GPU Comparison

Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.

Quick Verdict

The GeForce RTX 3080 is dramatically faster than the GeForce GTX 1660, leading by roughly 250% in our performance index. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
Price
$395 CAD
Performance
10%
VRAM
6 GB GDDR5
Key Specs Advantage
+4% Boost Clock (1,785 MHz vs 1,710 MHz)
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 3080
Price
$580 CAD
Performance
35%
VRAM
10 GB GDDR6X
Key Specs Advantage
+518% CUDA Cores (8,704 vs 1,408)
+296% Bandwidth (760 GB/s vs 192 GB/s)
+67% Memory Bus (320-bit vs 192-bit)

GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce GTX 1660: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 3080 vs GeForce GTX 1660

The GeForce RTX 3080 is dramatically faster, around 250% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3080 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce GTX 1660 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3080 packs 8,704 CUDA cores versus 1,408 on the GeForce GTX 1660.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce GTX 1660 starts at $395 CAD against $580 CAD for the GeForce RTX 3080. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 138%. The GeForce GTX 1660 still sits about $176 CAD above its $219 CAD MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3080 is trading below its $699 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce GTX 1660 pulls less power (120W vs 320W), so it's the easier card to cool and the lighter load on your PSU. The faster GeForce RTX 3080 draws more overall but extracts more performance from each watt — plan for a sturdier power supply if you pick it. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

With 10GB against 6GB, the GeForce RTX 3080 has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce GTX 1660's 6GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 3080's memory is also faster — 760 GB/s versus 192 GB/s (320-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce RTX 3080?

The GeForce RTX 3080 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 1660 if you find it at a steep discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 3080 better than the GeForce GTX 1660?

The GeForce RTX 3080 is dramatically faster, roughly 250% ahead. If your budget allows, it's the stronger pick.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1660 or the GeForce RTX 3080?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at 1440p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce RTX 3080 worth the extra $185 CAD over the GeForce GTX 1660?

Often yes — despite the higher price the GeForce RTX 3080 delivers better performance-per-dollar here.

Does the GeForce RTX 3080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 10GB (vs 6GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1660GeForce RTX 3080
ArchitectureTuringAmpere
Process NodeTSMC 12nmSamsung 8nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)1,4088,704
Ray Tracing Cores68
Tensor / AI Cores272

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1660GeForce RTX 3080
Base Clock1,530 MHz1,440 MHz
Boost Clock1,785 MHz1,710 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1660GeForce RTX 3080
VRAM Capacity6 GB10 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR6X
Memory Bus192-bit320-bit
Memory Speed8 Gbps19 Gbps
Bandwidth192 GB/s760 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce GTX 1660GeForce RTX 3080
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x16
TDP120 W320 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 12-pin
ReleasedMar 2019Sep 2020