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The GTX 1660 Super is a 1080p workhorse, so the goal when picking a CPU is avoiding a bottleneck without overspending on cores the GPU can’t take advantage of. A 6-core CPU in the $80-150 range is the sweet spot for most builds.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | $70-$90 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | $65-$85 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | $120-$150 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Intel Core i5-12400F | $110-$140 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Intel Core i5-12600K | $180-$230 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
A long-time value favorite — 6 cores/12 threads that keep pace with the 1660 Super without bottlenecking in most games.
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- AM4 socket, wide motherboard compatibility
- Includes stock cooler
- Excellent price-to-performance
- Huge AM4 platform/upgrade ecosystem
- Older architecture than newer 5000-series chips
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
A budget 5000-series chip with performance close to the 3600 at a similar or lower price.
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- AM4 socket
- Newer core architecture than the 3600
- Very affordable
- Modern efficiency improvements over 3000-series
- Lacks integrated graphics and PCIe 4.0 support
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
A step up in single-core performance that pairs especially well with the 1660 Super for 144Hz esports titles.
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- Higher boost clocks than the 3600/5500
- AM4 socket
- Best price-to-performance in the Ryzen 5000 lineup
- Strong 1080p/144Hz gaming performance
- Costs more than the 3600/5500 for a modest gain the 1660 Super may not fully use
Intel Core i5-12400F
A strong Intel counterpart with 6 cores that comfortably hits 144+ FPS in competitive titles.
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- LGA1700 socket
- No integrated graphics (F-suffix, cheaper)
- Excellent 1080p gaming performance
- Competitive pricing vs. Ryzen equivalents
- Requires a newer/pricier LGA1700 motherboard
Intel Core i5-12600K
A higher-end option with more headroom for CPU-heavy games and light streaming/content work alongside the 1660 Super.
- 10 cores (6P+4E) / 16 threads
- Unlocked for overclocking
- LGA1700 socket
- Strong all-around gaming and productivity performance
- Overclockable for extra headroom
- More CPU than the 1660 Super alone needs for pure gaming
Buying tips
- A 6-core/12-thread CPU is the practical minimum for smooth 1080p/144Hz gaming today — don’t go below that even on a budget build.
- Don’t overspend on a CPU far above this GPU’s tier; the 1660 Super will be the bottleneck in most games before a mid-range CPU is.
- Check socket/motherboard compatibility before buying — AM4 (Ryzen) and LGA1700 (12th-gen Intel) are not interchangeable.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.