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Best CPU for the GeForce RTX 2060

Processors that keep up with this card at each resolution.

At 1080p

  1. Ryzen 3 1200 $109 · GPU holds it back 5.6%
  2. Ryzen 3 2200 n/a · GPU holds it back 0.8%
  3. Ryzen 3 2200G $99 · balanced
  4. Ryzen 5 1400 $169 · balanced

At 1440p

  1. Ryzen 3 1200 $109 · balanced
  2. Ryzen 3 2200 n/a · balanced
  3. Ryzen 3 2200G $99 · balanced
  4. Ryzen 5 1400 $169 · balanced

At 4K

  1. Ryzen 3 1200 $109 · balanced
  2. Ryzen 3 2200 n/a · balanced
  3. Ryzen 3 2200G $99 · balanced
  4. Ryzen 5 1400 $169 · balanced

Picks keep the CPU and GPU within 10% of each other. Prices are launch prices, not today’s shelf prices.

Processors for the GeForce RTX 2060 at each resolution

At 1080p the cheapest processor that keeps the GeForce RTX 2060 within 10 percent is the Ryzen 3 1200 (launch price $109), with a gaming index of 20 on the AM4 socket. Next in the list is the Ryzen 3 2200, which is still 0.8% short.

At 1440p the cheapest processor that keeps the GeForce RTX 2060 within 10 percent is the Ryzen 3 1200 (launch price $109), with a gaming index of 20 on the AM4 socket. Next in the list is the Ryzen 3 2200, which is 25.3% more than the card can use.

At 4K the cheapest processor that keeps the GeForce RTX 2060 within 10 percent is the Ryzen 3 1200 (launch price $109), with a gaming index of 20 on the AM4 socket. Next in the list is the Ryzen 3 2200, which is 54.2% more than the card can use.

What it costs and what it fits

For reference, the fastest chip we track, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (index 100), is 78.8% faster than the GeForce RTX 2060 needs at 1080p.

The picks sit on AM4 (4) sockets, released between 2017 and 2026.

Questions

What is the best CPU for the GeForce RTX 2060?

At 1080p, a processor like the Ryzen 3 1200 is enough to avoid a CPU bottleneck above 10%. Faster is fine but gives little extra in games with this card.

What is the cheapest CPU for the GeForce RTX 2060 at 1440p?

The Ryzen 3 1200 (index 20, launch price $109) is the cheapest chip in our list that keeps the card within 10 percent at 1440p.

Updated October 3, 2026