NVIDIA GTX 660 Graphics Card Review: Is It Still Worth It in 2024?

The NVIDIA GTX 660 was once a mid-range powerhouse in the world of graphics cards, offering impressive performance for gamers and professionals alike. However, technology advances rapidly, and what was cutting-edge a few years ago can quickly become outdated. In this review, we'll look at the GTX 660 in-depth and answer the question: Is it still worth it in 2024?

Introduction to the GTX 660

Released on September 6th, 2012 the GTX 660 was part of NVIDIA's Kepler architecture, known for its energy efficiency and solid performance. It featured 960 CUDA cores, a base clock of 980 MHz, which can be boosted up to 1032 MHz, and 2GB of GDDR5 memory. This card supports DirectX 12, but the feature level is only 11_0. If we talk about the display outputs of the GTX 660, it include 2x DVI ports, 1x HDMI 1.4a port, and 1x Displayport 1.2.

To connect this card to the rest of the system, you need a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 interface on your motherboard. For its time, it was a great option for 1080p gaming and offered a good balance of performance.

Power Consumption and Efficiency

One of the strong points of the Kepler architecture was its power efficiency. The GTX 660 draws power from a 1x 6-pin power connector, and it has a maximum TDP of 140 watts, making it relatively power-efficient compared to newer, more powerful GPUs. To use this card, you will need a power supply unit (PSU) with a minimum capacity of 300W.

Performance in Modern Games

One of the most important factors to consider when assessing an older graphics card is its capability to handle modern games. As of 2024, the GTX 660 can still support numerous popular titles, but with some limitations.

• AAA Titles: Modern AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are very demanding. The GTX 660 can run these games at lower settings (720p or 1080p with low to medium settings) but don't expect a smooth experience, especially in terms of frame rates.

• eSports Titles: Less demanding games like Fortnite, League of Legends, and CS2 are more suited to the GTX 660. These games can still be enjoyed at 1080p with medium to high settings, providing decent frame rates and a good gaming experience.

Benchmark Results

Here are some benchmark results for the GTX 660 in a few popular games and synthetic tests:

• Valorant (1440p, High): 110-140 FPS

• Counter-Strike 2 (1080p, Low): 80-120 FPS

• Fortnite (1080p, Medium): 45-60 FPS

• League of Legends (1080p, High): 60-80 FPS

• Cyberpunk 2077 (720p, Low): 20-30 FPS

• GTA V (1080p, Very High): 40-70 FPS

• Red Dead Redemption 2 (720p, Low): 30-40 FPS

• Days Gone (720p, Medium): 35-50 FPS

Valorant

Red Dead Redemption 2

Cyberpunk 2077

GTA V

Days Gone

Counter Strike 2

Price and Availability

In 2024, the GTX 660 is no longer in production, so it can only be found on the second-hand market. Prices can vary, but you can expect to find used GTX 660 cards for around $50 to $80, depending on the condition and seller. Although this is inexpensive, it's important to consider this in light of its performance restrictions.

Alternatives to Consider

Given the advancements in GPU technology, several alternatives to the GTX 660 offer significantly better performance for a modest price increase. Some options to consider include:

• NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti: Offers better performance and efficiency, suitable for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings.

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• AMD Radeon RX 570: Provides excellent value for money and can handle modern games at 1080p with high settings.

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• NVIDIA GTX 1650: A more modern and efficient card that delivers good performance for 1080p gaming.

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Conclusion: Is the GTX 660 Still Worth It?

In 2024, the NVIDIA GTX 660 can still be a functional graphics card for light gaming, eSports titles, and general computing tasks. However, its performance in modern AAA games is limited, and much better options are available for a slightly higher investment. If you are on an extremely tight budget and only need a basic GPU, the GTX 660 could be the best solution. However, investing in a newer card is highly recommended for those looking to enjoy modern games with better graphics and frame rates.

Buy GTX 660

Ultimately, while the GTX 660 holds a nostalgic value and showcases the progress of GPU technology over the years, it is largely outclassed by more recent offerings that provide superior performance and efficiency.