Best GPUs to Pair with Ryzen 5 5500 in 2024

Ever imagine which will be the best GPU for your Ryzen 5 5500, not breaking the bank and at the same time, not driving the system crazy? Quite a commonplace problem, to be sure. Striking a balance with the cost, performance, and compatibility in 2024 can be likened to walking through a maze. Got you covered, though. This article cuts through the confusion and pinpoints the very best graphics cards for your needs; they should neither bottleneck your CPU nor break the bank while being powerful enough to keep your games and projects running smooth at 1080p—or even 1440p.

Realizing the price really does matter when it comes to making the final decision, we do not show only high-end possible options, but draw your attention to those hidden great offers that do give super performance without a big price tag. So, whether your aim is gaming or content creation, we are going to help you find the GPU that matches up well with the Ryzen 5 5500 for maximum system performance in either scenario. Dive in and get no-nonsense advice along with expert recommendations to help you make an informed decision, getting maximum value and performance from your money.

With a Ryzen 5 5500, considering to pair with a GPU, consider the 3060, the RX 6600, RX 6650XT, especially for 1080p, 1440p gaming. The GTX 1660 Super and GTX 1650 Super bring the best cost-to-performance ratio for buttery gaming while using this Ryzen 5 5500, having budget options for the same.

Related: Best GPU For Ryzen 5 5600G

Best GPU for Ryzen 5 5500

1. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super

GPU key features

If you’re working with a tight budget but still want to get your game on at 1080p resolution, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super is a solid option to consider. This affordable little graphics card can run most modern titles pretty darn well, as long as you don’t try to max out every single visual setting. You’ll likely need to dial some of those options down to medium or high instead of ultra, but gameplay should still be nice and smooth overall.

The 1650 Super is actually a great pairing with an affordable but capable CPU like the Ryzen 5 5500. These two components mesh really well for 1080p gaming rigs without making your wallet cry. Just don’t expect to crank up all the eye candy to insane levels on the latest AAA games – even budget builds have their limits, ya know?

But overall, the GTX 1650 Super totally nails that sweet spot for gamers on a budget. It delivers solid 1080p performance at a reasonable price, especially when paired with a processor like the Ryzen 5. It’s not gonna blow your mind, but it’ll definitely get the job done for entry-level to mid-range 1080p gaming setups without too much fuss. Not bad at all for the cost!

Reasons to Buy

• Excellent Value for Money: The GPU offers a significant bang for your buck, ideal for those on a strict budget.
• Optimized for 1080p Gaming: It provides a seamless experience for gamers focused on 1080p resolution, ensuring smooth gameplay.
• Suitable for Casual and Mid-Tier Gamers: It strikes a perfect balance between performance and cost, catering to the needs of casual gamers.
• Energy Efficient: The GTX 1650 Super doesn’t require much power, making it an efficient choice for a gaming setup.
• No Bottlenecking: It works in harmony with the Ryzen 5 5500, ensuring that neither component hinders the performance of the other.

Reasons to Not Buy

• Not for High-End Gaming: The GTX 1650 Super struggles with ultra-demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, particularly at higher resolutions.

2. AMD Radeon RX 6600

GPU key features

Looking for a solid GPU that can handle all your games without emptying your wallet? The AMD Radeon RX 6600 might just be the answer. This card packs enough punch to run most titles at 1080p with those graphics settings cranked up to high or even very high. And if you’ve got a 1440p monitor, it can still put in some decent work on a good number of games too.

The RX 6600 really hits that sweet spot of giving you great bang for your buck. It’s an affordable option that still brings the performance, especially when paired with a capable budget CPU like the Ryzen 5 5500. You get smooth, high-quality 1080p gaming without having to take out a second mortgage.

Now, don’t expect miracles at higher resolutions like 1440p – the RX 6600 ain’t a 1440p beast or anything. But it’ll still let you bump up the details nicely on plenty of titles while gaming on a solid 1440p display. Just maybe avoid maxing out ALL the settings if you want those silky frame rates.

The one little downside is that ray tracing ain’t this card’s strong suit compared to some others out there. If you’re a stickler for those real-time lighting effects, you might want to look elsewhere. But for regular rasterized gaming? The RX 6600 brings the goods at a price that won’t make you cringe.

Reasons to Buy

• Affordability: Priced between $200 and $210, the GPU offers excellent value for its robust performance.
• Strong 1080p Performance: The RX 6600 excels in running most games at maximum graphics settings in 1080p.
• Energy Efficient: The RX 6600’s low power consumption means it only requires a 450W power supply, contributing to its cost-effectiveness.
• No Bottleneck: Works seamlessly with the Ryzen 5 5500, ensuring that neither component hinders the other’s performance.

Reasons to Not Buy

• Not Suited for Highest Settings in 1440p: While it can handle some 1440p gaming, it’s not built for the highest settings in this resolution.
• May Not Satisfy Hardcore Gamers: Gamers seeking the best resolutions and ultra-high settings may find their performance lacking.

3. Intel Arc A750

GPU Key Features

If you’re trying to put together a dope rig without blowing your whole bankroll, this combo is seriously worth a look, no cap. The A750 is low-key the value king when it comes to GPUs right now.

For real, this card straight-up over-delivers in the best way possible for the price point. We’re talking buttery smooth performance-crushing 1080p games, while still putting in that respectable work at 1440p too. But here’s the crazy part – it even has ray-tracing support enabled for some graphically intense titles like Control and Cyberpunk 2077. You might have to dial back a setting or two to really maximize that ray tracing eye candy, but having that level of visual flex on a mid-range GPU?

When you pair it up with AMD’s 5500 chip, you get yourself a nice balanced combo that just vibes together perfectly for extended gaming sessions. Neither component is so over-the-top powerful that it bottlenecks the other one. Just a smooth, seamless experience without any wonky hitches or stutters killing your immersion, feel me?

But real talk, the main draw of the Arc A750 is just how much friggin’ value it brings to the table if you’re balling on a budget. It legitimately brings way more performance than you’d expect based on the cost alone. Yeah, it ain’t gonna dethrone the big dog GPUs out there. But for the price? This card punches so far above its weight class for what it can handle graphics-wise.

Paired up with that solid 5500 Ryzen CPU, you end up with this whole gaming package that just hits differently in terms of extracting maximum bang for your buck without going full whale and emptying your wallet, know what I’m saying? If ray tracing and pushing high resolutions are your targets, but you don’t want to mortgage the house, the A750 needs to be high key on your shortlist of GPU options.

At the end of the day, it’s a legitimately quality all-around GPU option that just nails that sweet spot of balancing price and performance. You really can’t hate on that level of value when you’re trying to maximize every hard-earned dollar spent on your build, ya dig? The Arc A750 is the truth when it comes to affordable graphical performance.

Reasons to Buy

• Affordable Ray Tracing: Offers the luxury of experiencing ray-traced games at a more accessible price point.
• Versatile Performance: Efficiently handles various gaming scenarios, excelling in 1080p and performing well in 1440p.
• Competitive Pricing: At approximately $200, it presents a high-performance alternative to more expensive GPUs from competitors like Nvidia or AMD..
• Balance of Affordability and Performance: Presents a unique value proposition, especially when considering ray tracing, making it an optimal choice for budget-conscious gamers seeking quality.

Reasons to Not Buy

• Not for Ultra-Setting: Gamers seeking the highest settings and top-tier performance across all titles may find it underwhelming.

4. AMD Radeon RX 6650XT

GPU Key Features

For those building a mid-range gaming rig around AMD’s Ryzen 5 5500 processor on a budget, AMD has cooked up the perfect graphics card – the Radeon RX 6650 XT. This GPU manages to give great gaming performance without forcing you to take out a second mortgage.

The RX 6650 XT is the rebel hero of AMD’s mid-range squad. It’s packing 8GB of video memory to work with and can boost its clocks up to a blistering 2635 MHz when needed. Using AMD’s super tiny 7nm manufacturing process, they managed to cram a ton of power into this little chip. And with a reasonable 176W power consumption, it won’t turn your gaming battlestation into a fire hazard either.

For 1080p and 1440p gaming, the 6650 XT is an absolute beast. Games will look liquid smooth with those high frame rates. The only situation where it might hiccup is games going overboard with crazy ray tracing effects – those could bring this card to its knees. But paired up with the Ryzen 5500, you can expect a nice balanced dance between the CPU and GPU with no slowdown tango.

At the end of the day, the RX 6650 XT is the Goldilocks zone GPU for mid-range Ryzen 5500 builds. It hits that sweet spot of awesome 1080p/1440p gaming chops without making your wallet cry. If you’re working with a tighter budget but still want to game like a boss, this AMD card deserves to be at the very top of your shortlist.

Reasons to Buy

• Balanced Performance: Delivers reliable gaming at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.
• Power Efficiency: Features a low TDP of 176W, promoting cooler, quieter operation.
• Ideal for Mid-Tier Gamers: Perfect for players seeking high-quality performance without needing the most advanced graphics card.
• Complements Ryzen 5 5500: Performance aligns with the CPU, avoiding bottlenecks and optimizing gaming experiences.
• Punches Above Its Weight: Offers commendable performance in traditional gaming, even if not designed for intensive ray tracing.
• Great Value: Provides a strong balance between cost and capability, especially compared to competitors like the RTX 3060.

Reasons to Not Buy

• Not a Ray Tracing GPU: This may not satisfy gamers who prioritize ray tracing technology over raw FPS.

5. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060

GPU Key Features

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. Offering a sweet spot between affordability and top-notch performance, the RTX 3060 has established itself as the preferred choice for many. Whether you’re looking to dominate in the latest titles or venture into the area of content creation, let’s assess how the RTX 3060 can elevate your Ryzen 5 5500 build.

Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060 boasts a commendable 12GB VRAM. Its clock speeds oscillate between a base of 1320 MHz and can ramp up to 1777 MHz. Built on the efficient 8nm process size and maintaining a TDP of just 170W, the RTX 3060 encapsulates both power and efficiency.

In both 1080p and 1440p gaming, the RTX 3060 stands as a reliable choice. The pair of the RTX 3060 and Ryzen 5 5500 ensures a seamless gaming experience, one that’s harmonized and balanced. But RTX 3060 is more focused on 1080p gaming than 1440p.

To wrap it up, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 is one of the best-recommended GPUs for the Ryzen 5 5500 because it performs well in every aspect, whether you are going to play games at 1080p or even 1440p or if you want to do some productivity tasks with its 12GB of VRAM. All of this comes with a fair price point, whether you’re finding it in the new or used market.

Reasons to Buy

• Optimal for 1080p Gaming: This is the best choice for gamers prioritizing 1080p resolution, offering strong performance specifically at this resolution.
• Large VRAM: Equipped with 12GB of VRAM, it is beneficial for both gaming and productivity tasks without breaking the bank.
• Ideal CPU-GPU Match: Pairs excellently with the Ryzen 5 5500, enhancing gaming and productivity performance due to the compatible mid-tier levels and the CPU’s 6 cores.
• Straightforward Compatibility and Setup: Easy pairing with the Ryzen 5 5500, with attention to the TDP of 170W for PSU compatibility.

Reasons to Not Buy

• Not for Extreme Gaming Setups: Its mid-tier nature might not suit those looking for the highest-end gaming experiences or those intending to use extremely demanding applications beyond its specifications.

Final Thoughts!

For the budget-conscious builders pairing their Ryzen 5 5500 with a GPU, there are some excellent value options out there. Nvidia’s GTX 1650 Super and Intel’s Arc A750 may not blow you away with performance, but they’ll get the job done on a tight budget without leaving your wallet dry.

When you’ve got a bit more flexibility in your build fund, you’ll want to look at the mid-range masters. AMD’s Radeon RX 6650 XT is a stellar 1080p/1440p gaming companion that won’t break the bank. And Nvidia’s RTX 3060 is an incredibly versatile card that juggles gaming prowess with enough VRAM for budding video editors and 3D artists.

But if we’re being honest here, the RTX 3060 is the GPU I’d personally recommend pairing with that Ryzen 5 5500. This Nvidia card just hits all the sweet spots. It’ll munch through the latest games at 1080p like a hungryHippo, while still delivering very playable performance at 1440p. And with a massive 12GB of VRAM, it’s got the muscle for some light productivity work too when you need it.

The real kicker though? The RTX 3060 somehow manages to pack all that performance into a card that doesn’t completely rob you blind on price. Whether you’re snagging one brand new or finding a decent used deal, you’re getting incredible bang for your buck with this GPU. For a well-balanced mid-range Ryzen build aimed at 1080p/1440p gaming with just a touch of creative work mixed in, the RTX 3060 is pretty much the total package in my books.