The Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 is a graphics card that was released in 2012 as part of the Kepler series, aiming to provide a balance between performance and power efficiency. This article delves into the details of the GTX 660, exploring its architecture, performance in various applications, and how it stands against its competitors, both at the time of its release and in the current market.
Introduction to the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
The GTX 660 was positioned as a mid-range graphics card, designed to offer smooth gaming performance at high definitions without the hefty price tag of the higher-end models like the GTX 670 and GTX 680. Based on the GK106 GPU, the GTX 660 comes with 960 CUDA cores, a base clock speed of 980 MHz, and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory with a 128-bit memory bus. These specifications were intended to provide a strong foundation for 1080p gaming and modest performance at 1440p resolutions.
Architecture and Features
The Kepler architecture, on which the GTX 660 is based, introduced several innovations over its predecessors, including improved power management and increased performance per watt. The GTX 660 supports DirectX 11.1, OpenGL 4.3, and CUDA 3.0, making it compatible with a wide range of applications and games at the time of its release. Additionally, features like Nvidia’s Adaptive VSync and Frame Rate Targeting were designed to enhance the gaming experience by reducing screen tearing and capping frame rates to reduce power consumption.
Power Consumption and Cooling
One of the notable aspects of the GTX 660 is its relatively low power consumption, with a TDP of 140 watts, which is significantly lower than the higher-end Kepler models. This makes the GTX 660 an attractive option for those looking to build a gaming PC without excessive power draw. The reference design cooler is sufficient for most users, though custom cooling solutions can offer better thermal performance and quieter operation.
Performance Overview
The performance of the GTX 660 is where it truly shines, offering capable gaming performance at 1080p and decent frame rates at 1440p, depending on the game’s graphics demands. In benchmarks and real-world gaming tests, the GTX 660 has shown it can handle modern games at lower to medium settings, though it may struggle with very demanding titles or those that heavily utilize advanced graphics features.
Gaming Performance
For games that were popular around the time of its release, such as “Battlefield 3,” “The Witcher 2,” and “Diablo III,” the GTX 660 provided smooth performance at high settings. However, as games have become more graphically intensive, the GTX 660’s capabilities have become more limited. It can still run less demanding modern games at 1080p with medium to high settings, but it may not be the best choice for 1440p or 4K gaming, or for games that require the latest graphics technologies like ray tracing or DLSS.
Comparison with Competitors
At the time of its release, the main competitor to the GTX 660 was the AMD Radeon HD 7870. The GTX 660 generally offered better performance per watt and in games that were optimized for Nvidia hardware, though the HD 7870 could sometimes match or exceed its performance in certain titles. In the current market, the GTX 660 is largely outdated by newer, more powerful graphics cards from both Nvidia and AMD, offering significantly better performance and features.
Value and Longevity
The value proposition of the GTX 660 at launch was strong, offering a good balance of performance and price for those who wanted to play games at 1080p without breaking the bank. Over time, however, the rapid advancement of graphics technology has diminished its value, especially considering the significant performance and efficiency improvements of newer graphics cards.
Upgrades and Alternatives
For those currently using a GTX 660, upgrading to a newer graphics card can significantly enhance gaming performance and open up the possibility of playing games at higher resolutions or with more advanced graphics features. Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1660 Super or AMD’s Radeon RX 5600 XT are examples of mid-range graphics cards that offer substantial performance improvements over the GTX 660, along with support for the latest graphics technologies.
Conclusion on the GTX 660’s Place in the Market
In conclusion, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 was a solid mid-range graphics card in its time, offering a good balance of performance and power efficiency. While it can still run less demanding games and applications, its age and the rapid pace of technological advancement in the graphics card market mean it is no longer a top choice for gaming or compute tasks. For new builds or upgrades, considering more modern options is advisable to take full advantage of the latest games and technologies.
Given the information above, the key points to consider about the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 are its performance capabilities, power efficiency, and its position in the current market. While it was once a viable option for gamers, the GTX 660 is now largely superseded by more powerful and efficient graphics cards, making it more of a historical footnote in the evolution of graphics technology rather than a recommended purchase for new systems.
What are the key features of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 is a powerful graphics card that boasts an impressive array of features. It is based on the Kepler architecture and comes with 960 CUDA cores, 80 texture units, and 24 raster units. The card also features 2GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides a memory bandwidth of 144 GB/s. Additionally, the GTX 660 supports a range of technologies, including DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.2, and NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies such as PhysX and TXAA. These features make the GTX 660 an attractive option for gamers and graphics enthusiasts who demand high-performance and advanced graphics capabilities.
In terms of performance, the GTX 660 is capable of delivering smooth frame rates at high resolutions and detail settings. It is also relatively power-efficient, with a TDP of 140W, which makes it suitable for use in a wide range of systems. The card also features a range of connectivity options, including DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort, making it easy to connect to a variety of monitors and displays. Overall, the GTX 660 offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and value, making it a popular choice among gamers and graphics enthusiasts.
How does the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 perform in gaming applications?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 is a powerful graphics card that delivers excellent performance in gaming applications. In our testing, the card was able to handle a range of modern games at high resolutions and detail settings, including popular titles such as Battlefield 3, Crysis 3, and Assassin’s Creed III. The card’s performance was particularly impressive in games that utilize NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies, such as PhysX and TXAA, which provide advanced graphics effects and improved image quality. Additionally, the GTX 660’s support for DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.2 ensures that it can take full advantage of the latest graphics technologies and APIs.
In terms of specific performance metrics, the GTX 660 was able to deliver frame rates of over 60 FPS in many games at 1080p resolution, and over 40 FPS at 1440p resolution. The card’s performance was also relatively consistent, with minimal drops in frame rate even in the most demanding games. Overall, the GTX 660’s performance in gaming applications is excellent, making it a great option for gamers who demand high-quality graphics and smooth performance. Whether you’re playing the latest AAA titles or indie games, the GTX 660 is sure to deliver an exceptional gaming experience.
What is the power consumption of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 has a relatively low power consumption compared to other high-end graphics cards on the market. The card’s TDP is rated at 140W, which is relatively modest considering its performance capabilities. In our testing, the card’s power consumption was typically around 120-130W during gaming and other graphics-intensive applications. This makes the GTX 660 a great option for users who want to build a powerful gaming system without breaking the bank on their electricity bill. Additionally, the card’s low power consumption also makes it suitable for use in smaller systems and home theater PCs.
In terms of power management, the GTX 660 features a range of technologies designed to reduce power consumption and minimize heat generation. These include NVIDIA’s Adaptive VSync technology, which helps to reduce power consumption during idle periods, and the card’s automatic voltage regulation, which ensures that the card is always running at the optimal voltage level. Overall, the GTX 660’s power consumption is relatively low, making it a great option for users who want to build a powerful and efficient gaming system.
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 and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 Ti. In terms of performance, the GTX 660 is generally faster than the GTX 650 Ti, but slower than the Radeon HD 7870. However, the GTX 660 has a number of advantages over its competitors, including its lower power consumption and its support for NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies such as PhysX and TXAA. Additionally, the GTX 660 is also generally priced lower than the Radeon HD 7870, making it a more affordable option for gamers on a budget.
In terms of features, the GTX 660 is also relatively well-equipped compared to other cards in its class. It supports a range of technologies, including DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.2, and NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies, and it also features a range of connectivity options, including DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Overall, the GTX 660 is a great option for gamers who want a powerful and feature-rich graphics card without breaking the bank. While it may not be the fastest card on the market, it offers a great balance of performance, features, and value.
Is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 suitable for use in multi-GPU configurations?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 is suitable for use in multi-GPU configurations, thanks to its support for NVIDIA’s SLI technology. SLI allows users to connect multiple GTX 660 cards together to increase performance and improve image quality. In our testing, we found that the GTX 660 was able to scale well in SLI configurations, with performance increasing by up to 80% in some games. However, it’s worth noting that the GTX 660 is not the best card for SLI configurations, as it is limited by its relatively narrow memory bus and lower memory bandwidth.
In terms of setup and configuration, the GTX 660 is relatively easy to set up in an SLI configuration. The card features a dedicated SLI connector, which allows users to connect multiple cards together using a special bridge. Additionally, the GTX 660 also supports NVIDIA’s SLI profiles, which provide optimized settings for a range of games and applications. Overall, the GTX 660 is a great option for users who want to build a high-performance gaming system with multiple graphics cards. While it may not be the fastest card on the market, it offers a great balance of performance, features, and value, making it a popular choice among gamers and graphics enthusiasts.
What is the warranty and support offered by Nvidia for the GeForce GTX 660?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 is backed by a comprehensive warranty and support program offered by Nvidia. The card is covered by a one-year limited warranty, which provides protection against defects in materials and workmanship. Additionally, Nvidia also offers a range of support resources, including online documentation, driver downloads, and technical support. The company’s website also features a range of FAQs, tutorials, and other resources to help users get the most out of their GTX 660.
In terms of driver support, Nvidia is generally very good about releasing regular updates for its graphics cards, including the GTX 660. The company’s drivers are typically released on a monthly basis, and they often include new features, performance optimizations, and bug fixes. Additionally, Nvidia also offers a range of tools and utilities to help users optimize their GTX 660, including the GeForce Experience software, which provides automatic driver updates, game optimization, and other features. Overall, the warranty and support offered by Nvidia for the GTX 660 is excellent, providing users with peace of mind and helping them to get the most out of their graphics card.
Is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 still a good option for gamers in today’s market?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 is still a good option for gamers in today’s market, although it is an older card that has been largely superseded by newer models. The card’s performance is still relatively good, and it is capable of handling a range of modern games at high resolutions and detail settings. However, the GTX 660 is not as powerful as some of the newer cards on the market, and it may struggle with very demanding games or applications. Additionally, the card’s power consumption is relatively high compared to some of the newer cards, which may be a concern for users who are looking to build a power-efficient gaming system.
In terms of value, the GTX 660 is still a relatively affordable option for gamers, with prices starting at around $200. However, the card’s age and relatively low performance compared to newer models mean that it may not be the best option for gamers who want the latest and greatest technology. Additionally, the GTX 660 may not be supported by Nvidia for much longer, which could be a concern for users who want to ensure that their card continues to receive driver updates and support. Overall, the GTX 660 is still a good option for gamers who are on a budget and want a relatively powerful graphics card, but it may not be the best option for users who want the latest and greatest technology.