: ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge
- 4. Best Mid-Range GPU: PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6600
- 5. Best Low Profile GPU: PNY GeForce GTX 1650
- 6. Cheapest Option: XFX Radeon RX 580
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
6 Best GPUs for AMD Ryzen 5 3600 in 2024
It is easy to churn out the flagship graphics cards that won’t go wrong with Ryzen 5 3600. But that does not cater to a bigger user base that is often in a dilemma of whether to splash the cash or opt for older GPUs which are often available at great discounts.
There is a fair representation of near flagship GPUs, mid-range and entry-level GPUs. So whether you want an all-in-one graphics card or want a dual GPU setup, I have got you covered. Let us get straight into it.
1. Best Overall: ASUS TUF NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- GPU Architecture: Nvidia Ampere
- Memory: 12GB GDDR6
- GPU Clock Speed: 1725 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0
- Cooling: Axial-tech
- PSU Requirement: 650 Watts
The GeForce RTX 3060 OC Edition is based on NVIDIA’s proven Ampere architecture. The TUF specifically is known for its strong build and durability. ASUS claims that they run this lineup under intense testing sessions to ensure that the high-quality components they used are offering that reliability to the users.
Performance
On the inside, it gets NVIDIA’s real-time ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) which is an AI-empowered technology that enhances real-life-like graphics for games that support it. It also gets ASUS’s GPU Tweak II which has many improvements over its previous versions.
Gaming Experience
In terms of gaming, the RTX 3060 delivers smooth gameplay and high frame rates in modern games, even at high resolutions. It is capable of running demanding AAA titles at 1080p and 1440p resolutions with high graphics settings.
This combination of ray tracing and DLSS allows for stunning visual effects, realistic lighting, and improved overall gaming performance.
Design & Warranty
To ensure long-term stability at least in terms of its mounting and build, ASUS offers a reinforced plate, a protective backplate, and IP5X-certified dust resistance. These features speak volumes about the superior build quality.
In terms of cooling, the bundled cooler does a good job of keeping the temperatures down with the help of a large heatsink and multiple heat pipes. The dual axial-tech fans with dual bearing setup keep the decibels down and offer proper ventilation.
What’s unique here is that the two side fans in a triple fan setup spin counterclockwise to reduce turbulence and create better airflow.
In connectivity, it gets three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs and disappointingly just one HDMI output. You do get the VR support but cutting down on an HDMI port may not be the best idea here as we still have many output devices supporting the HDMI.
The TUF series is renowned for its durable build and high performance, featuring 38 RT cores and 4864 CUDA cores. It includes subtle RGB lighting, controlled with Aura Sync in Asus’s Armoury Crate.
The enhanced variant adds an extra HDMI 2.1 output, allowing easy connections for both a monitor/TV and a VR headset simultaneously. A standard 3-year warranty is included.
Conclusion
ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 3060 is the best graphics card for Ryzen 5 3600. It strikes the perfect balance between durability, performance, and cooling. With NVIDIA’s DLSS & ray tracing, and ASUS’s GPU Tweak II software, it readily delivers.
Pros
- Strong build quality
- Ray tracing and DLSS
- Larger heatsink with large fin stack patterned heat pipes
Cons
- Only 1 HDMI port
- Power consumption
2. Best Runner-Up: Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
- GPU Architecture: RDNA 2
- Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- GPU Clock Speed: 2607 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0
- Cooling: Dual-X Dual-fan
- PSU Requirement: 500 Watts
Based on AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, the Radeon RX 6600 XT offers great performance with decent power efficiency. Its availability could become one of its only few drawbacks because of how well it is priced. But if you find it, you won’t go wrong with it.
Performance
It manages to cap its TDP to 160W despite being a modest 23 MHz factory overclocked GPU. This of course means that it consumes comparatively less energy even on high performance. Sapphire makes up for the lack of premium hardware with their much-talked-about “Trixx Boost” software.
Gaming Experience
It is essentially a visual enhancement program that when coupled with AMD’s Radeon Image Sharpening technology produces great 1440p gaming performances. You get some extra frames when you activate Trixx Boost. The GPU offers great 1080p and 1440p performances with the help of this feature.
In terms of features, Sapphire’s Nitro+ RX 6600 XT gets AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) , which is a technology to scale up images without compromising its quality. AMD’s infinity cache technology, as iterated earlier helps the game play at maximum resolution.
Design & Warranty
The Nitro+ has more features than the 6600 XT & 6600 XT Pulse. The Nitro+ variant has higher factory overclocking, a better heatsink, and some advancement in the cooling like wave-edged aluminum fins in the cooler & fans with webbed impellers.
In terms of appearance, the Nitro+ also gets a silver back plate, an addressable RGB LED logo of Sapphire, and an ARGB header which allows you to sync your lighting to that of the GPUs.
In terms of connectivity, it spots standard DisplayPort and HDMI which can accommodate high-res output devices, multiple monitors, and even VR headsets.
The WAVE Fin Design on Sapphire Technology Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT minimizes wind resistance as it enters the fin module, leading to a decrease in wind cut noise. AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture enables this GPU to consume power efficiently and achieve incredibly high clock speeds.
The Pulse RX 6600 XT features a straightforward, all-black design with red Pulse and Radeon branding, but it lacks RGB LEDs, swappable fans, or a dual-BIOS switch. Despite the simplicity, the aesthetic should complement most gaming PCs.
The aluminum backplate adds a touch of elegance, and the black plastic shroud includes subtle texturing for a more appealing appearance.
Conclusion
Overall, Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 6600 X is a very good Ryzen 5 3600 GPU pair. It is very hard to get into your cart given its aggressive price range. It has some of the best aesthetic customization options in this price range which is very popular among gamers.
Pros
- Aesthetics customization
- Efficient cooling
- Attractive pricing
Cons
- Availability
- Limited VRAM
3. Best Dual Fan GPU: ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge
- GPU Architecture: NVIDIA Ampere
- Memory: 12GB GDDR6
- GPU Clock Speed: 1777 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0
- Cooling: IceStorm 2.0
- PSU Requirement: 600 Watts
With the RTX 3060, NVIDIA aimed to serve both gamers as well as cryptocurrency miners. The harsh rate limiter in the 3060, which stops the GPU from operating at its full capacity during something like mining, pretty much explains the same. This one from ZOTAC is probably the cheapest graphics card built on the Ampere architecture.
Performance
It bags 12 GB of GDDR6 RAM even at a below $300 mark price point. But the larger memory comes with a slightly above average 192-bit bus resulting in a slimmer bandwidth compared to some other GPUs built on Ampere.
Gaming Experience
It gets NVIDIA’s DLSS & ray tracing. These features coupled with the hardware capabilities of the ZOTAC RTX 3060 allow you to have a smooth cruise through most games in 1080p and 1440p resolution. It is the 4K gaming where the cost-saving factors like a smaller bus and slimmer bandwidth come into the picture.
Design & Warranty
On the outside, it has a smaller form factor which makes it a good choice for those wanting an upgrade on an existing smaller case. The smaller form factor also helps in maintaining a better airflow which results in minimal fan operation & the overall system becoming more energy efficient.
Speaking of the cooling system, the RTX 3060 from ZOTAC comes with the manufacturer’s IceStorm 2.0 cooling setup. It combines a large heatsink with multiple heating pipes and a dual fan setup for heat dissipation. The cooling performance is adequate under most circumstances. The fans are efficient and relatively quiet.
This GPU also comes with standard software from ZOTAC called FireStorm which allows users to monitor and alter various important settings of the graphics card like adjusting the clock speeds, setting up fan profiles and managing RGB aesthetics.
The ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC is constructed using NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture. Equipped with improved RT Cores, Tensor Cores, new streaming multiprocessors, and high-speed GDDR6 memory, this GPU delivers an elevated gaming experience with exceptional realism and fidelity.
The design emphasizes durability by incorporating a metal backplate that enhances the overall sturdiness of the card. Combined with a subtle white LED logo lighting for an inconspicuous appearance and ambiance.
ZOTAC offers a standard 3 year manufacturer’s warranty on this GPU which can be further extended for another couple of years.
Conclusion
Overall it’s a great dual fan AMD Ryzen 5 3500 compatible GPU below $300. As things stand, very few games need larger buffering memory bandwidth for the 4K performances but going into the future, 4K may become normal in which case you’ll need another upgrade.
Pros
- Small form factors allows more airflow
- Efficient and silent cooling
- Pricing
- Good 1080p and 1440p performance
Cons
- Not the best 4K performance
- The unusual white color may not appeal to everyone
4. Best Mid-Range GPU: PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6600
- GPU Architecture: RDNA 2
- Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- GPU Clock Speed: 2044 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 4.0
- Cooling: Dual Fan
- PSU Requirement: 450 Watts
The Radeon RX 6600 is the non-XT version of the previously launched GPU by AMD. One of the first major differences between the XT and the non-XT variants is in the core counts which are reduced from 2048 to 1792. Everything from the silicon to cache and VRAM (including the 128-bit bus) remains the same as the XT.
Performance
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6600 is also equipped with AMD’s latest FidelityFX (FSR) which is a technology for scaling up your frames in real time. This comes in handy when there is a slight dip in performance with the ray tracing. You get a few extra FPS with minimal damage to the image quality.
Gaming Experience
The RX 6600 offers great full HD gaming. 1080p at 620 FPS is its best bet. It’s not that it can’t perform at 1440p or at 4K but you’ll see it overworked for prolonged gaming at 1440p or higher. One of the biggest reasons for that is a limited L3 cache.
Design & Warranty
The cooling is efficient and has a 0db (silent) mode which turns the 90mm fans off below 60°C. The fan is set up on a dual bearing technology which gives it a long life. The heat pipes are in direct contact of the surface (without a backplate though) of the GPU which helps in faster heat dissipation.
This GPU has one of the lowest TDPs in our list with 132W. You need a smaller PSU (around 450W) to power this GPU. That saves a lot of money upfront as well as in terms of the power consumption.
The PowerColor Fighter Radeon™ RX 6600 graphics card is built on the AMD RDNA™ 2 architecture and boasts 28 Compute Units, 32 MB of AMD Infinity Cache, and 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. This carefully designed GPU aims to achieve incredibly high frame rates and deliver an exceptional gaming experience at 1080p resolution.
The aesthetical aspect is debatable as the GPU comes in an all-black avatar with no RBG. It is safe to say that gamers are more likely to find this look a bit too simple.
Conclusion
With the fluctuating prices due to the supply chain, the XT variants tend to sell out quicker than the non-XT variants of the RX 6600. But the trade-offs are not that big when you think of it. It has a low TDP and a very efficient cooling setup which gives it longevity. If you are an intermediate or beginner in gaming then this could be a real bargain for you.
Pros
- Efficient and silent cooling
- Low TDP and energy consumption
- Pricing
Cons
- Smaller VRAM
- No backplate
5. Best Low Profile GPU: PNY GeForce GTX 1650
- GPU Architecture: Turing
- Memory: 4GB GDDR6
- GPU Clock Speed: 1410 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 3.0
- Cooling: AMD Reference Design
- PSU Requirement: 300 Watts
The PNY GeForce GTX 1650 is a budget GPU to pair with AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600. It is ideal for entry-level gamers who are always looking for a GPU that is light on the pocket and delivers adequate performance at the same time.
Performance
There is an upside to having moderate specifications and that is a low thermal footprint. This GPU has a TDP of merely 75W making it the most energy efficient graphics card out there. All of its power is pulled through the PCIe slot. That obviously plays a big role in electricity bills.
Not requiring external power is only one of its advantages. It is also quite lightweight and very compact in its dimensions. This makes the installation and mounting very easy and also allows the airflow to create and maintain appropriate ventilation.
Gaming Experience
Built on the FinFET technology, it supports arithmetic FP32 instructions and INT32 operations. It doesn’t come with NVIDIA’s standard ray tracing and DLSS features. With all of its specifications, 1080p is the maximum resolution you can enjoy without performance issues. Anything above that resolution will stress your GPU out.
Design & Warranty
One of the biggest drawbacks here could be only 2 HDMI ports and an absence of a DisplayPort. The single fan cooler however does a decent job. PNY offers this card with a factory overclocked setup and to further optimize the capabilities and the aesthetics, PNY offers its own Velocity X software.
The compact form factor is one of the biggest advantages of PNY GeForce GTX 1650. The GTX 1650 from PNY runs on a GPU based on the Turing architecture, manufactured using a 12nm process. The introduction of the Turing architecture brought forth enhancements and novel features that improved overall performance and efficiency.
In contrast to the more powerful RTX series GPUs built on the Turing architecture, the GTX 1650 lacks dedicated RT Cores dedicated to real-time ray tracing. Consequently, the GTX 1650 cannot handle ray-traced games or applications.
The PNY GeForce GTX 1650 comes with a standard 3-year warranty from PNY.
Conclusion
Overclocking is a surprising addition to this card given that there is no auxiliary power connector. This card aims to attract new gamers or budget GPU seekers. It performs decently for 1080p gaming.
It has a low TDP but with no DisplayPort and limited VRAM, it is likely that once you get good at your games, it will run a lot hotter.
Pros
- Small form factor
- Lower TDP and energy consumption
- Good 1080p gaming
Cons
- No DisplayPort
- Runs hot under heavy workload
6. Cheapest Option: XFX Radeon RX 580
- GPU Architecture: Polaris
- Memory: 8GB GDDR5
- GPU Clock Speed: 1386 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 3.0
- Cooling: Dual fan
- PSU Requirement: 600 Watts
This is yet another GPU to use with Ryzen 5 3600. For those wanting a moderate setup of hardware and optimum display output should opt for the XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS as it spots as many as three DisplayPort and one HDMI as well as a DVI port.
Performance
This power saving feature CHILL feature works efficiently in RX 580 GTS XXX edition. It saves power, lowers overall system temperature which eventually prolongs the GPU’s lifespan. Dual fan setup does just about enough to keep the graphics card under recommended temperatures.
Gaming Experience
AMD aims to cater to gamers who instead of getting one mid-range GPU opt for 2 entry-level ones. Keeping that in mind, AMD offers XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX Edition with CrossFire support which is a technology from AMD to allow you to combine multiple GPUs to function together to enhance graphics stimulation and to distribute intense workloads.
It also gets AMD’s other standard features like FreeSync technology which is a synchronization of your display and GPU. This feature helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering by syncing the GPU’s frame rate with that of the display monitor’s refresh rate.
Design & Warranty
It is based on AMD’s Polaris architecture with a 14nm FinFET process. This platform along with its hardware configuration gives it a great balance between performance and efficiency. Notable features are dual BIOS which is very helpful in mining.
It also gets Radeon’s CHILL feature which is an intelligent power-saving option. The GPU essentially regulates the frame rates based on your movements in the game in real-time instead of providing a fixed frame rate all the time.
The GTS XXX Edition is equipped with a custom-made PCB, which enhances power delivery and overall stability. This type of customized PCB is often found in premium graphics cards, and it can improve the potential for overclocking.
The Polaris architecture, which this GPU is based on, was introduced in 2016 and is the successor to the previous generation’s Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture. It is built on a 14nm FinFET manufacturing process that allows for better power efficiency and performance compared to its predecessor.
The Radeon RX 580 has 2304 stream processors, also known as shader cores, which handle the majority of graphics rendering and computing tasks.
The Polaris architecture is compatible with contemporary graphics APIs such as DirectX 12 and Vulkan, allowing the GPU’s capabilities to be better utilized in the latest games and applications. A substandard 12 months warranty is a huge drawback for XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX Edition.
Conclusion
Overall it is a great choice for those seeking entry-level GPUs. With 3 DisplayPorts, you are ready to slot a VR headset with this graphics card as well. On the performance front, this graphics card works best for moderate gaming at 1080p.
Pros
- Price
- 1080p gaming
- VR compatible
Cons
- Previous generation of VRAM
- PCIe 3.0
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Ryzen 5 3600 processor is built on AMD’s Zen 2 architecture and it does not have integrated graphics. It requires a dedicated external graphics card to process and display high-definition visuals on the screen.
NVIDIA’s RTX 3000 series of advanced GPUs like RTX 3070 & RTX 3080 or AMD’s Radeon RX 6800 XT variant may show signs of bottlenecking with Ryzen 5 3600.
Regardless of the budget, ASUS TUF NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 is an ideal pair for the Ryzen 5 range of processors. It boasts of NVIDIA’s ray tracing and DLSS features along with an efficient cooling from axial fans.
108 FPS is the maximum frame rate for Ryzen 5 3600. It will be very much comfortable between 60 FPS to 100+ FPS with the help of optimized settings and tweaks through GPU software.
Verdict
There is a trend to couple two small GPUs to tackle the rising prices and unavailability of high-end GPUs. Entry-level graphics cards have seen popularity like never before after the pandemic. While it won’t be the worst idea in the world to pair two entry-level GPUs like Radeon RX 580 GTS, they still can’t match the performances and durability of near flagship GPUs.
Here is what you get for spending over $400 on top-end GPUs like RTX 3060 from ASUS (which by the way is my recommendation):
- NVIDIA’s features like DLSS & ray tracing
- Tough build quality and premium components
- Top-notch connectivity options
- Future-proofed specifications
- Aesthetics
Sapphire’s Radeon RX 6600 XT (Nitro+) comes close and almost delivers similar performances in both 1080p and 1440p. If you want to come to a middle ground in terms of cost and performance then AMD Radeon RX 6600 from PowerColor Fighter & RTX 3060 from ZOTAC are your best bet.
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