In general, you want to look for a CPU with a high clock speed and as many cores as your budget allows, as this will allow you to get the most out of your GTX 1660 Super.
Here are seven options for CPUs that would be suitable for use with a GTX 1660 Super graphics card:
The List of the Best CPUs for GTX 1660 Super
These CPUs have demonstrated excellent performance with GTX 1600 Series graphics cards. We have also tested them while playing various games and did not experience any stuttering, indicating that they can keep up with the GTX 1660 Super. Now, let’s review some of these CPUs in more detail.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | bEST oVERALL
Specs:
Processor base frequency: 3.7 GHz
Max turbo frequency: 4.8 GHz
Cache: 64 MB L3 Cores
Cores: 12
Threads: 24
Lithography: 7nm
Max memory bandwidth: 128 GB/s
This is a 12-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz. It has excellent multi-threaded performance and will be able to handle even the most demanding workloads.
pros
✔️High performance: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a powerful CPU that is capable of handling heavy workloads and demanding tasks.
✔️Great for gaming: The combination of the Ryzen 9 5900X and GTX 1660 Super is ideal for gaming, with the CPU providing strong processing power and the graphics card delivering smooth and detailed visuals.
✔️Overclocking potential: The Ryzen 9 5900X is known for its ability to be overclocked, allowing users to increase its performance even further.
cons
❌High cost: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and GTX 1660 Super can be expensive, making it less accessible for some users.
❌Requires a good cooling system: The Ryzen 9 5900X generates a lot of heat when running at high speeds, so it is important to have a good cooling system in place to prevent overheating.
❌Compatibility issues: Some users have reported compatibility issues with certain motherboard and memory configurations when using the Ryzen 9 5900X.
Intel Core i5-10600K
Specs:
Processor base frequency: 4.10 GHz
Max turbo frequency: 4.80 GHz
Cache: 12 MB Intel Smart Cache
Cores: 6
Threads: 12
Lithography: 14nm
Max memory bandwidth: 41.6 GB/s
This is a powerful 6-core processor with a base clock speed of 4.1 GHz. It has good single-threaded performance and will be able to handle most games and tasks with ease.
pros
✔️Good value for money – These components offer good value for their price, providing a good balance of performance and affordability.
✔️Energy efficient – Both the CPU and GPU are designed to be energy efficient, which means they won’t consume a lot of power and will generate less heat, leading to lower electricity bills and a longer lifespan for the components.
cons
❌Limited overclocking potential – The Intel Core i5-10600K CPU has limited overclocking potential, which means users may not be able to boost its performance to the maximum level.
❌Not the most powerful option – While the Intel Core i5-10600K CPU and GTX 1660 Super are powerful components, they may not be the best choice for users looking for the highest level of performance as there are more powerful options available on the market.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Specs:
Processor base frequency: 3.7 GHz
Max turbo frequency: 4.6 GHz
Cache: L3 36MB
Cores: 6
Threads: 12
Lithography: 7 nm
Max memory bandwidth: DDR4 3200MHz
This is a 6-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz. It has excellent multi-threaded performance and will be able to handle more demanding workloads.
pros
✔️Good value for money: The CPU offers a good balance of price and performance, making it a cost-effective choice for users who want to build a high-performance system on a budget.
✔️Energy efficient: The 5600X has a low TDP (Thermal Design Power) of just 65 watts, making it energy efficient and suitable for use in small form factor systems.
cons
❌Limited overclocking potential: The 5600X has a locked multiplier, which means users cannot easily overclock the CPU to boost its performance.
❌Fewer cores: The 5600X has just 6 cores and 12 threads, which may be insufficient for users who require more processing power for tasks such as video editing or 3D rendering.
Intel Core i7-10700K
Specs:
Processor base frequency: 3.8 GHz
Max turbo frequency: 5.1 GHz
Cache: 16 MB Intel Smart Cache
Cores: 8
Threads: 16
Lithography: 14nm
Max memory bandwidth: 41.6 GB/s
This is a 8-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz. It has excellent single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, making it a great choice for gaming and more demanding tasks.
pros
✔️8 CORES: The Intel Core i7-10700K CPU is a powerful processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, making it capable of handling demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing with ease.
✔️Overclocking capabilities: The CPU has a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz and a boost speed of 5.1 GHz, but it can be overclocked to even higher speeds with the right cooling system and motherboard.
✔️Hyper-Threading technology: The Core i7-10700K has Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology, which allows each physical core to function as two virtual cores, improving multitasking and overall performance.
cons
❌High price: The Intel Core i7-10700K is a premium CPU, and its price reflects this. It may be too expensive for some users.
❌Requires a compatible motherboard: The CPU uses the LGA 1200 socket, which means you will need a compatible motherboard to use it.
❌High power consumption: The Core i7-10700K is a high-performance CPU, which means it consumes more power than some other CPUs. This may result in higher electricity bills and may require a more powerful power supply unit.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | bEST FOR MONEY
Specs:
Processor base frequency: 3.8 GHz
Max turbo frequency: 4.7 GHz
Cache: 32 MB L3
Cores: 8
Threads: 16
Lithography: 7nm
Max memory bandwidth: 128 GB/s
This is an 8-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz. It has excellent multi-threaded performance and will be able to handle even the most demanding workloads.
pros
✔️Good value for money: These components offer a good balance between price and performance, making them a cost-effective option for users looking to upgrade their system without breaking the bank.
✔️Excellent compatibility: Both the CPU and GPU are compatible with a wide range of motherboards and other components, making it easy to build or upgrade a system using these components.
cons
❌Power consumption: These components may require more power than some other options, which could result in higher energy costs or the need for a more powerful power supply.
❌Heat generation: Both the CPU and GPU are known to generate a lot of heat, which may require the use of additional cooling solutions such as fans or water-cooling systems.
Intel Core i9-10850K | RUNNER UP
Specs:
Processor base frequency: 3.6 GHz
Max turbo frequency: 5.2 GHz
Cache: 20 MB
Cores: 10
Threads: 20
Lithography: 14nm
Max memory bandwidth: 45.8 GB/s
This is a 10-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz. It has excellent single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, making it a great choice for gaming and other demanding tasks.
pros
✔️10 cores: The CPU has 10 cores, which allows it to perform multiple tasks at once and reduce overall processing time.
✔️Overclocking capabilities: The CPU is unlocked, meaning it can be overclocked to run at higher speeds for even better performance.
cons
❌Price: The Intel Core i9-10850K CPU is one of the more expensive options on the market, which may be a drawback for those on a budget.
❌Power consumption: The CPU has a high power draw, which can lead to higher energy bills and potentially shorter lifespan for the CPU.
❌Limited compatibility: The CPU may not be compatible with older motherboards or systems, which can be a problem for those upgrading from an older model.
Intel Core i9-10900K
Specs:
Processor base frequency: 3.7 GHz
Max turbo frequency: 5.3 GHz
Cache: 20 MB Intel Smart Cache
Cores: 10
Threads: 20
Lithography: 14nm
Max memory bandwidth: 45 GB/s
This is a 10-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz. It has excellent single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, making it a great choice for gaming and other demanding tasks.
pros
✔️Fast clock speeds: The CPU has a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz and can be boosted up to 5.3 GHz, which allows for fast and efficient performance.
cons
❌High cost: The Intel Core i9-10900K CPU is one of the more expensive options on the market, which may not be feasible for some users.
❌High power consumption: The CPU has a high TDP (thermal design power) of 125 W, which can lead to increased energy consumption and potentially higher cooling costs.
❌Limited compatibility: The CPU may not be compatible with all motherboard models, which could be an issue for users looking to upgrade their existing system.
Bottom Line / Recommendations
To summarize, these processors are suitable for use with the Nvidia GTX 1660 Super and are available at various price points. Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a CPU is its performance, which can vary based on whether you opt for an Intel or AMD chip. While AMD chips offer a good value with higher clock speeds and cores, Intel chips tend to provide better single-core performance for gaming purposes.
FAQ
RAM Speed vs. CPU Speed: What Is the Relation?
RAM speed and CPU speed are not directly related in the sense that one does not directly affect the other. However, there is a relationship between the two in that the speed of the CPU can potentially be limited by the speed of the RAM.
RAM (random access memory) is the memory that is used by the CPU to store and access data while it is performing tasks. The speed of the RAM determines how quickly the CPU can access this data. If the RAM is slower, it can take longer for the CPU to retrieve the data it needs, which can affect the overall performance of the system.
On the other hand, the CPU (central processing unit) is the main processor in a computer that performs the majority of the tasks and calculations. The speed of the CPU is determined by its clock speed, which is measured in GHz (gigahertz). The faster the clock speed, the more tasks the CPU can perform in a given amount of time.
In general, the CPU will always be faster than the RAM. However, if the RAM is not able to keep up with the demands of the CPU, it can limit the overall performance of the system. This is known as a “bottleneck.” For example, if the CPU is capable of processing tasks at a high speed, but the RAM is slower, it can slow down the overall performance of the system.
In summary, the relationship between RAM speed and CPU speed is that the speed of the RAM can potentially limit the performance of the CPU if it is not able to keep up with the demands of the CPU. However, the two are not directly related, as the speed of the RAM does not directly affect the speed of the CPU.
What Is More Important: RAM Speed or CPU Speed?
Both RAM speed and CPU speed are important for a computer’s performance. However, the importance of each can vary depending on the specific tasks the computer is being used for.
Generally speaking, CPU speed is more important for overall system performance. The CPU is responsible for executing instructions and processing data, so a faster CPU will be able to perform tasks more quickly. This is especially important for tasks that require a lot of processing power, such as video editing, 3D rendering, and playing high-end games.
On the other hand, RAM speed is important for allowing the CPU to access data quickly. If the RAM is slow, the CPU may have to wait for data to be transferred from the hard drive, which can slow down performance. This is particularly noticeable when multitasking or running multiple programs at once.
Overall, both RAM speed and CPU speed are important for a computer’s performance, but the specific importance of each will depend on the tasks being performed. If you’re using your computer for tasks that require a lot of processing power, a faster CPU will be more important. If you’re multitasking or running multiple programs at once, faster RAM may be more important.
Should RAM Speed Be same as CPU Speed?
It is not necessary for the RAM speed to be the same as the CPU speed. However, faster RAM can improve the performance of the CPU, especially in tasks that require a lot of data to be processed quickly, such as video editing or gaming. It is important to ensure that the RAM is compatible with the CPU and motherboard and that the RAM speed is within the recommended range for the specific CPU.
