GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB comes out dramatically faster — about 80% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. But the GeForce GTX 1660 is the better value, undercutting it by $299 GBP for the performance you get.
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GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1660: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1660
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is dramatically faster, around 80% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1660 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 1,408 on the GeForce GTX 1660.
Price & Value
The GeForce GTX 1660 currently lists from $60 GBP, $299 GBP less than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB at $359 GBP. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 1660 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~232% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 1660 is trading below its $219 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce GTX 1660 is the gentler choice at 120W versus 170W. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 170W 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
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB carries 12GB versus 6GB on the GeForce GTX 1660. The extra 6GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's memory is also faster — 360 GB/s versus 192 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is roughly 2 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 3060 12GB?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce GTX 1660 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.