Released back in March 2019, NVIDIA‘s GTX 1660 and 1660 Super GPUs stand the test of time as excellent 1080p gaming solutions. Powered by the Turing architecture, they remain recommended purchases even in 2023 thanks to well-rounded capabilities and wallet-friendly pricing.
Let‘s explore 10 reasons why these cards represent smart investments for gamers looking to build new rigs or upgrade existing systems!
Introduction to the GTX 1660 Series
The original GTX 1660 and improved 1660 Super share a common design powered by NVIDIA‘s Turing architecture. Launch MSRPs rang in at just $219 and $229 respectively. Making both models a tantalizing value for buyers who didn‘t need the fancy features or performance of high-end RTX cards.
GTX 1660 Series Key Specifications
| Spec | GTX 1660 | GTX 1660 Super |
|---|---|---|
| GPU Core | TU116 | TU116 |
| Process Node | 12nm | 12nm |
| CUDA Cores | 1408 | 1408 |
| Texture Units | 88 | 88 |
| RT Cores | No | No |
| Tensor Cores | No | No |
| Base Clock | 1530MHz | 1530MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1785MHz | 1785MHz |
| VRAM | 6GB GDDR5 | 6GB GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| TDP | 120W | 125W |
Table data via GPUCheck
The Super variant enjoyed memory upgrades to faster GDDR6 while demanding only an extra $10 at launch. Further cementing these cards‘ value. In a world where GPU prices often exceed $500, the GTX 1660 series still manages to deliver enjoyable 1080p speeds at near half the cost!
Now let‘s examine why picking up one of these cards today remains well worth considering for gamers in 2023.
1. Excellent Performance and Visuals at 1080p
Make no mistake – the GTX 1660 cards shine brightest when gaming at 1920 x 1080. Leveraging their 1408 CUDA processing cores and 6GB of onboard memory, both models power through AAA titles with smooth frame rates and visually impressive details activated.
Review testing from trusted sites like Tom‘s Hardware and TechSpot reveals just how capable these GPUs perform even in demanding games released within the past two years:
| Game Benchmark | GTX 1660 Avg FPS | GTX 1660 Super Avg FPS | Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 55 FPS | 57 FPS | 1080p High |
| Borderlands 3 | 68 FPS | 71 FPS | 1080p Badass |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 66 FPS | 70 FPS | 1080p Medium |
These triple-A titles show that both 1660 models handle maximum or near-max settings in 1080p smoothly. Ideal performance for fast-paced competitive games lands above the 144 FPS threshold as well.
Gamers stepping up from 900p or standard HD screens can expect a superb visual boost activating higher resolutions and details from the 1660 series cards compared to previous budget offerings. Making them great pairings alongside 144Hz refresh rate monitors.
2. 1440p Gaming More Viable Than Expected
Equipped with 6GB of onboard memory, 1660 owners gain extra flexibility to reach beyond standard 1080p gaming if desired. While not quite built for flawless 1440p speeds, these GPUs can stretch up to higher QHD resolutions impressively well. Particularly in titles a few years old.
The standard GTX 1660 managed 57 FPS during Shadow of the Tomb Raider testing at 1440p using the ‘High‘ preset in Tom‘s Hardware‘s suite. Proving plenty capable of keeping up with demanding adventures at 2560 x 1440 resolution so long as a few settings get turned down.
The early 2020 blockbuster Doom Eternal runs smoothly exceeding 60 FPS at 1440p as well on High settings based on results from TechPowerUp. Representing a nice performance pad should you upgrade monitors down the road.
For those sticking with 1080p panels, consider 1440p readiness an extra bonus granting additional years of usability from a 1660 graphics card before feeling underpowered at standard HD resolutions.
3. Attractive Pricing – Great Bang for Buck
Part of these GPUs‘ enduring appeal ties back to their attractive launch pricing below $250. While supply challenges in recent years sent many graphics cards soaring above MSRP, the 1660 series became largely immune.
Used models surface frequently for under $200, giving budget gamers superb 1080p speed on the cheap. Even brand new retail pricing hovers around $250-$300 which remains very reasonable relative to performance delivered. Especially against $400+ asking prices for a higher tier RTX 3050.
When every dollar counts building a new rig or upgrading aging parts on a budget, saving where possible makes sense. The GTX 1660 cards do precisely that – offering grants excellent 1080p gameplay without emptying wallets. Making them a candidate for best bang-for-buck graphics card valeur currently available.
4. Efficiency and Cooling Go Hand in Hand
An effective cooling solution determines how reliably graphics cards perform during intense gaming sessions. Insufficient airflow causes premature throttling that tanks frame rates right when smoothness matters most.
Here‘s where the GTX 1660 series impresses yet again. Their compact nature measuring around 6.8 inches, restrained 120W power demands, and dual fan open air coolers work together keeping temperatures down across long periods of demanding gameplay.
Lab testing from Tom‘s Hardware saw the GTX 1660 Super reaching a peak temperature of just 67 degrees Celsius across a stressful 30 minute stress test. Allowing reliable performance absent distraction throttling concerns arising on hot GPUs.
Not only does a cool operating temp ensure stability, it also means less ambient heat gets dumped inside your case. Avoiding rising temps on nearby components. Lower fan speeds translate into less overall setup noise as well – granting a quieter gaming environment.
5. Built for Modern Gaming Tech Including Ray Tracing
Easy to overlook given its affordable price, the GTX 1660 series wasn‘t totally devoid of modern graphical capabilities that arrived alongside much pricier RTX cards in 2018. Being based on Turing architecture cores, both these GPUs come ready to support ray tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling.
Photo by DONOTREVIEW on Unsplash
Ray tracing takes lighting and shadows to the next level of realism through improved calculations and effects like realistic reflections, ambient occlusion, plus depth based blurring. DLSS utilization involves rendering games at lower internal resolutions then using dedicated AI processing cores on RTX cards to upscale images without perceived quality loss. Granting free performance lift.
While metrics fall behind more premium RTX models, the 1660 series inclusion of Turing architecture means an ability to enrich visuals through ray tracing effects and DLSS upscaling in compatible titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Spiderman, and more as they trend towards widespread support in new games. Future proofing remains strong suit for these cards because of it!
Let‘s explore additional compelling reasons to grab one while stocks last.
6. Performance Uplift From Manual Overclocking
Enthusiasts can tap into additional performance through manual overclocking since GPU Boost technology already pushes the GTX 1660 models nearly as far as safely possible out of the box. But some fine tuning room remains.
Using MSI Afterburner software for example, you can raise the power target to push the cards closer to their 150 watt limit. This avoids having the GPU scale back clocks during intense loads. Afterburner also gives easy control of the core clock speed and memory speeds too.
The GTX 1660 Super responds especially well to memory overclocking thanks to its newer, faster GDDR6 chips, Compared to GDDR5 in the vanilla GTX 1660. Over 2GHz speeds above the stock 1800Mhz rating are often achievable. Translating into extra bandwidth feeding the GPU cores for free scaling in frame rates.
With some simple tweaking, expect around a 5-10% performance bump during gaming. Helping squeeze every last drop of power from your new GPU.
7. Low Power Requirements – Less Strain on PSUs
Between leaner transistor sizes from Turing manufacturing and fewer enabled cores than high end GPUs, the GTX 1660 series sips power very modestly. To the tune of a 120 watt total board power rating. Maybe 150 watts if you overclock manually towards the limits.
Such a low power budget means builders can select cheaper, lower output power supplies without concern over tripping protections during peak gaming loads. Any modern 500-550W 80+ Bronze PSU will support a 1660 card with total system draw factored in. Potentially saving $20-30 opting for more modest wattage (but still stable quality) units.
Lower power requirements also mean less ambient heat dumped inside your case. So additional fans stay at lower RPM speeds during long sessions. Continuing the quieter cooled operation 1660 cards are recognized for.
8. Compact Size for All Case Considerations
Photo by Ash Phalt on Unsplash
Measuring right around 6.8 inches in length, GTX 1660 cards adopt compact PCB and open air cooling designs. Making them suitable for smaller cases that high end, triple fan flagship GPUs couldn‘t dream of fitting inside.
Particularly useful for compact micro ATX and mini ITX builds demanded by Lan party enthusiasts and gamers lacking space for towering rigs. The 1660 series opens up case compatibility for constrained builders that other modern cards would balk at.
Rest assured these petite GPU dimensions still leverage dual axial fans for capable cooling too. Their small impact fits great even in congested rigs!
9. G-Sync and FreeSync Support Out of the Box
Anyone buying a higher refresh rate gaming monitor deserves matching GPU capabilities that avoid visual tearing or input latency. By supporting both G-Sync and FreeSync technology standards out of the box, the GTX 1660 perfectly fits the bill as an ideal pairing for buttery smooth 120Hz, 144Hz, or faster gaming displays.
Variable refresh rate ranges reach upwards from 30Hz on FreeSync screens and extend to the maximum refresh ceiling your particular monitor supports (often 165Hz). Aligning dynamic refresh perfectly with in-game frame rates for ultra responsive gameplay completely free of distracting screen tearing. No input lag introduced by traditional V-Sync either. Making Freesync or G-Sync practically mandatory features for serious gamers.
Thankfully the entire GTX 1660 lineup ships ready accommodate either standard at a driver level. Saving potential headaches down the road mixing mismatched display and GPU combinations together risking sub-optimal results.
10. Continued Driver Support Ensures Game Compatibility
Let‘s discuss one final point that inspires additional confidence in a long term 1660 series graphics card investment – continual software support from NVIDIA over coming years through recurring driver updates.
The release of new Game Ready drivers every couple weeks that work in tandem with Windows update cycles helps ensure broad game compatibility and performance uplift in new titles. Compared to outdated legacy GPU architectures no longer receiving refreshed drivers.
As the large installed user base of 10-series and 16-series Turing card owners provides ample incentive for NVIDIA to keep support coming, buyers can expect their GTX 1660 to keep running smooth for 3+ years without fear of getting left behind on the software/compatibility front like previous generation cards often suffer from.
Offering extra peace of mind for long term reliability!
Conclusion – The GTX 1660 Deserves Your Consideration in 2023
If the GTX 1660 Family‘s excellent 1080p gaming speeds, surprising 1440p capabilities, wallet-friendly pricing, cool thermals, support for modern graphical features, and reliable continued software support don‘t sell you…I‘m not sure what could!
These capable cards deliver excellent value to gamers. Offering smooth 60+ FPS speeds at high settings paired with 6GB of VRAM – a prudent balance that eschews costly overprovisioning excess memory found in pricier GPUs seldom utilized under standard 1080p gaming. All at nearly half the cost of better known RTX models.
For builders working inside tighter budgets or upgrading systems around 5+ year old GPUs, few pieces of hardware offer excitement and satisfaction rivaling that of dropping a freshly minted GTX 1660 or 1660 Super graphics card into place. Instantly transforming gaming experiences for the better.
Gamers still relying on older mid-range cards owe it to themselves to finally join the buttery smooth world of modern 1080p triple digit frame rates. What better time than 2023?
