Is a GTX 1660 with a Ryzen 5 2600 Good for Gaming in 2021?

If you are looking to build a budget-friendly gaming PC, a combination of a GTX 1660 and a Ryzen 5 2600 can indeed provide a very good performance. Both these components are excellent choices, especially if you are on a tight budget and want a solid mid-range build for gaming and day-to-day tasks. However, before making your decision, it’s essential to consider other factors such as future-proofing and potential upgrades. This article will explore the capabilities of this combo and provide insights into the trade-offs involved.

Overview of the Components

Ryzen 5 2600

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is a six-core, twelve-thread processor that offers a lot of bang for your buck. It is a mid-range CPU that can handle a variety of tasks, including gaming. The Ryzen 5 2600 is capable of overclocking, which can provide an extra boost in performance for those who are tech-savvy. This can be a significant advantage if you want to extract the best possible performance from the system.

GTX 1660

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 is a popular GPU that delivers smooth and consistent performance at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. With its 6GB of GDDR6 memory, it can handle most modern games without any issue. The GTX 1660 is a great choice for players who want a solid mid-range GPU that can deliver reliable performance for a variety of titles, including esports and some AAA games at moderate settings.

Why It Works Well Together

The combination of the Ryzen 5 2600 and the GTX 1660 is a solid choice for those who want a balanced gaming PC. The Ryzen 5 2600, with its six cores and twelve threads, can handle a wide range of tasks, including multi-threaded workloads and gaming. The GTX 1660, with its powerful GPU, can handle most modern games at 1440p resolution with 1080p settings. Together, they can provide a well-rounded gaming experience without straining your budget.

Optimal Setup

For optimal performance, make sure you have the following:

A 144Hz or higher refresh rate monitor for a smooth gaming experience. A quality power supply unit (PSU) that can handle the power requirements of both the CPU and the GPU. At least 8GB of RAM for a smooth multitasking experience. A good cooling system to ensure both the CPU and GPU stay within safe operating temperatures.

Future-Proofing and Upgrade Path

While the Ryzen 5 2600 and the GTX 1660 are solid choices, they may not be the pinnacle of what is currently available in the market. If you can extend your budget, consider upgrading to a more powerful CPU and GPU. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or even the AMD Ryzen 5 350 are excellent choices. These processors offer better performance, are more future-proof, and have better integration with the latest motherboards and memory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the NVIDIA GTX 1660 can provide a solid gaming experience in 2021. However, if you want to future-proof your build or have a slightly better performance, extending your budget to get a more powerful CPU and GPU, such as the Ryzen 5 3600 or 350, can be a worthy investment. Whether you are on a tight budget or looking for a solid mid-range build, the Ryzen 5 2600 with the GTX 1660 is a great choice for gaming and day-to-day tasks.