GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce RTX 2080
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 2080 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 90% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. 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)
GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce GTX 1660: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce GTX 1660
The GeForce RTX 2080 is dramatically faster, around 90% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 2080 is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1660 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 2080 packs 2,944 CUDA cores versus 1,408 on the GeForce GTX 1660.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1660 currently lists from $182 EUR, $115 EUR less than the GeForce RTX 2080 at $297 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 2080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 17%. The GeForce GTX 1660 is trading below its $219 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 2080 is trading below its $699 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 1660 is the gentler choice at 120W versus 225W. The GeForce RTX 2080 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 225W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 2080 at 8GB versus 6GB on the GeForce GTX 1660 — that extra 2GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 2080's memory is also faster — 448 GB/s versus 192 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 or GeForce RTX 2080?
The GeForce RTX 2080 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 2080 better than the GeForce GTX 1660?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1660 or the GeForce RTX 2080?
Is the GeForce RTX 2080 worth the extra $115 EUR over the GeForce GTX 1660?
Does the GeForce RTX 2080 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce RTX 2080?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Turing |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | TSMC 12nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,408 | 2,944✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 46 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 368 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,530 MHz✓ | 1,515 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,785 MHz✓ | 1,710 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 8 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 448 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 2080 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W✓ | 225 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Mar 2019 | Sep 2018 |