GeForce GTX 1660 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3070
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3070 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 145% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti. That said, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is the smarter buy on value — $290 CAD less for the performance on offer.
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GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce GTX 1660 Ti: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
The GeForce RTX 3070 is dramatically faster, around 145% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3070 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3070 packs 5,888 CUDA cores versus 1,536 on the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti currently lists from $190 CAD, $290 CAD less than the GeForce RTX 3070 at $480 CAD. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti offers the better performance-per-dollar, so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is trading below its $279 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is the gentler choice at 120W versus 220W. The GeForce RTX 3070 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 220W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 3070 at 8GB versus 6GB on the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti — that extra 2GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 3070's memory is also faster — 448 GB/s versus 288 GB/s (256-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 Ti or GeForce RTX 3070?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3070 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3070 better than the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti or the GeForce RTX 3070?
Is the GeForce RTX 3070 worth the extra $290 CAD over the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti?
Does the GeForce RTX 3070 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 Ti or GeForce RTX 3070?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,536 | 5,888✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 46 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 184 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,500 MHz | 1,500 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,770 MHz✓ | 1,725 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 8 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 12 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 288 GB/s | 448 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W✓ | 220 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| Released | Feb 2019 | Sep 2020 |