AMD’s Ryzen 5 3500 is a 6-core, 12-thread CPU with good performance for the price. It’s one of the best gaming CPUs, capable of handling even the most demanding games without breaking a sweat. When combined with a strong GPU, the Ryzen 5 3500 has the potential to give some serious gaming performance. So, which GPU is appropriate for the Ryzen 5 3500? We’ve put together a list of some of the top GPUs available for use with AMD’s Ryzen 5 3500 CPU. We’ve got you covered whether you’re looking for something cheap or want to max up your graphics settings.
What are the best GPUs for the Ryzen 5 3500?
Here are our top recommendations for the best GPUs for Ryzen 5 3500:
GPUs For Ryzen 5 3500 | VRAM | Ideal For |
---|---|---|
GTX 1650 Super | 4 GB | 1080p gaming at medium-high settings |
RX 6600 | 8 GB | 1080p gaming at high settings |
RTX 3060 | 12 GB | 1080p gaming with high-max settings |
1. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super

Memory Size [VRAM] | 4 GB |
Clock | 1530 MHz – 1725 MHz |
Process Size | 12 nm |
TDP | 300 W |
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super is a reliable and cost-effective GPU option, particularly suitable for those who are on a tight budget or seeking a decent graphics card for 1080p gaming at medium to high graphics settings. With a memory size of 4 GB, this GPU provides sufficient VRAM to handle most modern games and applications effectively.
The GTX 1650 Super is its clock speed range, which operates between 1530 MHz and 1725 MHz. This clock speed range ensures smooth performance and allows the GPU to handle demanding graphics tasks efficiently. The GTX 1650 Super is built on a 12 nm process size, which contributes to its power efficiency and helps to keep the overall power consumption at a reasonable level.
When it comes to gaming benchmarks, the GTX 1650 Super showcases its capabilities across a range of popular games.
Fortnite:
1080p resolution, Medium graphics settings: The GTX 1650 Super delivers around 93 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay and responsive visuals.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider:
At 1080p resolution, Max graphics settings: Expect the GPU to achieve around 60 FPS, providing a smooth and enjoyable gaming session.
CS:GO:
1080p resolution, high graphics settings: The GPU performs exceptionally well, delivering around 240 FPS, resulting in fluid and responsive gameplay.
In summary, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super is an excellent choice for gamers seeking a budget-friendly GPU that can handle 1080p gaming at medium to high graphics settings. With its 4 GB VRAM, efficient clock speeds, and reasonable power consumption, it strikes a balance between performance and affordability, making it a suitable companion for the Ryzen 5 3500 processor.
2. AMD Radeon RX 6600

Memory Size [VRAM] | 8 GB |
Clock | 1626 MHz – 2044 MHz |
Process Size | 7 nm |
TDP | 132 W |
The AMD Radeon RX 6600 is a top-tier GPU option specifically designed for exceptional 1080p gaming performance. When paired with the Ryzen 5 3500 processor, the RX 6600 showcases its strengths, making it an ideal choice for gamers seeking maximum graphical fidelity and smooth gameplay without any compromises.
One of the standout features of the RX 6600 is its ability to handle most games at maximum graphic settings and 1080p resolution seamlessly. If you are looking to achieve the best performance at 1080p, the RX 6600 proves to be an excellent GPU choice for the Ryzen 5 3500.
Equipped with 8 GB of VRAM, the RX 6600 provides ample memory capacity to handle modern games and demanding applications effectively. The RX 6600 operates with clock speeds ranging from 1626 MHz to 2044 MHz, enabling it to handle graphics-intensive tasks efficiently. With its 7 nm process size, the GPU achieves a balance between power efficiency and performance, delivering impressive results without excessive power consumption.
Let’s take a look at the gaming benchmarks to gauge the performance of the AMD Radeon RX 6600 in various popular games:
Cyberpunk 2077:
1080p resolution, high graphics settings: The RX 6600 delivers approximately 55-60 FPS, ensuring a visually stunning experience with smooth gameplay.
Horizon Zero Dawn:
1080p resolution, Ultimate graphics settings: The RX 6600 maintains a solid performance of approximately 87 FPS, allowing for a visually captivating and smooth gaming experience.
Rainbow Six Siege:
1440p resolution, Ultra graphics settings: The RX 6600 delivers impressive performance, achieving approximately 159 FPS, resulting in fluid and responsive gameplay.
These benchmark results highlight the capabilities of the AMD Radeon RX 6600 when paired with the Ryzen 5 3500 processor. With its 8 GB of VRAM, efficient clock speeds, and optimized power consumption, the RX 6600 offers exceptional performance for 1080p gaming, delivering stunning visuals and smooth gameplay across a variety of popular titles.
3. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060

Memory Size [VRAM] | 12 GB |
Clock | 1320 MHz – 1777 MHz |
Process Size | 8 nm |
TDP | 170 W |
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 is the recommended GPU for pairing with the Ryzen 5 3500 processor, offering an optimal balance between gaming performance and compatibility. This GPU ensures that you do not compromise on gaming performance while utilizing the capabilities of the Ryzen 5 3500 effectively.
One of the key advantages of the RTX 3060 is its ability to deliver high-performance gameplay with impressive FPS. Running games at high graphics settings becomes a seamless experience, allowing for visually stunning and immersive gameplay. By opting for the RTX 3060, you can enjoy smooth gaming sessions without sacrificing graphical fidelity.
It’s important to note that the recommendation for the RTX 3060 as the best GPU for the Ryzen 5 3500 is based on avoiding potential bottlenecks and ensuring compatibility. While higher-end graphics cards exist, pairing them with the Ryzen 5 3500 may lead to a CPU bottleneck, limiting the overall performance potential. Therefore, the RTX 3060 strikes a perfect balance, providing excellent 1080p gaming performance without overwhelming the capabilities of the Ryzen 5 3500 processor.
With a nice 12 GB of memory size, the RTX 3060 offers ample VRAM capacity to handle modern games and demanding applications effectively. This allows for smooth rendering of high-resolution textures and supports advanced graphical features, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
The RTX 3060 operates with clock speeds ranging from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz, ensuring efficient performance across a range of gaming scenarios. Built on an 8 nm process size, this GPU achieves a balance between power efficiency and performance, providing impressive results without excessive power consumption.
To provide a glimpse of the gaming performance you can expect with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 and Ryzen 5 3500, here are some benchmark results:
Shadow of the Tomb Raider:
1440p resolution, max graphics settings: The RTX 3060 delivers approximately 83 FPS, providing a visually stunning and smooth gaming experience.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla:
1080p resolution, Ultra graphics settings: The RTX 3060 maintains a solid performance of approximately 63 FPS, offering an enjoyable gaming experience.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla:
1440p resolution, ultra graphics settings: Expect a stable frame rate of around 185 FPS, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
These benchmark results highlight the capabilities of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 when paired with the Ryzen 5 3500 processor. With its 12 GB of VRAM, efficient clock speeds, and optimized power consumption, the RTX 3060 offers outstanding 1080p gaming performance, ensuring stunning visuals and smooth gameplay across a variety of demanding titles.
Summary
Looking for the ideal GPU to pair with your Ryzen 5 3500? We’ve compared three GPUs – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super, AMD Radeon RX 6600, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 – to help you make an informed decision. This article focuses on their VRAM capacity and their suitability for optimal gaming performance with the Ryzen 5 3500.