You'll find the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a solid choice if you're in the market for an economical GPU that punches above its weight in 1080p gaming. It's equipped with 6GB of GDDR6 memory, enhancing data handling greatly and ensuring smoother gameplay even in the latest titles. Its 1408 CUDA cores and boosted memory bandwidth make it a robust performer, nicely bridging the gap between the GTX 1660 and the GTX 1660 Ti. With its launch price at $229, it offers great value, balancing cost and high performance effectively. Exploring its specific features might uncover some pleasant surprises for your gaming setup.
Overview of GTX 1660 Super
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super consistently delivers impressive 1080p gaming performance, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers. With 6GB of GDDR6 memory, you're equipped with faster, more efficient data handling compared to the older GDDR5 memory used in previous models. This is essential for maintaining smooth frame rates in graphically intensive games.
The GeForce GTX 1660 Super stands out with its 1408 CUDA cores and a base clock speed of 1530MHz, bridging the performance gap between the GTX 1660 and the GTX 1660 Ti effectively. This positioning offers you a sweet spot in terms of value and performance, especially when you're aiming for high-quality gaming without breaking the bank. The enhanced memory bandwidth provided by the GDDR6 memory ensures that the GPU handles newer gaming titles at high settings competently, pushing it ahead of its peers in the same price bracket.
Nvidia's optimization in the GTX 1660 Super means that you get a reliable and powerful gaming experience. Whether you're into fast-paced shooters or detailed RPGs, this GPU holds its ground, proving that you don't have to spend a fortune for quality and performance in gaming.
Pricing and Availability
As you evaluate the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super, it's important to assess its current market prices and stock levels. Since its release in 2019, the pricing has fluctuated, often reflecting changes in demand and supply chain dynamics.
You'll find that availability varies greatly across regions like the US, UK, and Australia, influencing both cost and accessibility.
Current Market Prices
Given its release in 2019, you might find the GTX 1660 Super's current market prices fluctuating due to varying demand and supply factors. As a mid-range contender in the gaming PC arena, the GTX 1660 Super presents itself as a budget-friendly option, but recent trends can sway its affordability.
- Initial Launch Price: Originally set at $229, offering value for performance.
- Performance Edge: Stands between GTX 1660 and GTX 1660 Ti, balancing cost and capability.
- Ideal for Gamers: A go-to choice for budget-conscious gamers seeking solid performance.
- Market Variability: Prices may vary significantly based on retailer and geographic location.
- Comparison Shopping: Worth comparing prices across platforms to find the best deal currently available.
Stock Levels Analysis
Understanding stock levels and their impact on pricing and availability will help you better navigate the purchase of a GTX 1660 Super. Since its release in October 2019, the GTX 1660 Super has maintained stable availability in key markets such as the US, UK, and Australia.
This importance is vital as it prevents significant price spikes and guarantees you're more likely to purchase it at a reasonable price close to its MSRP of $229. Stock levels analysis reveals that while the GTX 1660 Super is slightly pricier than its predecessor, it remains $50 cheaper than the GTX 1660 Ti, making it a sensible choice amidst fluctuating market conditions.
Knowing this helps you make an informed decision on whether it's the right time to buy.
Key Features and Technology
You'll find that the GTX 1660 Super is built on Nvidia's Turing architecture, though it lacks the RT and Tensor cores found in higher-end models, focusing instead on raw rasterization performance.
Its 1408 CUDA cores and 6GB of GDDR6 memory allow for robust 1080p gaming, pushing it well beyond its predecessors when it comes to efficiency and frame rates.
Let's explore how this GPU balances its power draw with performance output, considering its reliance on a single 8-pin PCIe connector.
GPU Architecture Overview
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super employs Turing architecture to deliver robust performance tailored for budget-conscious gamers. This architecture doesn't just focus on raw power; it's about smart gaming. You're getting a fine balance that brings demanding games to life without breaking the bank.
- CUDA Cores: Heaps of them to handle complex calculations swiftly, enhancing gaming and application speed.
- Faster GDDR6 Memory: With 6GB at 14Gbps, you experience quicker load times and smoother gameplay.
- Power Efficiency: Optimized to use less power while maintaining performance, thanks to Turing's efficiency.
- No Ray Tracing: Focuses resources on traditional rendering to boost frame rates in demanding games.
- Single Display Optimization: With limited ports, it's ideal if you don't plan on multi-monitor setups.
Performance Benchmarks
Delving into performance benchmarks, the GTX 1660 Super showcases impressive 1080p gaming capabilities, consistently delivering an average of 60 fps. This level of performance places it as a solid choice for budget gamers who prioritize smooth, high-quality gameplay at 1080p.
When you adjust the quality settings, the GTX 1660 Super maintains a stable average FPS, ensuring that your gaming experience remains fluid even during complex scenarios. Comparatively, it edges out its predecessor, the GTX 1660, by a notable 14% and even surpasses the GTX 1660 Ti by about 5%.
This boost in performance underscores its value, providing you with a cost-effective solution that doesn't compromise on delivering a high-quality gaming experience at 1080p.
Power Efficiency
Often, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super's 12nm Turing architecture significantly enhances its power efficiency, making it an ideal choice for energy-conscious gamers. This GPU is particularly suited for PC gaming where maintaining lower power consumption without sacrificing performance is essential. Here are some key points that highlight its efficiency:
- Reduced Power Consumption: Consumes less power than previous generations, optimizing your energy bills.
- 125W TDP: Balances high performance with moderate energy use.
- 8-pin PCIe Connector: Guarantees stable and efficient power delivery.
- GDDR6 Memory: Features 14Gbps speed, improving power efficiency.
- Cost-effective: Offers great value by combining lower power costs with robust gaming capabilities.
This blend of features makes the 1660 Super a smart pick for your gaming setup.
Gaming Performance Analysis
When evaluating the GTX 1660 Super, you'll find it excels in 1080p gaming, consistently delivering over 60 FPS in most contemporary titles. This makes it a standout option for budget-conscious gamers who don't want to sacrifice performance for affordability. With its 6GB of GDDR6 memory and 1408 CUDA cores, the GTX 1660 Super handles high-demand games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal with ease, pushing past 60 FPS even on high settings.
The leap from the regular GTX 1660 to the Super variant is noticeable, offering you notably better frame rates, which is essential for a smooth and immersive gaming experience. This GPU doesn't just manage well in less demanding games; it holds its own in graphically intensive scenarios, ensuring that you get the most bang for your buck.
Moreover, the GTX 1660 Super strikes an excellent balance between cost and capability. It's tailored for gamers who prioritize high-resolution experiences without needing to invest in the highest-end hardware. By choosing this GPU, you're ensuring that your system remains capable of running modern games beautifully at 1080p, all while keeping a watchful eye on your budget.
Overclocking Capabilities
Although the GTX 1660 Super is already a strong performer, you can further enhance its capabilities through overclocking, which yields significant frame rate improvements in many games. The overclocking capabilities of the GTX 1660 Super allow you to push the limits of this already capable GPU, offering notable performance improvements that are particularly advantageous if you're gaming on a budget.
Here's how you can make the most out of your GTX 1660 Super's overclocking potential:
- Stability and Efficiency: With its efficient cooling solutions, the GTX 1660 Super supports stable overclocks. This means you can expect consistent performance improvements without fearing overheating.
- Enhanced Frame Rates: Users consistently report that with minor tweaks, the frame rates in games noticeably increase, making your gaming experience smoother and more enjoyable.
- Maximizing Value: By overclocking, you're effectively getting more out of your investment, pushing the GPU beyond its out-of-the-box specifications.
- Low Risk: The process involves minimal risk, especially with the robust build and cooling mechanisms of the GTX 1660 Super.
- Easy Tweaking: Tools like MSI Afterburner can be used to safely adjust the clock speeds, making the process straightforward even for beginners.
Comparison With Competitors
While you can push the GTX 1660 Super beyond its standard capabilities through overclocking, it's also worth considering how it stacks up against its main rival, the AMD Radeon RX 5500, in the mid-range GPU market. The GTX 1660 Super consistently outperforms the Radeon RX 5500 in most benchmarks and gaming scenarios. This is important as you look for a card that delivers more than just average results.
Delving deeper into the specifics, the GTX 1660 Super not only edges out the Radeon RX 5500 in raw performance but also offers a better balance between price and performance. This makes it a particularly attractive option if you're budget-conscious but still demand strong 1080p gaming performance. The GTX 1660 Super's ability to handle more demanding graphics settings at higher frame rates sets it apart in its price bracket.
Moreover, the reputation of the GTX 1660 Super as a solid performer is backed by numerous user reviews and tech analyst ratings, highlighting its superiority in value compared to the Radeon RX 5500. This comparison clearly illustrates why the GTX 1660 Super stands out in the crowded mid-range segment, offering you a reliable and cost-effective gaming experience.
Final Recommendations
Considering its competitive pricing and strong performance, you should definitely consider the GTX 1660 Super for your next gaming setup if you're seeking great value in 1080p gaming. This GPU hits the sweet spot in the balance between cost and capability, especially for budget-conscious gamers who don't want to compromise on visual quality.
Here are some reasons why the GTX 1660 Super stands out:
- Exceptional Value: It bridges the gap between the GTX 1660 and the GTX 1660 Ti, offering near Ti performance at a notably lower price.
- Strong 1080p Performance: You'll enjoy smooth gameplay in most modern titles at high settings, thanks to its 6GB of GDDR6 memory and 1408 CUDA cores.
- Budget-Friendly: It's priced well for those looking to maximize their gaming experience without breaking the bank.
- Sufficient Memory: With 6GB of VRAM, you're well-equipped to handle current gaming demands.
- No Frills, Just Performance: Lacking ray tracing and DLSS may seem like a downside, but this focus means you get more raw performance for your dollar in standard gaming scenarios.
Conclusion
To sum up, the GTX 1660 Super offers solid gaming performance at a competitive price. Its Turing architecture guarantees efficient processing, and while it can't outpace newer models, it stands strong against similarly priced competitors.
Overclocking potential is decent, giving you some headroom for enhanced performance. If you're gaming on a budget and prioritize value for money, this card is a smart choice, though it's wise to compare current market options before making your final decision.