The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is a high-performance graphics card that was released as part of the Kepler series of GPUs. This series marked a significant milestone in the development of graphics processing units, offering improved performance, power efficiency, and a range of innovative features. In this article, we will delve into the details of the GTX 660, including its release date, specifications, performance, and the impact it had on the gaming and graphics industries.
Introduction to the Kepler Series
The Kepler series, named after the German astronomer Johannes Kepler, was a major leap forward for NVIDIA. Introduced in 2012, it replaced the Fermi series and brought with it several key improvements. The Kepler architecture was designed to provide better performance per watt, making it more power-efficient than its predecessors. This was achieved through various technological advancements, including a new transistor design and an improved memory interface.
Key Features of the Kepler Series
The Kepler series introduced several key features that enhanced the gaming and graphical computing experience. These included:
– Improved CUDA Cores: The Kepler series saw an increase in the number of CUDA cores, which are essential for general computing and graphics rendering.
– Enhanced Memory Interface: The series featured an improved memory interface, allowing for faster data transfer and improved overall performance.
– Power Efficiency: Kepler GPUs were designed to be more power-efficient, reducing heat output and the need for large, noisy cooling systems.
– GPU Boost Technology: This technology allowed the GPU to automatically adjust its clock speed to optimize performance based on the workload.
The GTX 660 Specifications and Performance
The GTX 660 was positioned as a mid-range to high-end graphics card, offering a balance between performance and affordability. Its specifications included:
– 1152 CUDA Cores: Providing a significant boost in parallel processing capabilities.
– 2GB or 3GB GDDR5 Memory: Depending on the model, offering ample memory for demanding games and applications.
– 128-bit Memory Bus: While narrower than some of its higher-end counterparts, it still provided sufficient bandwidth for most users.
– Base Clock Speed of 980 MHz: With the ability to boost to higher speeds under load, thanks to GPU Boost technology.
In terms of performance, the GTX 660 was capable of handling most modern games at high settings, albeit sometimes requiring a reduction in resolution or detail levels for the most demanding titles. It was particularly well-suited for 1080p gaming, offering smooth frame rates in a wide range of games.
Comparison with Other Models
The GTX 660 was part of a broader lineup that included the GTX 650, GTX 650 Ti, GTX 660 Ti, and the higher-end GTX 670 and GTX 680. Each model offered a different balance of performance and price, catering to various segments of the market. The GTX 660 Ti, for example, offered improved performance over the standard GTX 660, thanks to more CUDA cores and a wider memory bus.
Release Date and Pricing
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 was released on September 13, 2012. At launch, the pricing for the GTX 660 started at around $229 for the 2GB model, making it an attractive option for gamers looking for a balance between performance and affordability. The 3GB model was priced slightly higher, reflecting the additional memory.
Impact on the Gaming and Graphics Industries
The GTX 660, along with the rest of the Kepler series, had a significant impact on the gaming and graphics industries. Its release marked a point where high-performance graphics became more accessible to a wider audience, thanks to its competitive pricing and impressive performance. This helped drive the adoption of more graphically intensive games and applications, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in terms of visual fidelity and gameplay.
The Kepler series also played a crucial role in the development of technologies beyond gaming, such as professional graphics, compute applications, and the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. The efficiency and performance of Kepler GPUs made them suitable for a variety of tasks, from video editing and 3D modeling to scientific simulations and data analysis.
Legacy and Successors
The GTX 660 and the Kepler series as a whole have left a lasting legacy in the world of computer graphics. They paved the way for future generations of NVIDIA GPUs, including the Maxwell and Pascal series, which further improved upon the efficiency and performance introduced by Kepler.
The successors to the GTX 660, such as the GTX 960 and GTX 1060, built upon the foundation laid by the Kepler series, offering even better performance, lower power consumption, and new features like improved cooling systems and support for emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR) and deep learning.
In conclusion, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 was a pivotal graphics card that marked an important step in the evolution of GPU technology. Its release in September 2012 brought high-performance graphics to a wider audience, contributing to advancements in gaming, professional applications, and beyond. As technology continues to advance, the impact of the GTX 660 and the Kepler series will be remembered as a significant milestone in the history of computer graphics and computing.
What are the key features of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is a high-performance graphics card that was released in 2012. It is based on the Kepler architecture and features 960 CUDA cores, 80 texture units, and 24 raster units. The card also comes with 2GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides a memory bandwidth of 144 GB/s. Additionally, the GTX 660 supports a range of technologies, including NVIDIA’s SLI (Scalable Link Interface) and PhysX, which enable enhanced performance and physics simulations in games.
The GTX 660 also features a range of power management technologies, including NVIDIA’s GPU Boost, which allows the card to dynamically adjust its clock speed to optimize performance and power consumption. The card also supports NVIDIA’s Adaptive VSync technology, which helps to reduce screen tearing and provide a smoother gaming experience. Overall, the GTX 660 is a powerful and feature-rich graphics card that is well-suited for playing demanding games at high resolutions and detail settings. With its advanced architecture and range of technologies, the GTX 660 provides a great balance of performance and power efficiency, making it a popular choice among gamers and graphics enthusiasts.
What is the release date of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 was released on September 13, 2012. This was a significant launch for NVIDIA, as it marked the introduction of a new mid-range graphics card that was designed to provide high-performance graphics capabilities at an affordable price. The GTX 660 was launched alongside the GTX 650 and GTX 650 Ti, which were also based on the Kepler architecture. The release of the GTX 660 helped to further establish NVIDIA’s position in the graphics market, and it quickly became a popular choice among gamers and system builders.
The release of the GTX 660 was also notable for its competitive pricing, which helped to make high-performance graphics more accessible to a wider range of users. The card was launched with a suggested retail price of around $229, which made it an attractive option for gamers who were looking for a powerful graphics card without breaking the bank. Overall, the release of the GTX 660 was an important milestone for NVIDIA, and it helped to cement the company’s position as a leader in the graphics market. The card’s popularity endured for several years, and it remains a notable example of NVIDIA’s commitment to delivering high-performance graphics solutions.
How does the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 compare to other graphics cards in its class?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is a mid-range graphics card that competes with other cards in its class, such as the AMD Radeon HD 7870. In terms of performance, the GTX 660 is generally considered to be one of the fastest mid-range cards available, with frame rates that are comparable to or better than those of its competitors. The card’s Kepler architecture and 960 CUDA cores provide a significant boost in performance, making it well-suited for playing demanding games at high resolutions and detail settings.
In comparison to other graphics cards in its class, the GTX 660 offers a range of advantages, including its high-performance architecture, advanced power management technologies, and support for features like SLI and PhysX. The card’s 2GB of GDDR5 memory also provides a significant amount of bandwidth, which helps to ensure smooth performance in games and other graphics-intensive applications. Overall, the GTX 660 is a highly competitive graphics card that offers a great balance of performance, power efficiency, and features, making it a popular choice among gamers and graphics enthusiasts.
What are the system requirements for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 requires a system with a 64-bit operating system, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8, and a minimum of 2GB of system memory. The card also requires a power supply that can deliver a minimum of 450 watts, with a 6-pin PCI Express power connector. Additionally, the system should have a motherboard with a PCI Express x16 slot, which is required to install the graphics card. In terms of processor requirements, the GTX 660 can work with a wide range of CPUs, including Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors, as well as AMD FX and A-series processors.
The GTX 660 also requires a minimum of 2GB of system memory, although 4GB or more is recommended for optimal performance. The card’s drivers can be downloaded from NVIDIA’s website, and they are compatible with a range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD. Overall, the system requirements for the GTX 660 are relatively modest, making it accessible to a wide range of users. However, it’s always a good idea to check the system requirements before purchasing a graphics card, to ensure that it will work smoothly with your existing hardware and software configuration.
Can the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 handle 4K resolution gaming?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is a powerful graphics card, but it may not be able to handle 4K resolution gaming at high frame rates. While the card’s Kepler architecture and 960 CUDA cores provide a significant boost in performance, 4K gaming requires a tremendous amount of processing power and memory bandwidth. The GTX 660’s 2GB of GDDR5 memory may not be sufficient to handle the demands of 4K gaming, particularly at high detail settings.
However, the GTX 660 can still handle 4K resolution gaming at lower detail settings or with reduced frame rates. The card’s GPU Boost technology can also help to improve performance in 4K gaming, by dynamically adjusting the clock speed to optimize performance and power consumption. Additionally, the GTX 660 supports NVIDIA’s DSR (Dynamic Super Resolution) technology, which can help to improve image quality in 4K gaming by rendering images at a higher resolution and then downsampling them to the native resolution of the display. Overall, while the GTX 660 may not be the best choice for 4K gaming, it can still provide a good gaming experience at lower resolutions and detail settings.
Is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 still a good choice for gaming in 2023?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is an older graphics card that was released in 2012, and it may not be the best choice for gaming in 2023. While the card was once a high-performance graphics solution, it has been surpassed by newer and more powerful graphics cards that offer better performance, power efficiency, and features. The GTX 660’s Kepler architecture and 960 CUDA cores are no longer competitive with modern graphics cards, which offer many more cores and much higher clock speeds.
However, the GTX 660 can still be a good choice for gaming in 2023, particularly for users who are on a budget or who only need to play less demanding games. The card’s price has decreased significantly since its release, making it a more affordable option for users who are looking for a basic graphics card. Additionally, the GTX 660 is still supported by NVIDIA’s drivers, which means that it will continue to receive updates and bug fixes for the foreseeable future. Overall, while the GTX 660 may not be the best choice for gaming in 2023, it can still provide a good gaming experience for users who are looking for a budget-friendly graphics solution.
Can the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 be used for cryptocurrency mining?
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 can be used for cryptocurrency mining, but it may not be the most profitable or efficient option. The card’s Kepler architecture and 960 CUDA cores provide a significant amount of processing power, which can be used to mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, the GTX 660’s power consumption and hash rate may not be competitive with newer and more powerful graphics cards that are specifically designed for cryptocurrency mining.
The GTX 660’s hash rate for Ethereum mining is around 10-15 MH/s, which is relatively low compared to newer graphics cards that can achieve hash rates of 50-100 MH/s or more. Additionally, the card’s power consumption is around 140 watts, which can increase electricity costs and reduce profitability. However, the GTX 660 can still be used for cryptocurrency mining, particularly for users who are looking for a low-cost and low-power solution. The card’s drivers and software can be optimized for cryptocurrency mining, and it can be used in conjunction with other graphics cards to increase overall hash rate and profitability.