Is gtx 1660 good for gaming ? | Exploring the GTX 1660’s Performance for Gamers
Since Nvidia released the GTX 1660 more than three years ago, it has been a long time since it was updated. There is nothing better than this card in terms of performance and price. There are two versions of the GTX 1660, GTX 1660 Super and GTX 1660 Ti. Is the GTX 1660 still a good gaming card in 2022? In our testing of the card, we found the following results.
When it comes to choosing the perfect graphics card for your gaming needs, the options can be overwhelming. Among the vast array of choices, the GTX 1660 stands out as a popular contender. In this article, we will delve into the specifications and performance of the GTX 1660 to determine if it is indeed a good option for gaming enthusiasts.
Understanding the GTX 1660
The NVIDIA GTX 1660 is a graphics card that has gained popularity among gamers for its excellent performance and affordability. Manufactured by NVIDIA, a renowned company in the gaming hardware industry, the GTX 1660 belongs to the GeForce GTX series, which is known for delivering top-notch gaming experiences.
The graphics card is based on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture, which represents a significant leap forward in terms of power efficiency and rendering capabilities compared to previous generations. The Turing architecture incorporates advanced technologies and optimizations that enhance gaming performance and visual fidelity.
The GTX 1660 utilizes the 12nm manufacturing process, which allows for greater power efficiency and reduced heat generation. This enables the graphics card to deliver impressive performance without consuming excessive power or overheating, making it a popular choice for gamers looking for a balance between performance and energy efficiency.
In terms of specifications, the GTX 1660 boasts 1408 CUDA cores, which are responsible for parallel processing and accelerating graphics-intensive tasks. The graphics card also features a base clock speed of around 1530 MHz, which can be boosted to approximately 1785 MHz in certain scenarios. The high clock speeds ensure smooth gameplay and responsiveness, allowing gamers to enjoy their favorite titles without experiencing lag or stuttering.
The GTX 1660 comes equipped with 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides ample space for storing textures, shaders, and other data required for rendering high-quality graphics. The memory operates at an effective speed of 8 Gbps, enabling quick data transfers and reducing latency, ultimately resulting in improved gaming performance.
As for connectivity options, the GTX 1660 typically includes a variety of ports to cater to different display setups. It commonly features DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI ports, allowing users to connect multiple monitors and enjoy immersive gaming experiences. This versatility is particularly beneficial for gamers who engage in multitasking or prefer a multi-monitor setup for enhanced productivity.
When it comes to gaming performance, the GTX 1660 delivers impressive results across a wide range of games. It can handle modern titles at 1080p resolution with ease, providing smooth frame rates and detailed visuals. While it may not be designed for 4K gaming, it still offers solid performance in most games at lower resolutions, making it an excellent choice for gamers with 1080p monitors.
Unleashing Gaming Performance
One of the key factors to consider when evaluating a graphics card’s gaming potential is its performance. The GTX 1660 boasts impressive specifications that make it a suitable choice for avid gamers. With its 1408 CUDA cores and a base clock speed of 1530MHz, it delivers a solid foundation for a smooth gaming experience. Its boost clock speed of 1785MHz further enhances its ability to handle graphically demanding games.
Crystal-Clear Visuals
The GTX 1660 also shines in the visual department. It features 6GB of GDDR5 memory with a memory clock speed of 8Gbps, ensuring fast and efficient data transfer. This allows for high-resolution textures and detailed graphics, resulting in visually stunning gameplay. Whether you’re exploring vast open worlds, engaging in intense battles, or enjoying the latest virtual reality experiences, the GTX 1660 can deliver a visually immersive gaming environment.
The Power of Optimization
NVIDIA is known for its commitment to optimizing games for its graphics cards, and the GTX 1660 is no exception. The GeForce Experience software provided by NVIDIA offers a range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. From automatically optimizing game settings for the best performance to providing seamless driver updates, this software ensures that you can make the most out of your GTX 1660.
Competitive Gaming and Streaming
The GTX 1660 also caters to the needs of those who enjoy streaming their gameplay. With its dedicated hardware encoder called NVENC, it offloads the video encoding tasks from the CPU, allowing for smoother streaming without sacrificing in-game performance. This feature is particularly advantageous for content creators and aspiring streamers looking to share their gaming adventures with the world.
Future-Proofing Your Gaming Rig
Investing in a graphics card is an investment in the future of your gaming rig. The GTX 1660 offers excellent value for its price, making it an attractive option for gamers who want to strike a balance between performance and affordability. While it may not be the top-of-the-line option, it certainly holds its ground in terms of delivering a superior gaming experience without breaking the bank.
Is GTX 1660 good for gaming?
To answer the question, “Is GTX 1660 good for gaming?” – the answer is a resounding yes. With its impressive specifications, optimized performance, and affordability, the GTX 1660 stands as a reliable choice for gamers seeking a graphics card that can handle their gaming needs. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an enthusiast, the GTX 1660 is more than capable of providing an immersive gaming experience.
So, if you’re in the market for a graphics card that strikes the right balance between performance, visual quality, and cost-effectiveness, the GTX 1660 is a worthy contender that deserves your consideration.
Main Specs Of Nvidia GTX 1660
Here are the main Specs of the Nvidia GTX 1660:
Video Memory | 6GB GDDR5 |
Base Clock Speed | 1530 MHz |
Boost Clock Speed | 1785 MHz |
Memory Interface | 192-bit |
CUDA Cores | 1408 |
Bandwidth | 192.1 Gbps |
PSU Requirement | 300W |
By examining the specifications of the GTX 1660, we can conclude that it meets the minimum requirements for video memory that are needed to play games at 1080p settings nowadays. With its 6GB of VRAM, this card should be able to handle most games at 1080p details.
The GTX 1660 could keep up with midrange CPUs from AMD or Intel. With a boost clock, it is possible to increase the graphical processing speed to 1785 MHz. As seen on ASUS, MSI, and EVGA graphics cards, some manufacturers have boosted the GTX 1660’s boost clock speed to over 1800 MHz.
DLSS and ray-tracing cards are in high demand at the moment. The GTX 1660 remains the best choice for budget gamers who only require improved 1080p gaming performance. This graphics card performs well at 1080 resolution even though it has GDDR5 memory instead of GDDR6.
Gaming with Nvidia GTX 1660 at 1080p
Nvidia originally advertised the GTX 1660 Ti’s fast frame rates as being superior to the GTX 1660. The card was reissued in the “Ti” version. It was expected that the GTX 1660 would perform similarly to the previous generation.
For 1920 x 1080 gaming, the GTX 1660 has a four to five percent performance advantage over AMD’s RX 590. The GTX 1660 is 18% faster in FHD gaming than the Nvidia GTX 1030.
Games we’ve tested on GTX 1660 include some of these top titles.
1080p Ultra Settings, DirectX 12 for Battlefield V
A frame rate of over 100 FPS was achieved with the GTX 1660 at 1920 x 10802 resolution. We encountered a frame rate between 60 and 70 FPS at the minimum.
Despite its low power consumption, the GTX 1660 graphics card can easily be powered by a 300W power supply. In your PC chassis, this graphics card will be cool and quiet due to its maximum power consumption of 120W.
Far Cry 5 (1080p Ultra Settings, DirectX 11)
The game we played was Far Cry 5 on a GTX 1660 6GB card. Our average frame rate was 85 frames per second at 1920 x 1080 resolution and all settings at “Ultra”. When fighting intensively, we experienced frame rates of 58 to 65 frames per second.
Using a GTX 1660 Ti will allow you to get a few more frames per second at this point. There isn’t much difference between GTX 1660 Ti and GTX 1660 Ti in terms of performance. You should stick with the standard GTX 1660 if you have to decide between the two.
Grand Theft Auto V, 1080p high, DirectX 11
GTA V performed better on some graphics cards than others when we tested them. At 1080p settings, the GTX 1660 reaches frame rates of more than 90fps on GTA V, making it one of the most stable GPUs on the market.
1440p gaming with GTX 1660
It isn’t a good choice for 1440p or 4K displays. Gaming at 1080p is the primary purpose of the GTX 1660.
There is a limited amount of VRAM in the GTX 1660, which makes it nearly impossible to push more images at 1440p resolution into and out of the GPU. As a result of the GTX 1660, Battlefield V averages 60 frames per second and can go as low as 40 frames per second in certain scenes. When using 1440 settings, this graphics card will have difficulty maintaining stable frame rates.
Far Cry 5 also struggles to deliver more than 45 frames per second with the GTX 1660. A frame rate of 50 fps to 65 fps is averaged at 1440 settings.
Conclusion
In 2023, the GTX 1660 will still be a solid performer at 1080p. As far as performance goes, there isn’t much difference between the standard GTX 1660 and the GTX 1660 Ti. The GTX 1660 will deliver every drop of performance to gamers who play at 1080p resolution. Most AAA games can be played at high settings with this graphics card. In all gaming benchmark tests, it performs better than its competitor, the RX 490.
Although this card is suitable for UHD gaming (1440p or better), it is not suitable for QHD gaming (1440p or better). Our top recommendations for 1440p performance are the RTX 2060 or RX 580.
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