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GeForce GTX 1660 vs GeForce RTX 2060

Quick Verdict

On raw speed the GeForce RTX 2060 comes out ahead: well ahead on speed, about 30% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. That said, the GeForce GTX 1660 is the smarter buy on value — $50 USD less for the performance on offer.

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GeForce RTX 2060 vs GeForce GTX 1660: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 2060 vs GeForce GTX 1660

The GeForce RTX 2060 is significantly faster, around 30% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1660. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 2060 packs 1,920 CUDA cores versus 1,408 on the GeForce GTX 1660.

Price & Value

The GeForce GTX 1660 currently lists from $150 USD, $50 USD less than the GeForce RTX 2060 at $200 USD. Despite being slower, the GeForce GTX 1660 offers the better performance-per-dollar, so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce GTX 1660 is trading below its $219 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 2060 is trading below its $349 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.

Power & Efficiency

At 120W against 160W, the GeForce GTX 1660 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power.

Memory & Bandwidth

The GeForce RTX 2060's memory is faster — 336 GB/s versus 192 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce RTX 2060?

Choose the GeForce RTX 2060 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 2060 better than the GeForce GTX 1660?

The GeForce RTX 2060 is significantly faster, roughly 30% ahead. The GeForce GTX 1660 is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1660 or the GeForce RTX 2060?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at entry-level 1080p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce RTX 2060 worth the extra $50 USD over the GeForce GTX 1660?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce GTX 1660 comes out ahead.

Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1660 or GeForce RTX 2060?

Choose the GeForce RTX 2060 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.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 1660 and GeForce RTX 2060
SpecificationGeForce GTX 1660GeForce RTX 2060
ArchitectureTuringTuring
Process NodeTSMC 12nmTSMC 12nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)1,4081,920✓
Ray Tracing Cores—30
Tensor / AI Cores—240

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 1660 and GeForce RTX 2060
SpecificationGeForce GTX 1660GeForce RTX 2060
Base Clock1,530 MHz✓1,365 MHz
Boost Clock1,785 MHz✓1,680 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 1660 and GeForce RTX 2060
SpecificationGeForce GTX 1660GeForce RTX 2060
VRAM Capacity6 GB6 GB
Memory TypeGDDR5GDDR6
Memory Bus192-bit192-bit
Memory Speed8 Gbps14 Gbps✓
Bandwidth192 GB/s336 GB/s✓

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between GeForce GTX 1660 and GeForce RTX 2060
SpecificationGeForce GTX 1660GeForce RTX 2060
InterfacePCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
TDP120 W✓160 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 8-pin
ReleasedMar 2019Jan 2019