Best CPU and GPU Combo Guide for Gaming
Like many gamers, I continue to find the best combinations of CPU and GPU within various budgets. If you are also the person who is curious about the different best combinations of cpu and gpu, you are at the right place. Your search for best CPU and GPU combo will end after reading this article.
Don’t waste money on mismatched parts. This guide shows you tested CPU and GPU combos that eliminate bottlenecks and give you maximum performance. No matter you’re on a budget or building a high-end setup.
Why Choosing the Right CPU and GPU Combo Matters
A powerful GPU won’t help if your CPU can’t keep up, and vice versa. Bottlenecks happen when one part slows the other down. The goal is to build a PC where your CPU and GPU work in sync.
The best CPU and GPU combo is one where both parts perform at similar levels. That gives you the highest FPS and smooth gameplay, without spending extra money on hardware that sits unused.
Best Budget CPU and GPU Combos (0–5% Bottleneck)
These combos are great for 1080p gaming in titles like Fortnite, CS2, and Apex Legends.
|
CPU |
GPU |
Bottleneck |
FPS (1080p) |
Price Range |
|
Ryzen 5 5500 |
RX 6600 |
1–3% |
90–130 FPS |
$350–$400 |
|
Intel i3-12100F |
GTX 1660 Super |
0–2% |
80–100 FPS |
$300–$350 |
|
Ryzen 5 5600G |
RTX 3050 |
4–5% |
85–110 FPS |
$350–$420 |
These builds run cool and don’t require premium power supplies or aftermarket cooling.
Best Mid-Range CPU and GPU Combos (0–5% Bottleneck)
These are ideal for gamers playing at 1080p high settings or 1440p resolution.
|
CPU |
GPU |
Bottleneck |
FPS (1440p) |
Price Range |
|
Ryzen 5 7600 |
RX 6750 XT |
0–1% |
95–120 FPS |
$600–$700 |
|
Intel i5-13400F |
RTX 3060 Ti |
2–4% |
90–115 FPS |
$600–$680 |
|
Ryzen 7 5700X |
RX 6700 XT |
0% |
100–125 FPS |
$580–$650 |
1440p shifts the load more toward the GPU, which helps to reduce CPU bottlenecks.
Best High-End CPU and GPU Combos for Gaming (2025 Builds)
If you’re targeting 4K resolution, max settings, or high refresh rate gaming, these are your best picks.
|
CPU |
GPU |
Bottleneck |
FPS (4K) |
Price Range |
|
Intel i7-13700K |
RTX 4070 Ti |
2–5% |
80–110 FPS |
$1,100+ |
|
Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
RX 7900 XT |
0% |
95–120 FPS |
$1,200+ |
|
Intel i9-13900K |
RTX 4090 |
5–10%* |
100–150 FPS |
$2,000+ |
🚨 Note: RTX 4090 is extremely powerful — even top CPUs hit limits. Still, it’s unbeatable for FPS and 4K graphics.
What Counts as a Safe Bottleneck?
A small bottleneck is totally fine. If it’s under 10%, you’re good. The best CPU and GPU combos usually stay below 5%. But don’t stress too much about numbers — real game performance matters more than just percentages.
How to Check CPU-GPU Bottlenecks Before Buying
If you want to see if your CPU and GPU are working well together, you can use bottleneck calculator to get a quick idea.
You can also watch gameplay videos on YouTube or check builds on Reddit to see how your combo performs in real games. While playing games, check your usage stats. If your CPU is working really hard (like 95% or more) and your GPU isn’t doing much, it means your CPU is the one slowing things down.
Quick Picks: Best CPU and GPU Combos by Build Type
|
Goal |
CPU + GPU |
Resolution |
Bottleneck |
|
Budget 1080p |
Ryzen 5 5500 + RX 6600 |
1080p |
1–3% |
|
Mid-Range 1440p |
Ryzen 7 5700X + RX 6700 XT |
1440p |
0% |
|
High-End 4K |
Ryzen 7 7800X3D + RX 7900 XT |
4K |
0% |
🔗 Related Posts to Help You Build Right
- Games Bottleneck Calculator Tool
- FPS Calculator vs Bottleneck Calculator
- Best Graphics Cards for Gaming in 2025
