Nvidia’s new GTX 1660 Ti is a completely different series in itself though the name suggests the opposite. In simple words, 1660 Ti is a GTX 1070 but at a much lower price of around $200-$250.
The card has some serious power that can be unleashed if used with a decent processor which will easily let it max out every game at 1080p or even at 1440p with high to ultra settings with over 60+fps which is really good even in 2022.
For this purpose, I have listed out the best processors for this GPU if you own this or are planning to buy it for your Gaming build. Do drop a comment if you are confused about choosing the processor or building your PC.
Best CPUs For GTX 1660 Ti
Intel Core i3 10100F
- 10th Generation Intel Core i3 Processor
- 4 Cores; 8 Threads
- 4.30 GHz Max Turbo Frequency, 3.60 GHz Processor...
- 6 MB Intel Smart Cache
Right now we have dozens of great CPUs that fall in the price range of $100-$200 but most processors under $150 will get the job done properly. But what about under $100?
Yes, we have one great processor under $100 too that is going to give the best value for your money. In no terms, the i3 10100F is the fastest budget processor but currently, it is the best gaming CPU for less than $100 that can handle most mid-range graphics cards easily.
The i3 10100F features 4 cores and 8 threads at a base/boost clock speed of 3.6/4.3GHz. The processor is based on a 14nm process node but is still power efficient with a TDP of 65W. It will be be compatible with an LGA 1200 motherboard that offers various locked chipsets that will support the i3 10100F out of the box without any problems.
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
- Item Package Dimension: 5.43L x 5.27W x 2.86H...
- Item Package Weight - 0.97 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - COMPUTER PROCESSOR
If you need more cores and more threads for the long run, then you need to spend a little more and the Ryzen 5 5500 is yours. This fantastic 6-core processor is currently the cheapest Ryzen 6-core CPU that blows my mind when it comes to gaming performance.
It is at least 10% faster than the i3 10100F and has comparatively lower usage in games due to more cores/threads. It is clocked at 3.6GHz and can have a boost of up to 4.2GHz. Good thing is that it is not limited to 4.2GHz as it is overclockable and can be overclocked even further with a decent cooling solution.
The Ryzen 5500 is compatible with the AM4 socket from AMD and you can buy any budget B450 or B550 chipset motherboard to overclock this beast without paying an extra cent.
Intel Core i3 12100F
- Intel Core i3-12100F Desktop Processor 4 (4P-0E)...
- Item Package Dimension: 10.469L x 10.30W x 6.72H...
- Item Package Weight - 1.49 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
Meet the big brother of the i3 10100F, the i3 12100F is a significantly faster CPU with the same amount of cores and threads. It features superior single-core and multi-threaded performance that offers up to 5% more performance in some games than the Ryzen 5500 but is essentially equally powerful to the latter.
The great thing is that it is priced very competitively and is generally equivalent in cost to the 5500. The only drawback, however, is that you will get fewer cores and threads. The i3 12100F features 4 cores and 8 threads which might be a problem for some but if your main concern is gaming, this is a great start.
It features a clock speed of 3.3GHz that can reach up to 4.3GHz with turbo boost technology. The cache size is also increased over the i3 10100F and now you have a more powerful and well-performing budget gaming CPU for $110.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
- Item Package Dimension: 5.40L x 5.27W x 2.90H...
- Item Package Weight - 0.95 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - COMPUTER PROCESSOR
Last but not least, the Ryzen 5600 is the bigger sibling of the 5500. It is essentially the 5500 but with faster clock speeds and more L3 cache. The core and thread count remain the same but the boost clock is increased by 200MHz.
The L3 cache memory is doubled which is one of the most beneficial features of the Ryzen 5000 series that helps it to improve gaming performance. As the Zen 3 architecture allows utilization of all the L3 cache memory by all 6 cores, you will gain a few percent better performance over the 5500.
This is, in my opinion, the best gaming CPU you can use with the Geforce GTX 1660 Ti that can play games without any stutter or fps drops on ultra settings at 1080p.
Final Words
While a 4-core CPU like the i3 10100F or 12100F will be sufficient, it is always better to settle with at least a 6-core CPU for future purposes. The Ryzen 5500 is a fantastic choice in my opinion and will make the best CPU-GPU combo with the GTX 1660 Ti.
