Top 8 Best CPU For GTX 1660 In 2023

AMD Ryzen 5 3600

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: AMD | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Multi-threading: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AM4+ | Base clock: 3.6 GHz | Boost clock: 4.2 GHz | Rated TDP: 65 W | Cache memory: L1: 384KB, L2: 3MB, and L3: 32MB

The next processor on the list is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 which is an excellent chip for those who want an affordable product without compromising the performance. It’s a 7nm Zen 2 powered chip which isn’t as efficient as the current Zen 3 design but still enough to power a mid-tier system.

There is a basic pack of 6 cores and 12 threads where the chip features multi-threading technologies. It means that the CPU cores can use multiple threads at a time to handle any type of game.

In addition, the unlocked multiplier allows this processor to overclock and underclock the clock speed between 3.6GHz base and 4.2GHz boost clock speed. As far as the latencies matter, there is a three-level cache where L3 has 32MB while L2 comes with a 3MB cache.

Other features include PCIe 4.0 support in the form of 16 lanes and volatile DDR4 memory support up to 128GB with 3200MHz speed. Overall this best selling CPU for GTX 1660 is a beast if you pair it with a 500- or 400-series board.

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Final verdict:

If you are interested in getting an amount of performance equal to the investment you made, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is for you. It offers great effective power for mid-tier systems being the best processor for GTX 1650. A fully-loaded “X” version of this chip is also available so if you want peak gaming output, you can check that as well. Anyhow, this non-X has pretty much everything to not let you down when you’re playing any game or doing content creation.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: AMD | Cores: 12 | Threads: 24 | Multi-threading: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AM4+ | Base clock: 3.8 GHz | Boost clock: 4.6 GHz | Rated TDP: 105 W | Cache memory: L1: 768KB, L2: 6MB, and L3: 64MB

The first processor on the list is the AMD Ryzen 9 3900x which carries mind-blowing performance to impress its users. It’s not only known for its performance but also for its value for money at the same time.

If you’re a tech enthusiast who wants to get the most out of the system and the best AMD CPU for GTX 1660, this chip is for you. It comes with 12 cores and 12 threads along with effective multi-threading technology to help the chip handle complex multitasking. 

It beats the Intel Core i9 9900k in terms of the higher core count and its jaw-dropping single-threads gaming efficiencies. Other important specifications of this chip include a three-level cache memory where level 2 has 6MB and level 3 offers a 64MB cache.

It’s an unlocked chip and can take its 3.8GHz base clock speed up to a 4.6GHz boost clock according to the load. In short, if you have the latest 500-series motherboard, this CPU is enough for gaming and content creation.

Final verdict:

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900x is the best CPU for GTX 1660 with a bunch of the latest technologies and an effective multi-core hierarchy. Since it’s based on the 7nm Zen 3 architecture so you can expect almost 15% more IPC than the previous chips.

It gives strong competition to Intel’s family and even beats the Intel Core i9-9900k with 25-40% more performance during the practical workflow. This CPU is a perfect combination of multi-threaded, multi-core, and single-core performance.

Intel Core i5-9400F

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Intel | Cores: 6 | Threads: 6 | Multi-threading: No | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: LGA 1151 | Base clock: 2.90 GHz | Boost clock: 4.10 GHz | Rated TDP: 65 W | Cache memory: 9MB Intel Smart Cache

If you’re a user who doesn’t like the long-digits price tags then the Intel Core i5-9400F is a perfect option for you. It’s the “F” variant and doesn’t have an unlocked multiplier. If we compare it with its unlocked or “k” variant, there would be some difference in overclocking, but it has pretty much the same efficiencies at a lower price.

No doubt, the brand has done a great job in designing and manufacturing this chip for optimal performance with only a 65W default TDP and low-heat performance.

The Core i5 9400F is from the 9th generation and built on a 14nm manufacturing lithography. You can connect it with the DDR4 volatile memory to reach the 41.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. But still, there are downsides to this chip.

This is the GTX 1660 compatible CPU but doesn’t support the PCIe 4.0 connections as the previous Intel Core i5-10600k does. Moreover, the absence of integrated graphics is also a bit of an issue, but it can be resolved by connecting a dedicated graphics unit.

Final verdict:

The Intel Core i5-9400F is quite an affordable processor and carries an excellent price-to-performance ratio to match your expectations. It’s the “F” variant and doesn’t have an unlocked multiplier. So it can’t overclock and underclock the clock speed as the unlocked processors, plus it can’t reduce the power consumption.

Overall, it’s the best affordable CPU for GTX 1660 to get the full bang for your bucks along with pretty much enough speed from a system.

Intel Core i5-10600K

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Intel | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Multi-threading: Yes | Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Socket: LGA 1200 | Base clock: 4.10 GHz | Boost clock: 4.80 GHz | Rated TDP: 95 W | Cache memory: 12MB Intel Smart Cache

Intel has launched the features-rich Comet Lake series, replacing its older Coffee Lake processors family. The brand has changed a lot on the features side to make it advanced and modified for current-era needs.

Interestingly, there are some common aspects as well, including the same 14nm manufacturing process. If we compare the Core i5-2600k with its bigger brothers, 10th-generation i7 chips, it shares several aspects and is the best CPU for 1660 Super.

The chip is positioned firmly against the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and Ryzen 7 3700X in terms of speeds and efficiency. Its specifications are given above in the table so you can visit that and read those in detail.

It can take the volatile memory bandwidth beyond the 41.6 GB/s mark when it’s installed on high-end motherboards. Since the chip is the “k” variant, it is unlocked and can provide ultra-edge smooth performance by varying the input power and clock speed. 

Final verdict:

The Intel Core i5-10600k is the best overall CPU for GTX 1660 in the stack with many interesting AMD-beating features and perfect performance. Apart from that, the brand has embedded the hyper-threading feature in the chip to fully handle all types of gaming loads and do content creation without any lag. There is no Turbo Boost 3.0 technology so it may lag in the speeds of individual cores. Other than that, there is no bad repetition to this processor.

Intel Core i5-10400F

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Intel | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Multi-threading: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: LGA 1200 | Base clock: 2.90 GHz | Boost clock: 4.30 GHz | Rated TDP: 65 W | Cache memory: 12MB Intel Smart Cache

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a well-known below-$200 gaming chip is the stack and a great improvement over the i5-9400 and i5-8400. It is a strong competitor of AMD’s six-core CPUs, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the previous 3600X.

The chip is from the 10th generation of Intel’s processor family and is based on the 14nm Comet Lake microarchitecture. It’s the best mid-range CPU for GTX 1660 compared to the other chips in the family and across the competition line. 

You can optimally utilize the Hyper-Threading, more L3 cache, and higher clock speeds in the entire stack. We have observed the same 2.90GHz base clock speed as its predecessors, but the boost clock speed has increased up to 4.30GHz.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s a locked chip, so we can’t overclock it via a base-clock multiplier. But you can use tweaking the base clock method as an alternative. Honestly, you should go for it if the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X isn’t available on the market. 

Final verdict:

Everybody likes excellent performance, and this chip has a great one for gamers and content creators. It is impressive in 4k gaming with some top-tier graphics cards but a perfect for 1080p gaming in the case of the GTX 1660 Super.

It’s not the brand’s high-end six-core in the stack since this title goes for the unlocked Core i5-10600k but carries impressive features. Remember, It lacks integrated graphics support, being an “F” version, and overclock ability being a locked chip.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: AMD | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Multi-threading: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AM4+ | Base clock: 3.70 GHz | Boost clock: 4.60 GHz | Rated TDP: 65 W | Cache memory: L2: 3MB, and L3: 32MB

AMD is a great CPUs manufacturer and famous for putting all the latest technologies into tit product. The brand doesn’t restrict its creativity to producing only premium processors but also offers some affordable choices as well.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600x is one of the most affordable items and one of its kind. It’s the best performance CPU for GTX 1660 powered by the 7nm Zen 3 core design. In addition, there are 6 cores and 12 threads with an effective multi-threading technology. 

There is a three-level cache that does not let the chip wait to fetch the required instruction but rather allows reducing the latencies with 3MB L2 cache and 32MB L3 cache memory. Further, the unlocked multiplier can set the clock speed anywhere between 3.7GHz base and 4.7GHz boost clock speed depending upon the load.

Other important features of the processor include PCIe 4.0 support, DDR4-3200 volatile memory support, and 400- or 500-series motherboard support.

Final verdict:

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600x is the best Ryzen CPU for GTX 1660 super and gives a strong rivalry to the Intel family. It’s known for being an excellent choice to handle single-core and multi-threaded workloads. It stands against the Intel Core i9-10900k and beats it in terms of value for money and in-game performance.

Moreover, it has only 65W default TDP which makes it able to save a lot of power and money in the form of utility bills—the cooling wouldn’t be an issue as well.

Intel Core i7-9700K

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Intel | Cores: 8 | Threads: 8 | Multi-threading: No | Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Socket: LGA 1151 | Base clock: 3.60 GHz | Boost clock: 4.90 GHz | Rated TDP: 95 W | Cache memory: 12MB Intel Smart Cache

We have already introduced you to some famous chips names from Intel where some were pretty affordable, and few were for high-end overclockers. The Intel Core i7-9700k is one of its kind from the 9th generation Coffee Lake family, built on a 14-nanometer manufacturing process.

It’s also the best premium CPU for GTX 1660 with efficient architecture. However, the i7-9700k got knocked out in front of the eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, the main competitor and best mainstream processor. 

The chip replaces its predecessor, Core i7-8700k, with a 100MHz lesser base clock but a 200MHz increased boost clock. Sadly, the brand has dropped the multi-threading or hyper-threading which was in the 8th generation variant.

So, now the cores can’t use multiple threads simultaneously, making the chips challenging to perform complex operations. Also, there is no bundled cooler packed in the box plus no support for PCIe 4.0 with the chip; instead, 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0 are given.

Final verdict:

The Intel Core i7-9700k is an unlocked processor and a perfect fit for excellent performance and best value at the same time. In addition, it’s a great alternative to the pricey Core i9-9900k with slightly downgraded specifications.

But I have found some heart-breaking facts as well. Despite the absence of a bundled cooler, it is more expensive than the AMD Ryzen 7 2700x where both offers the same performance. You must pair a robust video card to utilize its full potential.

Intel Core i5-11400F

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Intel | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Multi-threading: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: LGA 1200 | Base clock: 2.60 GHz | Boost clock: 4.40 GHz | Rated TDP: 65 W | Cache memory: 12MB Intel Smart Cache

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a well-known processor from the Intel’s 11th generation Rocket Lake family. It is one of the latest cheaper processors and one of the most impressive six-core chips in the market.

If we put this chip toe-to-toe against the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, you are getting the same core count as well as the threads but the current i5-11400F is way affordable. But remember, it’s the “F” variant, so you can’t fluctuate the clock speed or reduce the power usage with a locked processor. 

The lack of PCIe 4.0 support in the previous two processors, the Intel Core i5-9400F and Intel Core i5-10600k makes me slightly unhappy. So this chip is the word-of-my-mouth since it has the PCIe 4.0 connectivity support split in a 20-lane structure.

You can connect all the latest Intel-compatible 500-series or 400-series motherboards effectively. No doubt, It’s the best CPU for GTX 1660, supporting dual-channel memory architecture that can go beyond the 50 GB/s ratings.

Final verdict:

If we compare the Intel Core i5-11400F with the other versions in the family, it falls in the lower-to-mid category in the stack. Overall, it is the best enthusiast CPU for GTX 1660 for those who want impressive performance without spending much.

All the customers are happy with its speeds, power efficiency, and versatility. The rated TDP of 65W makes it pretty power-efficient, enabling us to save power usage and electricity bills and save some bucks.