The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 is a graphics card that was released in 2012, targeting the mid-range market. It was based on the Kepler architecture and was designed to provide a balance between performance and power consumption. With the rapid evolution of technology, the question on many gamers’ minds is whether the GTX 660 is still good for gaming. In this article, we will delve into the details of the GTX 660, its performance, and its suitability for modern gaming.
Introduction to the GTX 660
The GTX 660 was launched as part of NVIDIA’s 600 series, which included several other models like the GTX 650, GTX 660 Ti, and the high-end GTX 680. The GTX 660 was positioned as a more affordable alternative to the GTX 660 Ti, offering similar performance at a lower price point. It featured 960 CUDA cores, a base clock speed of 980 MHz, and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory. The card was known for its efficient power consumption, requiring only 140 watts of power, which made it an attractive option for those looking to build a gaming PC without breaking the bank.
Performance Overview
In its time, the GTX 660 was considered a solid mid-range performer. It could handle most games at high settings in 1080p resolution, providing a smooth gaming experience. However, as games became more demanding and resolutions increased, the GTX 660’s performance began to show its limitations. The card struggled with games that required high levels of graphics processing, such as those with advanced physics, detailed textures, and complex lighting effects.
Benchmark Performance
Looking at benchmark tests from its release, the GTX 660 performed admirably in popular games of the time. For example, in Diablo III, it could achieve frame rates of over 60 FPS at 1080p with high settings. Similarly, in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, it managed to deliver around 50-60 FPS at the same resolution and settings. However, in more demanding titles like Crysis 3 and Battlefield 3, the frame rates would often drop below 40 FPS, indicating that the card was reaching its performance ceiling.
Gaming at Higher Resolutions
One of the significant challenges for the GTX 660 is gaming at higher resolutions, such as 1440p (2560×1440) or 4K (3840×2160). The card’s 2 GB of VRAM can become a bottleneck at these resolutions, especially in games with large, detailed textures. Furthermore, the Kepler architecture, although efficient for its time, does not support some of the newer technologies and optimizations found in more recent graphics cards, which can further hinder performance.
Modern Gaming Compatibility
While the GTX 660 can still run many modern games, the experience may not be as smooth as gamers would like. Many newer titles require more powerful graphics processing to run at high frame rates and with all the graphical bells and whistles turned on. Games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Cyberpunk 2077, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare are examples where the GTX 660 would struggle to maintain playable frame rates at higher settings.
Upgrades and Alternatives
For those looking to upgrade from a GTX 660, there are several options available that offer significantly better performance. NVIDIA’s more recent GeForce series, such as the GTX 1660 Super or the RTX 3060, provide a substantial boost in performance and support for newer technologies like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Alternatively, considering AMD’s offerings, such as the Radeon RX 5600 XT, could also be a viable option for those seeking better gaming performance without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the GTX 660 was a capable mid-range graphics card in its time, its suitability for modern gaming is limited. It can still handle less demanding games at lower resolutions, but for those seeking to play the latest titles at high settings and resolutions, the GTX 660 may not be the best choice. Gamers looking for a smoother experience may want to consider upgrading to a more modern graphics card that supports the latest technologies and can handle the demands of current and future games. The decision to upgrade depends on individual gaming needs and the types of games one wishes to play. For casual gamers or those on a tight budget, the GTX 660 might still suffice, but for enthusiast gamers, a more powerful graphics card is likely necessary to enjoy the full gaming experience.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 960 |
| Base Clock Speed | 980 MHz |
| Memory | 2 GB GDDR5 |
| Power Consumption | 140 Watts |
- The GTX 660 is based on the Kepler architecture, which was efficient for its time but lacks support for newer technologies.
- It features 960 CUDA cores and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, which can be a limitation for gaming at higher resolutions.
Is the GTX 660 still a viable option for modern gaming?
The GTX 660, released in 2012, was a popular mid-range graphics card from NVIDIA’s Kepler generation. While it was a powerful card in its time, the gaming landscape has evolved significantly since then. Modern games often require more powerful hardware to run smoothly, especially at higher resolutions and detail settings. The GTX 660’s performance may not be sufficient for demanding games, and it may struggle to maintain a high frame rate.
However, the GTX 660 can still handle less demanding games and older titles with ease. If you’re looking to play games at lower resolutions, such as 1080p, or with reduced graphics settings, the GTX 660 might still be a viable option. Additionally, the card’s power consumption is relatively low, making it a decent choice for those looking to build a budget-friendly gaming PC or upgrade an older system. Nevertheless, if you’re seeking a more future-proof solution or want to play the latest games at high settings, you may want to consider a more modern graphics card.
How does the GTX 660 compare to its AMD counterparts?
The GTX 660’s main competitor from AMD was the Radeon HD 7870. In terms of performance, the two cards were relatively evenly matched, with the GTX 660 having a slight edge in some games and the HD 7870 performing better in others. The GTX 660’s power consumption was generally lower than the HD 7870’s, which could be an important consideration for those looking to build a power-efficient gaming PC. However, the HD 7870 often came with more video memory, which could be beneficial for games that require large amounts of VRAM.
In terms of overall value, the GTX 660 and HD 7870 were often priced similarly, making the choice between them depend on individual preferences and system configurations. The GTX 660’s NVIDIA drivers were often considered more stable and feature-rich than AMD’s drivers at the time, which could be an important factor for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the GTX 660 and its AMD counterparts would depend on your specific gaming needs and the rest of your system’s hardware.
Can the GTX 660 handle 1080p gaming at high settings?
The GTX 660 is capable of handling 1080p gaming, but its ability to do so at high settings depends on the specific game and its system requirements. For less demanding games, such as esports titles or older games, the GTX 660 can often maintain a high frame rate at 1080p with high graphics settings. However, for more demanding games, such as modern AAA titles, the GTX 660 may struggle to maintain a smooth frame rate at high settings, even at 1080p.
To achieve smooth performance at 1080p, you may need to reduce the graphics settings or resolution in some games. This could involve lowering the texture quality, disabling anti-aliasing, or reducing the shadow quality. Alternatively, you could consider overclocking the GTX 660 to squeeze out a bit more performance, but this would require careful monitoring of the card’s temperatures and power consumption to avoid damaging the hardware. Ultimately, the GTX 660’s performance at 1080p will depend on the specific games you want to play and your desired level of visual quality.
Is the GTX 660 suitable for 1440p or 4K gaming?
The GTX 660 is not well-suited for 1440p or 4K gaming, as it lacks the necessary performance and video memory to handle these higher resolutions. At 1440p, the GTX 660 may be able to maintain a playable frame rate in less demanding games, but it will likely struggle to do so in more demanding titles. At 4K, the GTX 660’s performance will be severely limited, and it may not be able to handle even the lowest graphics settings.
For 1440p or 4K gaming, you would typically need a much more powerful graphics card, such as a high-end NVIDIA or AMD GPU from a more recent generation. These cards would offer significantly more performance, video memory, and features, such as support for newer graphics technologies like DirectX 12 or Vulkan. If you’re looking to game at higher resolutions, it’s recommended to consider a more modern and powerful graphics card, rather than trying to use a GTX 660 or other older hardware.
How does the GTX 660’s performance compare to more modern graphics cards?
The GTX 660’s performance is significantly lower than that of more modern graphics cards, such as those from NVIDIA’s Pascal or Ampere generations. These newer cards offer substantial improvements in performance, power efficiency, and features, making them much better suited for modern gaming. Even a budget-friendly modern graphics card, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, would offer significantly better performance than the GTX 660.
In terms of specific performance comparisons, the GTX 660 is roughly equivalent to a modern integrated graphics solution, such as Intel’s Iris Xe or AMD’s Vega graphics. While this may be sufficient for casual gaming or general computing, it’s not enough for serious gaming or demanding graphics workloads. If you’re looking for a more future-proof solution or want to play the latest games at high settings, it’s recommended to consider a more modern graphics card, rather than relying on a GTX 660 or other older hardware.
Can the GTX 660 be overclocked to improve its performance?
The GTX 660 can be overclocked to some extent, which may help improve its performance in certain games or applications. However, the amount of overclocking headroom available will depend on the specific card model, cooling system, and power supply. Some GTX 660 models may have more overclocking potential than others, and careful monitoring of the card’s temperatures, power consumption, and stability will be necessary to avoid damaging the hardware.
To overclock the GTX 660, you can use software tools like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision XOC, which allow you to adjust the card’s clock speeds, voltage, and fan settings. However, be cautious not to push the card too far, as excessive overclocking can lead to instability, crashes, or even permanent damage to the hardware. It’s also important to note that overclocking will not magically transform the GTX 660 into a high-end graphics card, and its performance will still be limited by its underlying architecture and hardware.
Is the GTX 660 still supported by NVIDIA with driver updates and security patches?
The GTX 660 is an older graphics card, and as such, it is no longer a priority for NVIDIA’s driver development team. While NVIDIA may still release occasional driver updates for the GTX 660, these updates will typically be limited to security patches or bug fixes, rather than performance enhancements or new features. The card’s drivers may not be optimized for the latest games or applications, and you may encounter compatibility issues or performance problems as a result.
In terms of security patches, NVIDIA will typically continue to support older graphics cards like the GTX 660 with critical security updates, at least for a certain period of time. However, the frequency and scope of these updates may decrease over time, and the card may eventually reach its end-of-life milestone, at which point it will no longer receive any further support or updates. If you’re concerned about security or want to ensure you have the latest features and performance optimizations, it’s recommended to consider upgrading to a more modern graphics card.