NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER in 2025: Is it Worth It?
Analysis of Architecture, Performance, and Practical Value
Architecture and Key Features
Turing without RTX: Simplicity and Efficiency
The GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER, released in 2019, is built on the Turing architecture but lacks specialized RT and Tensor cores. This makes it the younger sibling of the RTX series, focused on basic performance without support for ray tracing or DLSS. The manufacturing process is 12 nm (TSMC), which appears outdated in 2025 compared to 5 nm and 6 nm GPUs, but it ensures a low production cost.
Unique Features
The GTX 1660 SUPER supports:
- NVENC — hardware video encoding for streaming and editing;
- Adaptive Shading — optimization of shader load to increase FPS;
- Compatibility with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR from AMD) in games, which partially compensates for the lack of DLSS.
Memory: Fast but Limited
GDDR6 and 6 GB — a Balance for 1080p
The card is equipped with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory with a 192-bit bus and a bandwidth of 336 GB/s (compared to 192 GB/s for the GTX 1660 with GDDR5). This improves performance in games with high textures and 1440p resolution, but the memory capacity may not be sufficient for AAA titles in 2024-2025 on ultra settings. For example, in "Alan Wake 2" at 1080p, memory usage spikes to 5.5-6 GB, creating a risk of stuttering.
Gaming Performance: 1080p is Still Comfortable
Average FPS in Current Projects (2024-2025)
- Cyberpunk 2077 (Medium settings + FSR Quality): 58–63 FPS (1080p), 34–38 FPS (1440p);
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (High settings): 72 FPS (1080p), 45 FPS (1440p);
- Hogwarts Legacy (Medium settings + FSR Balanced): 51 FPS (1080p).
4K? Only for Undemanding Games
In indie titles (e.g., "Hades 2"), the card delivers stable 60 FPS at 4K. However, for AAA titles, 4K resolution is impractical — even at low settings, FPS rarely exceeds 25-30 frames.
Ray Tracing: Not for GTX 1660 SUPER
The lack of RT cores renders enabling RTX in games pointless. In "Minecraft RTX," FPS drops to 10-15 frames, which is unacceptable for comfortable play.
Professional Tasks: Modest Capabilities
Video Editing and Rendering
Thanks to its 1408 CUDA cores, the card handles:
- 1080p and 1440p video encoding in Premiere Pro (20-30% faster than a mid-range CPU);
- Basic 3D modeling in Blender (rendering a BMW scene takes about 15 minutes compared to 5-7 minutes with the RTX 3060).
Limitations
For tasks involving Ray Tracing (e.g., V-Ray) or neural network algorithms (Stable Diffusion), the GTX 1660 SUPER is unsuitable — it lacks hardware acceleration.
Power Consumption and Thermal Performance
TDP of 125 W: Easy to Fit into Builds
The card consumes less power than modern counterparts (e.g., RTX 4060 — 115 W, but higher performance). The recommended power supply is 450 W with an 8-pin connector.
Cooling and Temperature Management
Even in compact cases with two fans, the temperature under load does not exceed 72-75°C. For better ventilation, it is advisable to use a case with at least two intake fans (e.g., NZXT H510 Flow).
Comparison with Competitors
NVIDIA RTX 3050 (8 GB)
- Pros of RTX 3050: DLSS, ray tracing support, 8 GB of memory.
- Cons: Price ($250-270 compared to $180-200 for GTX 1660 SUPER in 2025).
AMD Radeon RX 6600 (8 GB)
- Pros of RX 6600: Higher performance in DX12 (+15-20%), 8 GB of memory.
- Cons: No NVENC, less stable drivers for professional tasks.
Conclusion: The GTX 1660 SUPER excels in the budget segment if ray tracing or 8 GB of memory are not needed.
Practical Tips
1. Power Supply: 450 W (e.g., Corsair CX450) with overload protection.
2. Compatibility: PCIe 3.0 x16 (suitable for even older motherboards).
3. Drivers: Use the Studio Driver for video editing — they are more stable than Game Ready drivers.
4. Monitor: Optimal is 1080p @ 144 Hz — the card shines in CS2, Fortnite, Apex Legends.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low price ($180-200);
- Energy efficiency;
- Support for FSR 2.0/3.0;
- Quiet operation even under load.
Cons:
- 6 GB of memory — a bottleneck in new games;
- No ray tracing;
- Limited performance at 1440p.
Final Conclusion: Who is the GTX 1660 SUPER Suitable For?
This graphics card is an ideal choice for:
1. Gamers with a 1080p monitor, ready to play on high settings for projects from 2020-2023 and on medium settings for new titles in 2025.
2. Owners of older PCs looking to upgrade their system without replacing the power supply.
3. Budget builds — paired with a Ryzen 5 5600 or Core i3-13100F processor, it will provide smooth gaming.
However, if you plan to play at 1440p or use RTX, it is better to pay extra for the RTX 3060 or RX 7600. The GTX 1660 SUPER in 2025 is a "workhorse" for modest tasks, but nothing more.