It's certainly not the most up-to-date graphics card, but the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 can still handle 1440p gaming at 144Hz with suitable games. Plus, as I'm checking in February 2024, the 3060 sells as low as $314 at Newegg. I know this because it's the card I chose for my gaming desktop PC, and finding the best CPU for RTX 3060 cards was my next step. Here are my top picks to fit a range of budgets for your next build!
Best overall
The RTX 3060 offers some of the best value for money in the graphics card space, and the 5600X does the same for processors, which is convenient because they match so perfectly. It's nothing overkill, but not too weak. Build a 1080p gaming machine with this.
Best for 1440p
Our Ryzen 7 5800X review highlighted some crucial details at launch, including its lack of a free CPU cooler. You'll need to consider something potent because this processor runs hot, even when idle. Nevertheless, I chose it for my 1440p 144Hz gaming desktop.
Best Intel
The i7-12700K beats the Ryzen 7 5800X in most benchmarks but costs more. The DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 support set it up nicely for the future, but you'll need a motherboard to accommodate the LGA 1700 socket. It's a little more powerful than it needs to be, but the prices are fair now.
Affordable Intel
The Intel Core i5-12600K is an incredible mid-range CPU that beats Ryzen 5 competitors in most benchmarks. DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 support are still here with the same LGA 1700 socket. On a tighter budget, this will make an excellent pairing with the RTX 3060 if you stick with Intel.
All-out AMD power
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X might be overkill for most people, but if you have the budget, it will crush almost anything you throw its way. It features 16 cores, 32 threads, a 105W base TDP, and overclocking support. Using the AM4 socket, it has DDR4 RAM and PCIe 4.0 support.
All-out Intel power
A competitor for the Ryzen 9, the i9-12900K runs at a 125W base TDP but can be overclocked. It brings DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 support, though you'll need a compatible LGA 1700 socket motherboard. Likely overkill for most, but you won't be disappointed if you have the budget.
Choosing the best CPU for NVIDIA RTX 3060
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I specifically built a modest gaming desktop with NVIDIA's RTX 3060 graphics card because I don't play anything too demanding. My monitors don't exceed 1440p resolutions, though they can reach up to 240Hz. However, I kept it locked to my preference at 144Hz and planned to stick with the best overall pick of AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X. The only reason I sprung a little more for the Ryzen 7 5800X is because it happened to be discounted to the same price.
The only downside to my pick is that the 5800X runs a little hotter, but I already had a selection of capable (and gigantic) all-in-one liquid coolers to handle that. Still, I stand by my pick for the best overall and maintain that the Ryzen 5 5600X makes the most sense for an RTX 3060 build and has incredible value for money at the start of 2024.
When we wrote our NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 review, it was a little hard to find, but times have moved on, and stocks are, thankfully, plentiful, making it one of the best graphics cards in terms of sheer value and respectable performance. Pair it with a motherboard to match the 5600X alongside a mid-range, 5600X-compatible cooler, and you're well on your way to building an affordable PC gaming rig.
