GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce GTX 960
On raw speed the GeForce GTX 1660 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 233% ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
Comparable or lower specs
GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce GTX 960: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce GTX 960
The GeForce GTX 1660 is dramatically faster, around 233% ahead of the GeForce GTX 960. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce GTX 1660 packs 1,408 CUDA cores versus 1,024 on the GeForce GTX 960.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1660 currently lists from $95 CAD, $267 CAD less than the GeForce GTX 960 at $362 CAD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce GTX 1660 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 1166%. The GeForce GTX 1660 is trading below its $219 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce GTX 960 still sits about $163 CAD above its $199 CAD MSRP.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce GTX 1660 at 6GB versus 2GB on the GeForce GTX 960 — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce GTX 1660's memory is also faster — 192 GB/s versus 112 GB/s (192-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce GTX 1660 is roughly 4 years newer than the GeForce GTX 960 (Turing vs Maxwell), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce GTX 960?
The GeForce GTX 1660 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce GTX 960 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce GTX 1660 better than the GeForce GTX 960?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1660 or the GeForce GTX 960?
Is the GeForce GTX 960 worth the extra $267 CAD over the GeForce GTX 1660?
Does the GeForce GTX 1660 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce GTX 960?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Maxwell |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | TSMC 28nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,408✓ | 1,024 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,530 MHz✓ | 1,127 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,785 MHz✓ | 1,178 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB✓ | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps✓ | 7 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s✓ | 112 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce GTX 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W | 120 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Released | Mar 2019 | Jan 2015 |