The Intel Core i5 13600K is one of the best mid-end gaming processors in the market. Released in late 2022, this processor cemented itself as one of the best mid-end processors. It has extraordinary gaming performance, and it can easily handle 4K gaming as well which has become a standard in recent years when it comes to high-fidelity gaming. Also, it has attributes to be a decent workstation processor, competing with Ryzen 7000 series processors by its sheer raw power. Today we are going to look at some of the best GPU for i5 13600K in 2024.
The generational gap between Intel’s 12th and 13th generation is made evident by this processor as it has marginal improvements in performance and credibility relative to its predecessors. The Raptor Lake, or the 13th generation of Intel’s processor, has many unique features that make them a desirable choice. The i5 13600K includes six performance and eight efficiency cores, making it a more powerful mid-range processor. These cores operate at different clock speeds, which translates to better efficiency of the overall processor by executing various tasks with higher speeds and good prioritization.
Most mid-end processors wouldn’t support high-end graphics cards because they would bottleneck with a lesser-powered processor and couldn’t deliver the expected performance. But the 13600K breaks this stigma as it has enough raw performance to form a unison with even the RTX 4090 or 7900 XTX.
Although that would be overkill for most games, someone intending to include a high-end GPU in their PC build would be better off with a more powerful, high-end processor. The 13600K has exceptional gaming performance and will handsomely cater to your gaming needs if you pair it with a sound graphics card. So, we have compiled this list of compatible and suitable graphics cards for i5 13600K. These graphics cards have been thoroughly tested and benchmarked with this processor.
GPU for Recommendations i5 13600K Summary
| Award | Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best GPU for white gaming builds |
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ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X OC | See on Amazon |
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MSI GeForce RTX 4070Ti Gaming X TRIO 12G | See on Amazon | |
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SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT PURE | See on Amazon | |
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MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Z TRIO 12G | See on Amazon | |
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POWERCOLOR RED DRAGON AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB GDDR6 | See on Amazon | |
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ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Ti | See on Amazon | |
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ASUS DUAL Radeon RX 6750 XT OC Edition 12GB GDDR6 | See on Amazon | |
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GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming OC 8GB | See on Amazon |
GPU for Recommendations i5 13600K At a Glance:
- ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X OC
- MSI GeForce RTX 4070Ti Gaming X TRIO 12G
- SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT PURE
- MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Z TRIO 12G
- POWERCOLOR RED DRAGON AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB GDDR6
- ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
- ASUS DUAL Radeon RX 6750 XT OC Edition 12GB GDDR6
- GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming OC 8GB
GPU for Recommendations i5 13600K Reviews
ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X OC
Best GPU for white gaming builds
REASONS TO BUY
✓ 16GB VRAM
✓ Less power-hungry than RTX 4090
✓ All Ada Lovelace enhancements are available.
✓ Excellent 4K performance
✓ Perfect Raytracing execution
✓ Upscaling is enhanced with DLSS 3.0
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Very expensive
✗ Massive size makes it hard to manage physically.
✗ RTX 4090 is marginally better.
✗ Crucially needs DLSS 3.0 for the best gaming experience.
ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X OC is a top-of-the-line, performance-heavy graphics card that benefits from almost all of Nvidia’s latest features. It has a massive size that requires a suitable PC case to fit. ASUS provides a stylized variant with a triple-fan configuration and their “Axial tech fans” in tandem with their patented “Vapor chamber,” which provides good thermal performance and excellent heat dissipation for the best gaming experience.
RTX 4080 has 16GB VRAM, 2625 clock speed, more than 9700 CUDA cores, GDDR6X memory type, and a minimum 750W PSU Requirement. It also includes some of Nvidia’s latest features, such as 4th Gen Tensor cores with DLSS 3.0 support, ADA Lovelace Architecture, and 3rd Gen RT cores, which allow it to perform flawlessly. It also comes with overclocking software, which makes it a lot easier. It can support up to three monitors, which help you create an immersive gaming environment. Moreover, it is VR-ready and can support 4K gaming like nothing. It achieves consistent framerates on many AAA titles and can provide the best 4K, 120 fps gaming experience.
Its gaming benchmarks are outstanding. “COD MODERN WARFARE 2 (2022)” runs at an average framerate of 121 frames per second with Ultra settings and 4K resolution. Similarly, “DYING LIGHT 2” runs at an average framerate of 80 frames per second with Ultra settings and 4K resolution. Finally, “AC VALHALLA” runs at an average framerate of 101 frames per second with Ultra settings and a 4K resolution.
However, despite its tremendous performance, the RTX 4080 is overkill for most games. It is costly, and many games don’t require that much power to run at decent frames and graphics. But it is compatible with the Core i5 13600K, and if your pocket affords such endeavours, it will provide unmatched raw power.
MSI GeForce RTX 4070Ti Gaming X TRIO 12G
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Marginal improvement in generational performance
✓ DLSS 3.0
✓ Exceptional thermal efficiency
✓ Excellent 1440p experience
✓ Low to moderate power consumption
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Expensive than previous generation GPUs
✗ Some newer games give a poor performance on 4K
✗ Only 12GB VRAM
✗ No DisplayPort 2.0 support
MSI GeForce RTX 4070Ti Gaming X TRIO 12G is one of the newest graphics cards by Nvidia. Released in late 2022, the RTX 4000 series introduced us to their no-compromise, performance-heavy, and mid-range GPU with exceptional gaming performance. MSI is a well-known brand with a wide variety of products. Their variant design is laced with good airflow and aerodynamic capabilities, made possible by MSI’s signature “TORX FAN 5.0” design which keeps its temperatures in desirable ranges.
RTX 4070Ti is equipped with a heavy 12GB of VRAM, GDDR6X memory type, more than 7600 CUDA cores, and around 2700 MHz of clock speed, and it requires a recommended decent 700W PSU to run smoothly. New features such as “ADA Lovelace Architecture” and the latest Gen RT cores enable it to deliver good-looking games with high visual fidelity and realistic environments. This GPU is excellent for 1080p, 1440p, and 4K gaming, with ultra settings enabled on almost all AAA titles. The DLSS 3.0 availability enables it to perform at a higher level than many previous-generation GPUs while allowing better frame rates with less demanding hardware.
In tandem with Core i5 13600K, its gaming benchmarks results are as follows. “DYING LIGHT 2” runs at 2160p or 4K, maximum settings, and the average frame rate achieved is 62 frames per second. “RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2” runs at 4K and Ultra settings, and the average frame rate achieved is 83 frames per second, and “CYBERPUNK 2077” runs at 4K, maximum settings, and the average frame rate achieved is 52 frames per second.
RTX 4070Ti is a perfect mid to high-end GPU that performs remarkably outstanding for gaming and content creation. It has high compatibility with the i5 13600K processor and will be an all-rounder mid-end PC build that will serve you well for many years.
SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT PURE
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Inexpensive relative to the RTX series
✓ Faster performance
✓ 16GB VRAM
✓ Better compatibility with Ryzen 5000 and above
✓ Quiet underload
✓ Better value than RTX 3090
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No RDNA 3
✗ Not significantly better than RX 6900 XT
✗ Worse raytracing than Nvidia
SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT PURE is another high-end option from the AMDs line of graphics cards. Sapphire excels with the design of this GPU variant as they provide a sporty white finish on the body with an aluminum-magnesium alloy for a robust build with exceptional cooling capabilities.
It has top-of-the-line specifications with its 16GB of VRAM, GDDR6 memory type, over 5100 CUDA cores, and around 2400 MHz clock speed; it requires a recommended decent 750W PSU. It directly competes with Nvidia’s GPU on many landscapes and provides relatively more raw power than an RTX 3090 on sub-4K gaming. With 80 ray accelerators, it delivers optimal raytracing performance and offers good value for its money. Similar and better software support and FSR availability help in upscaling the game’s graphics without compromising its raw version.
As expected, the in-game benchmarks are exceptionally better than their predecessors. “COD MODERN WARFARE 2(2022)” runs at 2160p or 4K, high settings, and the average frame rate achieved is 140 frames per second. “DYING LIGHT 2” runs at 4K and Ultra settings, and the average frame rate achieved is 75 frames per second, and “HORIZON ZERO DAWN” runs at 4K, maximum settings, and the average frame rate is 100 frames per second.
RX 6950 XT will be the best high-end choice for the Core i5 13600K processor. It delivers exceptional sub-4K performance with enough raw power to support other ventures like streaming, editing, and creative tasking. It offers excellent value for money compared to the RTX series and provides equivalent features that are very desirable.
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Z TRIO 12G
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Cheaper than 2080ti
✓ Better design
✓ Powerful 4K and raytracing performance
✓ Improved DLSS
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Power hungry
✗ Loud and noisy underload
✗ Expensive
✗ It might run in a power limit on some systems.
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Z TRIO 12G is a generation older high-end graphics card with a hefty price tag. It has outstanding performance power and enough VRAM to support your gaming. MSI again delivers a beautiful design with their TORX FAN 4.0 technology which ensures better thermal efficiency and keeps it cool under heavier loads.
This GPU offers a whopping 12GB of VRAM, about 1850 MHz of clock speed, and GDDR6X memory type and requires a recommended minimum of 750W PSU to function. It has a lot of CUDA cores, about 8960 units of them, to be precise. It is equipped with Nvidia’s latest techs like Ampere architecture, 2nd gen RT cores, and 3rd gen Tensor cores. These specifications ensure that you run your games without concern for compromises. However, it is much more expensive than many other GPUs. It also comes in a 10GB variant which is a little bit cheaper than this one but also offers good performance metrics.
As for in-game benchmarks, “DAYS GONE” runs smoothly at 1440p and averages 125 frames per second framerate at ultra settings. Moreover, “FAR CRY 6” runs smoothly at 1440p resolution and averages 85 frames per second framerate at ultra settings and raytracing. Finally, “AC VALHALLA” runs flawlessly at 1440p and has an average of 100 frames per second framerate at ultra quality.
RTX 3080 is around 15% more efficient than 3070ti and gives exceptional results with raytracing and DLSS on most games. If you can stretch your budget, it will give you a flagship performance with a Core i5 13600K processor.
POWERCOLOR RED DRAGON AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB GDDR6
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Great for up to 1440p
✓ 16GB of VRAM
✓ Higher overclocking potential
✓ Cheaper than a 3080
✓ Robust Build
✓ Exceptional DX11 performance
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ No RDNA 3 support
✗ Gets hotter under load than other GPUs.
✗ It can get loud and noisy.
✗ Raytracing is not the best when compared to the RTX series.
A change of pace from mid-end graphics cards brings us to our first high-end, powerful graphics card by AMD. The POWERCOLOR LIQUID DEVIL AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB GDDR6 packs substantial raw power and delivers an exceptional gaming experience. POWERCOLOR offers a scarlet variant with better thermal performance thanks to its hefty airflow and genius heat dissipation design.
RX 6800 XT is a decent graphics card for 1080p and 1440p gaming. It has a generous 16GB of VRAM, AMD’s RDNA 2.0/7nm Architecture, a Clock speed of around 2300 MHz, and a DDR6 memory type. It also requires a 750W PSU to function correctly. It is also equipped with 72-ray accelerators, which help it perform real-time raytracing and increase the game’s overall visual appeal without straining hardware performance. AMD also offers its signature driver and software support with features such as Radeon boost technology, Anti-lag, Free sync, etc. The FidelityFX Super Resolution or FSR support allows upscaling of supported games for added performance and better graphics during gaming.
In-game benchmarks show remarkable sub-4K potential. “AC VALHALLA” at 1440p and ultra settings runs at an average framerate of 102 frames per second. Also, “HORIZON ZERO DAWN” at 1440p and ultra settings, running at an average framerate of 145 frames per second. Finally, “SPIDERMAN REMASTERED” at 1440p and ultra settings, running at an average framerate of 120 frames per second.
The RX 6800 XT has a better performance margin than the RX 6750 XT but at a higher price. It directly competes with RTX 3080 and provides better value for money. Moreover, it will be a good AMD choice for the Core i5 13600K as it offers excellent value for money and tremendous sub-4K performance.
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Faster than the 2070 Super.
✓ One of the best GPUs by Nvidia in terms of DLSS 2.0 and raytracing
✓ Perfect for 1440p gaming
✓ Good 4K gaming performance
✓ Thermals are good.
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Requires a hefty 750W PSU.
✗ Expensive
✗ Not much cheaper than a 3080
✗ Clunky 12pin connector
✗ Only 8GB of VRAM will affect future games in 4K.
ASUS is a household name for premium quality products, and their GPU variants are among the highest-priced variants on the market. The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Ti is a beast of performance for a mid-end graphics card. It offers enough raw power to beat its competition, and ASUS’s ingenious design adds to its aesthetics and provides better airflow for excellent thermals under heavy loads.
RTX 3070 is much beefier than its other version, the RTX 3070, and its significant performance boost makes it a suitable option for a core i5 13600K build. It is equipped with 8GB of VRAM, GDDR6X memory type, more than 6000 CUDA cores, and around 1800 MHz of clock speed, and it requires a recommended decent 750W PSU to run smoothly. Its performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming is highly remarkable, with better raytracing support, and DLSS 2.0 increases the visual fidelity of the games without compromising their performance.
Regarding gaming benchmarks, “RE VILLAGE” runs at 1440p, with maximum settings. The average frame rate achieved is 128 frames per second. “FAR CRY 6” runs at 1440p and Ultra settings, the average frame rate achieved is 106 frames per second, and “COD WARZONE 2.0” runs at 1440p, maximum settings, and DLSS off; the average frame rate achieved was 150 frames per second.
RTX 3070 Ti offers good raw performance and can support many triple-A titles up to 1440p resolution with Ultra graphics settings. Moreover, you can buy it at a reasonable price as their prices have dropped with the release of the RTX 4000 series. Its only caveat is that more than 8 GB VRAM might be needed for future-proofing. But overall, a great GPU to pair with the i5 13600K processor.
ASUS DUAL Radeon RX 6750 XT OC Edition 12GB GDDR6
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Good 1080p and 1440p performance
✓ Acceptable thermal efficiency
✓ Better Radeon features than previous Gen
✓ 12GB VRAM
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Not that different from 6700 XT
✗ Still more expensive than other GPUs in its league
✗ Uses older architecture.
ASUS DUAL Radeon RX 6750 XT OC Edition 12GB GDDR6 is our first AMD graphics card added to this list. It is powered by AMD’s RDNA architecture that offers a plethora of unique attributes that make it a good pick for the i5 13600K. It has a very reasonable price for a mid-end GPU, delivers good gaming performance, and packs enough raw power to cater to your gaming and creative tasking needs. ASUS, as usual, delivers a minimalistic design variant with a robust build and excellent thermal performance.
RX 6750 XT has 12GB VRAM, GDDR6 memory type, 2150 MHz clock speed, 40 ray accelerators, and a 750W recommended PSU requirement. With ASUS’s features and base specs, this GPU efficiently runs games at 1080p and 1440p with decent framerates. It has great potential for content creation and gaming. It has also been tested for 4K gaming; while it can run some titles on 4K with 60+ fps, it is not commended for 4K gaming as you might face diminishing returns in future triple AAA titles: Ray accelerators and RDNA 2.0 architecture support real-time raytracing and good visual fidelity for many games. However, it cannot benefit from the RDNA 3.0 architecture, which is present in newer AMD cards such as the RX 7000 series.
In-game benchmarks are highly promising, and its sub-4K performance is unmatched. “FAR CRY 6,” with 1080p resolution and Ultra settings, runs at an average frame rate of 155 frames per second. “CYBERPUNK 2077” runs at an average frame rate of 84 frames per second while at 1080p resolution and Ultra settings. Our last game, “HOGWARTS LEGACY,” runs at an average framerate of 100 frames per second while at 1080p resolution and Ultra settings.
This GPU wasn’t much recognized at its release due to its lack of driver support and comparatively higher price than previous generation AMD graphics cards. Fast forward to today, these GPUs offer a bargain as their prices have dropped significantly. It will be a good AMD budget pick for the i5 13600K build, offers an excellent performance-to-cost ratio, and performs best with this processor.
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming OC 8GB
REASONS TO BUY
✓ Exceptional 1080p and 1440p performance
✓ 2nd Generation Raytracing
✓ 8GB VRAM
✓ 3rd Generation Tensor cores
✓ The quiet and moderately normal temperature when gaming
REASONS TO AVOID
✗ Comparatively expensive
✗ Better options available in terms of Raw performance
✗ Might need help with more demanding titles.
We are starting our list with a mid-end graphics card with excellent attributes that don’t break your wallet. The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming OC 8GB is budget conscious pick, and GIGABYTE has designed this variant with love. Its aluminum fins and copper baseplate provide exceptional thermal performance and a lovely glossy black/silver body.
As for its specifications, it has 8GB of VRAM, 1755 MHz clock speed, 2nd Gen Raytracing, 3rd Gen Tensor cores, GDDRX6, 4864 CUDA cores, and 650W PSU requirements. This graphics card excels in 1080p gaming and has a surprisingly decent 1440p gaming performance. It can run most games smoothly at 60+ frames per second on both resolutions. Decent raytracing performance output is a welcome addition as it helps your games look better but don’t count too much on that because it is nowhere near its elder siblings in this regard.
Here are some gaming benchmarks of the 3060 Ti with the i5 13600K. “GOD of WAR,” while running at 1080p resolution and ultra in-game settings, achieves an average framerate of 80 frames per second. Also, “FAR CRY 6” achieves an average framerate of 125 frames per second when running at 1080p resolution and Ultra settings. Finally, “SPIDERMAN REMASTERED” runs at an average framerate of 138 frames per second with 1080p resolution and very high settings.
It makes a good pair with the Core i5 13600K and utilizes it fully for gaming and other creative tasks. It provides excellent value for money and highly commendable performance for a mid-end GPU. Moreover, with the release of the new RTX 4000 series, you can get a sweet deal on specific marketplaces.
Conclusion
Intel’s Core i5 13600K is a powerful mid-end processor with good performance metrics. It has the potential for gaming and creative tasking, as it features enough cores to be a highly desirable processor to add to your PC build. A perfect and compatible graphics card will enable you to assemble a perfect mid-end PC build with much performance that will be enough for many years.
Picking a good GPU for a specific processor can be difficult as it requires knowledge about these components. Both components must be highly compatible for the best performance output. If there is a compatibility issue between these components, one of them will be prone to bottlenecks that will hinder your system’s overall performance.
The GPUs in this list are highly compatible with the Core i5 13600K. The final choice of what GPU to buy is up to you. Your final choice would depend on your requirements like budget, GPU size, power consumption, etc. In this article, we have provided enough information for you to decide based on different factors. However, if you still can’t decide, then we can recommend the following GPUs that are the best overall and the best budget-wise.
The best premium and powerful GPU for a Core i5 13600K processor will be the ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X OC because it has enough raw power to run your games up to 4K, and it’s 16 GB VRAM makes it future-proof for at least a few years.
The best budget pick for the Core i5 13600K processor will be the ASUS DUAL Radeon RX 6750 XT OC Edition 12GB GDDR6, as it provides excellent value for money with good performance output and can run your games at 1440p without breaking a sweat.
