Top 7 Best GPU & CPU Combos For Gaming In 2024

Gaming’s recent surge has heightened demand for optimal GPU and CPU combinations, crucial for both esports and high-quality casual gaming.

Despite their typically high price, we’ve identified combinations delivering robust performance without breaking the bank.

This article explores the top CPU and GPU pairings for gaming in 2024, assisting you in finding the perfect fit for your next build, and potentially saving money.

Navigating through the multitude of available options can be daunting, but understanding which GPU works best with each CPU simplifies PC creation or upgrading.

Though you aim to procure the best components, your needs may vary depending on your usage.

For instance, a gamer or video editor’s requirements differ from someone using a PC for regular office work. If budget constraints add to your woes, our guide to the best cost-effective CPU and GPU can provide relief.

Importance of a Solid CPU and GPU Combo

Having a solid CPU and GPU combo for your gaming rig is a bit like having the ultimate tag team of superheroes.

Like Batman and Robin, these two key components of your gaming PC must work in perfect harmony to ensure the best gaming performance.

Think of your CPU as the brains of the operation. It’s the one juggling a dozen tasks at once, making sure your game runs smoothly, whether you’re creeping through a spooky abandoned house or commanding armies on a vast battlefield.

Meanwhile, the GPU is the brawn, flexing its muscles to render jaw-dropping graphics and lifelike visuals that take your breath away.

When you’ve got a great CPU and GPU combo, it’s like having the perfect mind-body balance – you’re ready to take on anything the gaming world throws at you.

Now, in 2024, the power and performance of CPUs and GPUs have reached unprecedented heights.

But remember, power on its own isn’t enough. A superhero team isn’t great because of individual strengths but because they work seamlessly together.

That’s what makes these top seven GPU and CPU combinations the best – they synergize brilliantly, ensuring your gaming experience is smooth, visually stunning, and truly immersive.

How to Choose the Right CPU and GPU for Gaming

Choosing the perfect CPU and GPU for your gaming adventures can seem daunting. But worry not! Consider the types of games you play the most.

For strategy games, you need a multitasking maestro like AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X. Love high-definition, fast-paced games? A top-notch GPU like Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3070 is your ticket to a smooth gaming ride.

Remember, balance is key. Marrying a high-end CPU with a low-tier GPU is like enjoying a gourmet steak with bargain-basement ketchup – it just doesn’t do justice.

Your components should complement each other, avoiding any system bottlenecks. As 2024’s advanced games ask more of your system, achieving this harmony becomes crucial.

So, gear up, explore, and you’ll find the CPU-GPU duo that fits your gaming needs like a glove.

Testing Methodology

In our testing process, we try to be as fair as possible to each part while making benchmarking procedures that can be used repeatedly to get the same results.

Any tested parts will be put into a system with other parts that are the same or similar. For example, we wouldn’t put an Intel Core i3 10090k and an RTX 3090Ti together because that would cause bottlenecking.

We also don’t have any outside people evaluate the parts we buy, so any comments we make are entirely our own.

Top 7 Best GPU & CPU Combos For Gaming In 2024

We all know that getting your computer’s CPU and GPU to work the way you want them to is time-consuming and frustrating.

Even the most minor gaming, editing, and design tasks might slow you down if you don’t have the correct GPU.

Also, if you want to get the most out of your computer, you should buy a high-quality CPU and GPU no matter what your budget is. Here are the 7 best GPU and CPU combos for gaming in 2024.

1 . AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 – Best Overall

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X, which comprises 12 cores and 24 threads, operates at a base frequency of 3.7 GHz and a peak frequency of 4.8 GHz.

Only the Ryzen 9 5950X, which has 16 cores and 32 threads, precedes the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X in the line-up. 

The Ryzen 9 5900X has 64 MB of total Level 3 cache memory available. Regarding RAM specifications, the chip technically supports dual-channel DDR4 running at 3200 MHz.

However, the middle ground is still DDR4-3600 MHz, much like on Zen 2 CPUs.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X boasts the same thermal design power of 105 Watts as its predecessor, Ryzen 9 3900X, although with a slightly higher boost frequency. 

That is an outstanding value given the CPU’s number of cores, threads, and operating frequencies.

Sadly, for some, AMD decided to stop including standard cooling with this chip. The justification is that buyers of such expensive components typically favor aftermarket cooling systems over OEM air coolers.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090

Looking at the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 graphics unit, you can see that it matches perfectly with the CPU. It’s the best GPU for home use that money can buy.

With 24GB of GDDR6X memory and hardware that is ready for RTX, the graphics card is the best you can afford now. 

Nvidia is the leader in ray tracing and supersampling. With its RTX 3090, which has 2nd-generation RT cores and 3rd-gen tensor cores, Nvidia is in the lead.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 is the most powerful graphics card on the market. It can render and encode 3D images attractively and play 8K games well. However, this degree of strength comes at a hefty cost. 

Most people won’t think it’s worth the money, but the RTX 3090 is great for creative professionals, which is who Nvidia made it for in the first place.

Why Are AMD Ryzen 9 5900x And Nvidia Geforce Rtx 3090 The Best GPU & CPU Combos For Gaming In 2024

You will have the finest gaming experience possible with this CPU-GPU combination. You could play games at a 4K resolution on top settings with a frame rate of at least 60.

That is crazy. With ray tracing and DLSS added, you can create the most intense gaming environment possible.

2 . Intel Core i9-10900K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 – Runner Up

Intel Core i9-10900K

The Intel Core i9-10900K is a premium desktop processor with ten cores and Comet Lake architecture.

Thanks to Hyper-Threading, the processor can run up to twenty threads simultaneously and operates at a speed range of 3.7 to 5.3 GHz. It only gets to 5.3 GHz once the core temperature is below 70°C.

The outdated 14nm (14nm++) technology is still used to create the processor. The 10900K has two additional cores and faster clock speeds than the Core i9-9900K, its forerunner. The free multiplier makes it easy to overclock the CPU.

The CPU is the fastest gaming CPU available at the time of announcement because of its high Turbo Boost.

The best Ryzen CPUs (such as the Ryzen 9 3950X), which have more cores, are faster than the i9 when all of its cores are active.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

On the other hand, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 doesn’t disappoint compared to other GPUs on the market.

The performance boost and significantly lower retail price make this GPU even more appealing. It costs almost half as much as the GPU from the previous generation.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 makes high-end PC gaming easier by letting the best games run at higher resolutions and refresh rates for less money.

There are less expensive cards with better value propositions. Still, when it comes to graphics cards with economic value, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 is simply the most affordable option for those who have the cash to spend but want the greatest return on their investment.

For those who can afford the price, we highly recommend it.

When you think about how much it costs, the RTX 3080 is a good graphics card for 4K gaming.

4K gaming is challenging to master. At this resolution, you can play all games at their highest settings at or very close to 60 frames per second.

3 . AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super – Budget Pick

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

If you’re on a tight budget, the Ryzen 5 5600X CPU and GeForce GTX 1660 GPU combo offers the best value gaming experience. Still, let’s look at each unit and see how well it works before you buy this set.

There are 6 cores and 12 threads in the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. The base clock is 3.7 GHz, and the boost clock is 4.6 GHz.

These might not look like much, but because it’s an X series CPU, it can be overclocked more than other AMD CPUs.

Therefore, if you overclock it correctly with a good motherboard, it can give you higher boost clocks.

You can get more power from a single core, which means playing games better and getting more FPS when playing in 1080p. 

Another benefit is that the CPU has a huge 32MB of L3 cache, which makes it suitable for CPU-intensive tasks like editing, rendering, and streaming videos.

It should be a good CPU for 1080p gaming, streaming, and video editing.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super

Even though the GTX 1660 Super is not a high-end GPU, it still has some great specs for this price. The GTX 1660 Super is a small graphics card with a lot of power because it has 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM. You’ll find that this card really shines when you play games at 1080p.

We were not optimistic, especially given how cheap this GPU is. Overall, we were happy with what we saw.

On high settings, we could play games like Fortnite, Forza Horizon 4, and Apex Legends at an average of 60 to 70 frames per second, which was good. Metro Exodus, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Just Cause 4, which are more demanding games, still ran well, with average frame rates between 35 and 45. 

Remember that this card works best with older, less demanding games. If you want to play newer games, you will usually have to turn the settings down a lot.

The GTX 1660 Super won’t give you earth-shattering performance, and you can’t play games at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, but it’s still a great card for 1080p gaming.

Also, the GTX 1660 Super is a great choice if you want to start editing videos or upgrade from the graphics that come with your workstation. 

If you have enough RAM and good boost clock speeds, you can easily and quickly edit video in 1080p if you have enough VRAM.

4 .  AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and the Intel Core i9-11900K – Premium Pick

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

Typically, purchasing a Ryzen 9 5900X for simply 4K gaming would be excessive. Nevertheless, that’s another story if you enjoy VR games and GPU-intensive computation.

In that case, the Ryzen 9 5900X paired with an Intel Core i9-11900k is currently the best performance setup.

An enthusiast-level desktop CPU called the Ryzen 9 was unveiled last year. It provides 24 threads and 12 processor cores.

In addition, it boasts a 105 Watt power rating, a 3.8 GHz base clock speed, and a 4.8 GHz peak clock speed. The Vermeer 7nm series of chips serve as the processor’s foundation.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is, by a wide margin, the fastest processor evaluated on a mainstream platform.

The Ryzen 9 5900X significantly outperformed not only its successor, the Ryzen 9 3900X but also its major rival, the Intel Core i9-10900K, in all but one of our tests.

Intel Core i9-11900K

Intel is still the most popular CPU among gamers. Intel has a plethora of options if you’re a die-hard gamer.

With 8 cores and 16 threads of CPU, and 16MB of clever cache, the 11th generation i9-11900K is a decent boost over previous versions. The CPU has a base rate of 3.5GHz that may be increased to 5.3GHz in turbo mode.

Since gaming is primarily single-core dependent, such fast boost clocks will provide you an edge over having a high core count. The i9-11900K has DDR4 3200 memory with a maximum of two memory channels. 

This CPU has a maximum memory capacity of 128 GB (depending on the type of RAM) and a maximum memory bandwidth of 50 GB/s, which should be more than adequate for a satisfying gaming experience.

5 . Intel Core i5-10600K and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super

Intel Core i5-10600K

The Core i5-10600K emerges as the new standard champion for gamers seeking the performance edge and enthusiasts who enjoy tuning their processors without spending a fortune on expensive accompanying components.

The Intel Core i5 10600K is not the most powerful gaming processor in the world, but for most people reading this right now, it will likely offer higher performance compared to the Core i9 10900K. 

The world’s fastest gaming processor title belongs to the 10900K, the top model of the 10th generation Comet Lake processors.

It is also the first mainstream ten-core processor Intel has ever made, pushing the 14nm architecture to the limit, necessitating a significant increase in power and cooling requirements.

The L3 cache on the 10600K is 12 MB, which is 3 MB more than the Core i5-9600K. Intel’s latest memory support, DDR4-2933, is slower than AMD’s DDR4-3200. Just like the other multipliers on the chip that deal with ratios

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super

The GTX 1650 Super offers a significant performance improvement over the GTX 1650 in terms of core specifications.

While maintaining a 128-bit memory interface, it boasts 42 percent more GPU cores than the 1650 and 50 percent higher bandwidth thanks to the switch to 12 Gbps GDDR6. 

Even more intriguingly, it achieves the same bandwidth as the GTX 1660 while having fewer cores and a slower clock speed.

Despite having 2GB less memory, it may have the same overall bandwidth as 1660; therefore, performance will undoubtedly suffer in some circumstances. 

We’ve seen many new games in the last few years where having a 4GB GPU is limiting, but how much lower hinges on the game and settings?

Even after the 2020 release of the next console generation, things won’t get much better.

6 . AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is one of the best-performing CPUs from AMD’s prior Ryzen processor generation, the 5000 series.

Ryzen 5000 CPUs provided new competition to Intel by offering great performance throughout the board at an affordable price. Despite being over two years old, this CPU still performs admirably by today’s standards.

With 12 cores and 24 threads, the 5900X offers a lot in terms of specifications. In terms of clock speed, the baseline clock is 3.7GHz with a boost potential of 4.8GHz.

This places the 7600X on top in terms of clock speed, but will it be the same in terms of performance?

In terms of performance, it is a very competent processor that can handle almost anything you throw at it. 4K gaming will be great, and the 5900X will undoubtedly dominate at 1080P and 1440P resolutions.

The 5900X will also be totally capable of heavy workloads equivalent to a workstation PC design due to the sheer number of cores and threads.

AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT

The 6800 XT is built using TSMC’s 7nm technology and the new RDNA2 architecture. Across 72 CUs, the GPU has 288 TMUs, 4608 cores, and 128 ROPs.

The processors can run up to 2250 MHz, and it has 512GB/s of memory bandwidth to play with due to 16GB of 16Gbps GDDR6 storage on a 256-bit wide memory bus. It offers a TBP of 300 watts and, most importantly, PCI Exp. 4.0 support.

The fan only turned at 1500 RPM, which is not very fast. During our testing, the typical core clock speed was 2365 MHz, which resulted in power consumption for just the graphics card reaching 336 watts, a 13% increase well over the AMD reference model.

7 . Intel Core i9-10900K and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super

Intel Core i9-10900K

Look no further if you want a machine that will not hold back. With this potent combo, it is possible to edit 4K videos and play games at extremely high refresh rates.

You can achieve 8K performance at 60 frames per second in some games.

The 10-core with 20-thread Intel i9-10900kf processor keeps up with even the most taxing workloads.

The 10th Gen Intel Core processor, which is unlocked and supports Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology, is designed with passionate gamers in mind.

However, cooling can be difficult, so select a powerful water-based cooler to match the overclocking rates.

The Core i9-10900 features 20MB of L3 cache and runs at 2.8 GHz by standard, but depending on the workload, it can boost to 5.2 GHz.

The Core i9-10900 is produced by Intel using a 14 nm manufacturing process; the number of transistors is unknown.

The multiplier of the Core i9-10900 is locked, which restricts the processor’s ability to be overclocked.

The Core i9-10900 uses standard power levels for a contemporary PC with a TDP of 65 W. Dual-channel DDR4 memory is supported by Intel’s processor.

With overclocking (and the appropriate memory modules), you can increase the inbuilt memory speed of 2933 MHz even more.

Core i9-10900 connects via PCI-Express Gen 3 to communicate with other machine parts. The integrated graphics system used by this chipset is called UHD Graphics 630.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super

NVIDIA describes the 1660 Super as “a supercharged for today’s most popular gaming,” Its outstanding features demonstrate that this is not an exaggeration.

It is driven by NVIDIA’s Turing technology and a fast 6GB GDDR6 RAM, resulting in greater performance levels to assist you in meeting the demands of current gaming.

With the high cost of most CPUs currently, it isn’t easy to find a reasonably priced GPU with some of the greatest graphics available, such as the 1660 Super.

Combining the capabilities of the i3 and the 1660 Super is a win-win situation for budget gamers looking to extend their gaming enjoyment.

How To Choose The Best GPU & CPU Combos For Gaming In 2024

Selecting the best CPU-GPU combination for gaming can be challenging because there are no clear rules to follow. 

Here are a few points to consider when choosing a CPU-GPU combination, especially if it’s your first time shopping for the best GPU & CPU combos for gaming in 2024.

Budget 

Whatever you want to purchase, you have to consider your budget. Your budget will determine the quality you get. Budget in this context refers to the availability of the required resources for the CPU-GPU combination you’ve chosen or desired. If your budget allows, choose a combination with all the necessary features. If not, consider settling for something less expensive. Luckily, you can find many inexpensive combos on the market.

Brand

Brand loyalty can be necessary for some people but not for everyone. No matter the quality, some consumers prefer to buy a product from a particular brand. 

Some customers might favor a CPU or GPU brand in a market with unique products because of the technologies it employs in producing a product. It is preferable to pinpoint the precise attributes you want in a brand before buying the product.

Frames Per Second

When choosing the CPU-GPU combination, the refresh rate is one of the most important things to consider. The demand for the CPU increases as the frames per second increase, and vice versa. In other words, 144Hz or 240Hz gaming will need more processing power from the CPU than 60 Hz gaming does.

You should install a fast CPU if you want to play games that use a lot of CPU power or constantly work at higher refresh rates. The same is true for games with lesser resolutions because the FPS increases with decreasing resolution (meaning more load for the CPU). Additionally, the more pixels that need to be produced, the higher the resolution.

Be aware that certain screens are designed to support both high FPS and high resolution. A 1440p-144Hz panel, for example, will put more strain on the CPU than a 1440p-60Hz screen. Compared to a 4K or 1080p resolution, a 1440p resolution places a heavier burden on the GPU.

Number Of Cores

The number of cores it contains indicates a CPU or GPU’s performance power. The truth is that performance and versatility increase with the number of cores. GPU cores are typically in the thousands, but CPU cores are frequently in the single digits. 

A 4-core CPU and any good GPU will be enough if all your interests are in gaming. However, choose a higher number of cores if you want to multitask.

Screen Resolution

Higher resolutions require the rendering of more pixels, which puts more strain on the GPU. In contrast, lesser resolutions (such as 1080p) place a greater burden on the CPU because there are more frames for it to process. 

Therefore, everything depends on your preferences and the type of games you intend to play. There are apps available that can assist you in keeping track of the impact of CPU/GPU utilization on pixels, FPS, and resolution.

Video RAM (VRAM)

While the video RAM performs similar tasks to computer RAM, the former’s capabilities are limited to a graphics card. A higher RAM number equates to a higher performance level, like cores. So, it’s best to have a lot of RAM for the best gaming experience (and for other things besides gaming).

Clock Speed

The fastest clock rates are typically found in the most effective CPUs and GPUs. However, keep in mind that a fast clock speed is essential but not necessary because some CPUs and GPUs operate at greater clock speeds while using less total power. 

So, you must ensure that your combination meets all the other requirements for high clock speeds and top performance.

Dimensions 

Computers have areas or slots for installing particular components, like graphics cards. This means that you will have a problem if you buy a part whose size doesn’t fit the space your computer has. 

Before you buy something, you should ensure that the device and slot are the same sizes.

Cooling

For longevity and performance, cooling is crucial. For example, the relationship between performance speed and temperature is inverse. When examining the specifications of any specific CPU or GPU, pay attention to the thermal design power (TDP). Additionally, you must ensure that your PC’s cooling system is effective enough to remove the TDP rating catches.

Bottlenecks

Every gamer wants to find a combination that will boost the performance of their gaming experience. However, not all CPU-GPU combinations are a perfect fit. Thus there is a chance that one could restrict the other. 

So, make sure you know a lot about the CPU and graphics card you are pairing, and if you need to, ask a computer gaming expert for help. This will help you avoid bottlenecks and choose the best combination for you.

Connection Mechanism

Ensure that you are familiar with the connectivity features of the processor and graphics card you wish to buy. By doing this, you can figure out precisely what needs to be connected and avoid using converters to connect devices with different-sized ports. The standard connection methods include DVI, HDMI ports, and Display Port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

It is unnecessary to overstate the significance of CPUs and GPUs for a computer system. This significance can also be seen in the gaming industry, where CPU-GPU combinations are essential for the best possible gaming experience.

However, there currently needs to be precise guidelines for making the best processor and graphics card choices. As a result, trial or repetition is required to find your optimal match. The seven CPU-GPU combinations on this list result from an ongoing process and a deep understanding of how things work. This technical knowledge helps identify the aspects to consider before choosing a CPU-GPU gaming setup.

No matter how much money you have, what matters most is that you get the best performance for your money. You can create an excellent system from a good setup with the correct CPU and GPU configuration. On the other hand, purchasing the incorrect parts can severely limit your performance and cause you to second-guess your choice.

If you have questions about choosing the right GPU and CPU combinations for gaming in 2024, feel free to comment below. We will be more than delighted to hear your thoughts and provide the necessary feedback. Please let us know what you think.