3 Best CPUs for GTX 1060 in 2025 (Ideal for 3GB & 6GB)

• Best CPU for GTX 1060
• How to Choose the Right CPU for You
• GTX 1060 3GB vs GTX 1060 6GB: Which is Best?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Compare CPUs
• Best CPU for GTX 1060 3GB vs 6GB Models?

Here’s a deal:

You want a setup that runs without throwing a tantrum during your peak gaming moments.

Where the only thing overheating is your opponent’s temper as you smoothly sail through game after game.

For that, you need to pair a processor that works in harmony, delivering smooth, eye-popping graphics.

Right?

So let me give it to you straight. Here are the best CPUs for GTX 1060:

1. Best Overall: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
2. Best for Gaming: Intel Core i5-11600K
3. Best Performance for 1060 6GB: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Best CPU for GTX 1060

You know what? It’s more than just pairing them up.

I wanted to find the CPUs that really click with this GPU, ensuring smooth gameplay without going overboard.

After testing over 9 chips with different games and tasks, I’ve nailed down 3 CPUs that hit the sweet spot:

So, let’s dive into this no-nonsense, fluff-free guide to finding a good CPU for your GTX 1060.

1. AMD Ryzen 5 3600: Best Overall

Want a cool, capable, and cunningly efficient processor to pair with a 1060 card? Check this out.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is definitely a party starter, all thanks to the snappy experience it exhibits. Teaming this budget gaming CPU with the GTX 1060 helps you build that much-anticipated budget PC in no time.

As far as the gaming performance is concerned, the Ryzen 5 3600 bonds really well with the GTX 1060. I tested The Witcher 3 and could gank out impressive numbers — 72.7 FPS — on the highest setting for 1080p. The benchmark scores are pretty decent at 17,773 per the PassMark ratings.

Efficiency-wise, this CPU sports a modest 65W in regards to the TDP levels. This way, the processor remains as cool as a cucumber despite hours of gaming and content creation.

The Zen 2 architecture ensures it remains power-efficient throughout. It works effortlessly with all AM4-compatible motherboards. And yes, all DDR4 RAM modules are welcome.

The CPU comes packed with an ultra-efficient Wraith Stealth Cooler, which keeps the temperature levels in check. Plus, installing this processor for GTX 1060 feels like a charm, all thanks to the prompt BIOS updates.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor isn’t just about the raw power. Instead, it goes one step forward and makes the computing experience even more rewarding, courtesy of tools like Precision Boost 2 and the StoreMI functionality.

And yes, it is the PCIe 4.0 support that future-proofs your PC for those new-gen hardware-related indulgences.

2. Intel Core i5-11600K: Best for Gaming

This one is your ticket to the fast lane in gaming and content creation.

Still searching for the right CPU to jazz up the GTX 1060 graphics card? Well, if you belong to the blue team, I would recommend going for the Intel Core i5-11600K.

It is easily the best CPU to pair with 1060, provided you want a rockstar that can strike the perfect balance between gaming, streaming, and power management.

This processor can accommodate a wide range of SSDs and GPUs, in addition to the GTX 1060, all thanks to the PCIe 4.0 support.

Overall, the Core i5-11600K comes with a decent overclocking potential and can be termed as the best Intel CPU for gaming, provided you want to put together a budget PC.

In case you are only concerned about gaming, here are a few test-based figures. The first game that I tried out was The Witcher 3 at 1080p, and the results were more than satisfactory at 120 fps.

For Valorant at low 1080p, the frame rates were as high as 305 FPS. As for the PassMark benchmark score, this processor receives an average rating of 19,652, beating the previously reviewed Ryzen 5 3600.

When it comes to cooling efficiency, this Intel Core i5 processor isn’t the best.

First of all, it has a higher-than-normal TDP of 125W, which itself can ramp up the heat generation attempts within the case.

Secondly, unlike the Ryzen CPU for gaming I reviewed earlier, this Intel processor lacks an integrated cooler. What’s inspiring is that the LGA1200 socket makes it usable with a host of motherboards.

Looking for other GTX 1060 6GB compatible processors or rather alternatives to this Intel variant?

If your budget is tight and you still want a good CPU for 1060 6GB, the Intel Core i5-10400F can be a good pick. It still manages to reach decent turbo boost speeds of 4.3 GHz and even brings support for Intel Optane memory. And what’s interesting is that despite coming without overclocking support, the low TDP of 65W makes it a decent enough CPU for gaming, provided you plan on using the GTX 1060.

3. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X: High-End Option

For those who dream in pixels and live for the next level – this is for you.

Still looking for a juicer CPU for a 1060 6GB graphics card? If yes, you might want to invest in the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X. For starters, this AMD variant is one of GTX 1060 3GB and 6GB compatible processors.

And it is one of the top-tier rockstars, provided you want to use your PC for something more than gaming.

I tested a few games using the Ryzen 7 5800X and the GTX 1060 and was more than satisfied with the findings. For Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, I maxed out at 85 FPS at 1080p, whereas for Red Dead Redemption 2, at a medium 1080p setting, I maxed out at 48 FPS.

When it comes to the PassMark benchmark scores, this AMD chip scores 27,928, which is at least 8K higher than the Intel Core i5 11th gen unlocked processor that I reviewed earlier, this shows how powerful and efficient the Ryzen 7 5800X is.

This Ryzen 7 chipset sports a TDP of 105W, making it one of the more power-efficient high-end chipsets in sight. And it is built using the 7nm architecture, a trait that keeps it cool under pressure.

In case compatibility is one of your concerns, fret not as this processor goes with almost every AM4-socket motherboard. RAM-wise, all DDR4 modules clocking as high as 3200 MHz.

By the way, we have a guide on the best CPUs for the GTX 1070 as well if you want to check that out too.

Still on the fence about purchasing this CPU?

Let me throw the PCIe 4.0 support and Precision Boost 2 support at you to convince you of its peripheral speeds and excellent gaming throughput.

How to Choose the Right CPU for You

As we’ve already mentioned, the “best CPU” is specific to you and your needs.

If you’re purely concerned with gaming, the Ryzen 5 1600 AF is your best bet.

But if you want to stream those games and maybe edit some videos, using a beefier model like the Ryzen 5 3600 is a better option.

Consider what kind of tasks you’ll be doing, and what kind of performance you’re expecting.

Then you can determine what your budget looks like to meet your needs and purchase a CPU accordingly.

For more information on choosing the best CPU for your PC, read our guide by clicking that link.

GTX 1060 3GB vs GTX 1060 6GB: Which is Best?

The difference between the GTX 1060 3GB and 6GB models is (almost) negligible.

In nearly all gaming scenarios, the GTX 1060 3GB performs roughly 5-7% worse than its 6GB counterpart (at clock speeds).

At the end of the day, it really depends on whether or not you feel the ~$50 saved is worth losing ~5% of your gaming performance.

I would like to note that the 1060 3GB model is more than just a 1060 6GB with less RAM. It’s a different card altogether.

The 3GB model has an entire SM disabled including 1/10 of the card’s processors and half of the VRAM capacity.

Naming the 1060 3GB as a GTX 1060 will confuse buyers into thinking it’s just a 1060 6GB with half the VRAM, but that’s not the case.

In my opinion, the 1060 3GB should not be called a GTX 1060, but of course, component manufacturers messed it up again. Oh well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions I get about this topic:

Can You Use GTX 1060 with AMD?

Yes, you can pair Nvidia GPUs with AMD CPUs, without any compatibility problems. However, you still need to know how to make these two brands work together. For more detailed information, refer to our guide on using Nvidia GPUs with AMD CPUs.

Which CPU is Best for GTX 1060?

There is no single ‘best’ CPU for a graphics card, it depends on your needs. But you can’t go wrong with the Ryzen 5 3600.

What is the Radeon equivalent of GTX 1060?

Most people agree that the RX 480 is the Radeon equivalent of the GTX 1060 6GB model.

Is RX 480 Better than GTX 1060?

The RX 480 and GTX 1060 are practically neck-to-neck when it comes to performance. In some situations, the 1060 wins, such as DX11. But in DX12, the RX 480 wins.

Compare CPUs

If you want to compare different CPUs to help you decide which is best for your 1060, here are some awesome resources for you:

• UserBenchmark
• CPUBoss
• CPU Benchmarks

Wondering if it’s time to upgrade your CPU? Check out our detailed guide on when to upgrade your CPU to ensure your setup is always performing at its best.

Those links should help!

Best CPU for GTX 1060 3GB vs 6GB Models?

A lot of people ask me what the best CPU is for the GTX 1060 3GB, and others ask what the best CPU is for the GTX 1060 6GB.

The truth is, the cards are so similar in performance, that the same CPU will be fine for either one.

That’s not to say the GTX 1060 3GB and the 6GB are the same card though – fundamentally they’re different cards, so I don’t know why NVIDIA decided to confuse their buyers with the weird naming. More on that below.

Anyway, I’d almost always recommend going for the GTX 1060 6GB and pairing it with an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 – that’s probably the best price-performance CPU/GPU combo for 1080p gaming in 2025.

You’ll consistently achieve 60+ FPS in AAA titles at 1080p, using medium/high settings and sometimes ultra settings, depending on the game’s hardware optimization.

But to answer the question in short, the best CPU for the 1060 3GB is pretty much the same as the 1060 6GB.