Testing the RTX 3060 12GB | Ryzen 5 5600X | 18 Games Benchmarked for FPS and 1% Lows

Building a budget gaming PC that delivers solid performance at 1080p is a goal for many gamers. The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is one of the most popular mid-range setups in 2023. We put this system to the test across 18 games, measuring average FPS and 1% low FPS to see how it handles modern titles at various settings. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the results and how this budget build performs.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

• Architecture: Zen 3
• Cores: 6
• Threads: 12
• Base Clock: 3.7 GHz
• Boost Clock: Up to 4.6 GHz
• Cache: 32 MB L3 Cache
• TDP: 65W
• Socket: AM4

MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Gaming X 12GB

• GPU: NVIDIA Ampere Architecture
• Memory: 12GB GDDR6
• Memory Interface: 192-bit
• Core Clock: 1837 MHz (Boost)
• Cooling: Twin Frozr 8 with dual Torx 4.0 fans
• Ray Tracing Cores: 2nd Generation
• TDP: 170W
• Outputs: 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort

This build is designed to deliver excellent 1080p gaming performance without breaking the bank. The Ryzen 5 5600X provides strong single-threaded performance, while the RTX 3060 12GB offers ample VRAM for modern games and support for DLSS and ray tracing.

Testing Methodology

We tested 18 games at 1080p resolution across a mix of settings, including Ultra, High, and Medium presets. Ray tracing (RT) and DLSS were enabled where applicable to showcase the RTX 3060’s capabilities. The focus was on average FPS for smooth gameplay and 1% low FPS to measure stuttering and frame time consistency.

Performance Analysis

1. Competitive Shooters (CS2, Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege):
   This build excels in competitive titles, delivering well over 200 FPS in Counter-Strike 2 and Rainbow Six Siege, and 227 FPS in Overwatch 2. These results make it ideal for esports enthusiasts who prioritize high frame rates for smooth gameplay.
2. Demanding AAA Titles (Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2, The Last of Us Part I):
   Even in graphically intensive games, the RTX 3060 holds its own. With DLSS enabled, Cyberpunk 2077 averages 61 FPS at RT Low settings, while Alan Wake 2 manages 41 FPS at High settings with RT Low. The Last of Us Part I runs at 52 FPS on Ultra, showcasing the GPU’s ability to handle remastered AAA titles.
3. Open-World Games (RDR2, Horizon Forbidden West, Ghost of Tsushima):
   Open-world titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Horizon Forbidden West run smoothly at Very High settings, with averages of 52 FPS and 77 FPS, respectively. Ghost of Tsushima also performs well, averaging 62 FPS at Very High settings.
4. Ray Tracing Performance:
   The RTX 3060 struggles with ray tracing in some titles, as seen in NINJA GAIDEN 2 BLACK (56 FPS with RT On) and Alan Wake 2 (41 FPS with RT Low). However, DLSS helps mitigate performance losses, making ray tracing viable in lighter RT workloads.
5. 1% Low FPS:
   The 1% low FPS figures are generally acceptable, though some games like Horizon Forbidden West (32 FPS) and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (31 FPS) show noticeable stuttering. This is expected in more demanding titles, but overall, the system maintains playable frame rates.

Conclusion

The Ryzen 5 5600X and RTX 3060 12GB combo is a fantastic budget build for 1080p gaming. It handles competitive titles with ease, delivering high frame rates for smooth gameplay, and manages demanding AAA games at High to Ultra settings with respectable performance. While ray tracing can be taxing, DLSS helps maintain playable frame rates in supported titles.

For gamers looking to build a PC that balances cost and performance, this setup is an excellent choice. It’s capable of running modern games at 1080p with high visual fidelity, making it a great entry point into PC gaming or an upgrade for those on older hardware.

Recommendations

• For Competitive Gamers: This build is perfect for esports titles, offering high FPS and low latency.
• For AAA Gamers: Stick to High settings for the best balance of visuals and performance. Use DLSS where available to boost FPS.
• Future-Proofing: Consider upgrading to 32GB of RAM if you plan to multitask heavily or play more demanding titles in the future.

Overall, the Ryzen 5 5600X and RTX 3060 12GB combo delivers exceptional value for 1080p gaming, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy modern games at high settings.