GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB comes out ahead: meaningfully ahead, about 10% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
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GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1660: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1660
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is noticeably faster, around 10% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB packs 2,560 CUDA cores versus 1,408 on the GeForce GTX 1660.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1660 currently lists from $158 GBP, $12 GBP less than the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB at $170 GBP. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB wins on performance-per-dollar. The GeForce GTX 1660 is trading below its $219 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is trading below its $249 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 1660 is the gentler choice at 120W versus 130W. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 130W 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 3050 8GB 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 3050 8GB's memory is also faster — 224 GB/s versus 192 GB/s (128-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1660 (Ampere vs Turing), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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 3050 8GB better than the GeForce GTX 1660?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1660 or the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB worth the extra $12 GBP over the GeForce GTX 1660?
Does the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,408 | 2,560✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 20 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 80 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,530 MHz | 1,552 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,785 MHz✓ | 1,777 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 8 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps | 14 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 224 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 120 W✓ | 130 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Mar 2019 | Jan 2022 |