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5 Best CPU-GPU Combos Under $600

By / Tech / August 26, 2025

Here are the best GPU-CPU combinations your money can buy under $600, enough for a seamless 1080p and 1440p gaming experience.

5 Best CPU-GPU Combos Under $600
An image showing PC parts (Image via Intel | AMD | Zotac)

With the increasing number of Unreal Engine 5 titles, gaming optimization is nearly extinct. Budget gamers looking forward to playing AAA titles have to choose between watching YouTube videos or skipping the title altogether. Many people hold off on upgrading their old hardware simply because the new hardware is not exciting.

Below are a few combinations, put together from used and new parts from the last generation, making great budget pairs that will at least help run modern AAA titles with heavily tuned in-game settings.

Also Read: 5 Best Mid-Range Laptops To Play Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater

1. Intel i5-12400F + RX 6600 XT (Used) ($259)

An image showing the 12400f budget build
12400f budget build (Image via Intel | ASRock)

The 12400F alongside the RX 6600 XT (used) makes a great e-sports gaming PC, and one that is capable of playing AAA games on low to medium settings. The 12400F is very power-efficient, requiring a very cheap H-series motherboard to power it. The new RX 6600 XT costs over $350, making it not recommended to purchase new.

2. AMD Ryzen 5 5600 + RTX 3060 12GB ($365)

An image showing the 5600 and RTX 3060 build
5600 and RTX 3060 build (Image via AMD | Gigabyte)

The 3060 can still be found brand new, and it makes an incredible entry-level option even in 2025. The 12GB VRAM is a significant advantage over 8GB, allowing gamers to play games at higher textures without running out of VRAM during loading. Performance-wise, the 3060 sits between the 5050, 4060, and the 5060, making it more than sufficient for low to medium settings in AAA games.

3. AMD Ryzen 5 5600 + RX 9060 XT 16GB ($494)

An image showing the 5600 and RX 9060 XT build
5600 and RX 9060 XT build (Image via AMD | Powercolor)

Under $500, this is probably the fastest combination one could aim for. The 16GB 9060 XT should easily load up hard-to-run games and provide a playable experience at 1080p or even 1440p. The 16GB VRAM is not running out anytime soon; together with the Ryzen 5 5600, it is a sweet combination.

4. AMD Ryzen 5 5600 + RTX 5060 ($414) 

An image showing the 5600 and RTX 5060 build
5600 and RTX 5060 build (Image via AMD | Zotac)

Gamers seeking the latest Nvidia DLSS features in a GPU and a preference for Team Green may consider the RTX 5060 alongside the 5600 as a sweet combination. The only drawback is the 8GB VRAM, which can cause issues in modern AAA titles when trying to load higher texture and shading values.

5. AMD Ryzen 5 7600 + RX 9060 XT 16GB ($541)

An image showing the 7600 and RX 9060 XT build
7600 and RX 9060 XT build (Image via AMD | Powercolor)

For under $600, this is one of the fastest combinations you can pick up. Not only will this be more future-proof, but it will also utilize the additional CPU power offered by the 7600. Gamers willing to tweak their 7600 can extract significantly more performance from it. Together with the 9060 XT, under $600, this is some serious firepower.

Verdict

These builds will require a motherboard and memory cost in case the build needs to be done from scratch. Gamers who already have memory, storage, and other peripherals may pick accordingly based on their budget and brand preference. As for GPUs, MSRP models are mentioned. Pricing data is accurate as of August 26, 2025, and is subject to change without notice.

Also Read: Upgrade Your PC for $60 Less With the ASUS TUF RTX 5060

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