GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 60% up on the GeForce GTX 1660. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1660: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce GTX 1660
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is dramatically faster, around 60% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1660 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 1,408 on the GeForce GTX 1660.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce GTX 1660 starts at $158 GBP against $249 GBP for the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB wins on performance-per-dollar. The GeForce GTX 1660 is trading below its $219 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is trading below its $329 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce GTX 1660 is the lighter draw at 120W against the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's 170W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route. 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 8GB's 8GB (vs 6GB on the GeForce GTX 1660) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's memory is also faster — 240 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 3060 8GB 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 8GB?
The GeForce RTX 3060 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 3060 8GB better than the GeForce GTX 1660?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1660 or the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB worth the extra $91 GBP over the GeForce GTX 1660?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,408 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 28 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 112 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,530 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,785 MHz✓ | 1,777 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 8 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps | 15 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 240 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1660 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 120 W✓ | 170 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Mar 2019 | Feb 2021 |