RTX 3060 Vs GTX 1660 Ti [Gaming Benchmarks 2023]

This article compares the RTX 3060 Vs GTX 1660 Ti. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is one of the last graphics cards from the GTX line that will work until 2018–19. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 is a graphics card from Nvidia’s final series (RTX 3rd Generation).

Today, we will determine which of these two graphics cards has better features and works better. So, let’s start the full review of two graphics cards by looking at their specs.

Key Takeaways

• The GeForce RTX 3060 from Nvidia has 120 Tensor cores, while the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti has none.
• The Nvidia DLSS technology works with the RTX 3060 but not with the GTX 1660 Ti.
• The RTX 3060 has 25% more GDDR6 memory and 25% faster clock speeds than the GTX 1660 Ti.
• Regarding gaming speed, the RTX 3060 is 25% better than the GTX 1660 Ti. The RTX 3060 can improve at 4K resolution, but the GTX 1660 Ti can’t handle it.
• A GTX 1660 Ti currently costs between $230 and $320, while an Nvidia RTX 3060 costs between $360 and $420.

RTX 3060 Vs GTX 1660 Ti

Differences

Architecture (Ampere Vs. Turing)

Nvidia’s “Ampere” architecture was used to make the GeForce RTX 3060, while Nvidia’s “Turing” architecture was used to make the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.

In September 2018, Nvidia launched Turing to improve computer graphics. It used Pascal architecture and innovative technology. Nvidia claims the Turing architecture is the most considerable graphics performance boost in over a decade.

Also, check out our separate post on RTX 4080 Vs RTX 3090

Nvidia’s Ampere architecture replaces Turing. It was launched in May 2020. Nvidia built it for AI and high-performance computing. The first to use NVIDIA Tensor Core technology. It supports Deep Learning Super Sampling. NVIDIA Ampere architecture outperforms all others.

Design Chip

The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti utilised TU-116, while the Nvidia RTX 3060 used GA–106. Samsung makes Nvidia’s GA-106 chip in 8 nm. It uses Nvidia Ampere. The processor supports DirectX 12 Ultimate: 48 ROPs, 120 texture mapping units, and 3840 shading units. GA-106 has 120 tensor cores to accelerate machine learning applications.

TSMC manufactures Nvidia’s TU-116 chip at 12 nm. Nvidia Turing is used. 48 ROPs, 96 texture mapping units, and 1536 shading units. Hardware supports DirectX 12. RTX 3060‘s GA-106 chip has tensor cores; however, GTX 1660 Ti’s TU-116 does not.

Memory

The RTX 3060 and GTX 1660 Ti use GDDR6 memory. RTX 3060 memory differs from GTX 1660 Ti memory in several ways.

GDDR6 graphics cards have significant improvements over GDDR5. GDDR6’s bandwidth and power efficiency assist high-end graphics cards. GDDR6 will process more data faster with higher bandwidth. Lower power consumption will extend laptop and other device batteries.

RTX 3060 has 12GB of memory, double that of 6GB. 8GB RTX 3060s exist. GTX 1660 Ti has 12 GB/s memory, while RTX 3060 has 15 GB/s. RTX 3060 has a higher memory bandwidth (360 GB/s) than GTX 1660 Ti (288 GB/s).

Nvidia DLSS

Using deep learning and AI, Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology improves video game graphics. Upscaling pictures and frames to display resolution achieves this. DLSS improves fluidity and realism with anti-aliasing and other post-processing. It debuted in 2019.

The GTX 1660 Ti does not support Nvidia DLSS because it was released before DLSS, however the RTX 3060 does. DLSS should improve Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 gameplay.

Gaming Benchmarks (RTX 3060 Vs. GTX 1660 Ti)

To improve the gaming performance of these two graphics cards, we analyzed benchmarks of intense games split into three series. Three series have different benchmarking sources and playing resolutions.

First Series – 1080p

Borderlands 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Death Stranding, Forza Horizon 4, Hitman 3, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt benchmarks at 1080 resolution will start our gaming performance comparison. FPS Test benchmarks were compiled.

Test PC Specs

The method used to get these games’ benchmarks had:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
• Motherboard: MSI B550 TOMAHAWK MAX
• Cooler: Freezer ESports 34 DUO
• RAM: Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3733MHz

Borderlands 3

• Borderlands 3’s GPU-intensive GeForce RTX 3060 outperformed GTX 1660 Ti by 30%.
• Nvidia RTX 3060 averaged 75 FPS, while GTX 1660 Ti averaged 58 FPS.
• GTX 1660 Ti had 97% load, and RTX 3060 98%.
• The GTX 1660 Ti operated at 68 °C, whereas the RTX 3060 operated at 66 °C.

Cyberpunk 2077

• In Cyberpunk 2077, the Nvidia RTX 3060 did 33% better than the GTX 1660 Ti.
• The RTX 3060 beat the GTX 1660 Ti, which had an average frame rate of 48 FPS, with 64 FPS.
• In Cyberpunk 2077, the load on the RTX 3060 (97%) was 1% less than on the GTX 1660 Ti (98%).
• During games, the temperature of the GTX 1660 Ti was three degrees higher than that of the GTX 1660 Ti.

Death stranding

• During Death Standing, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 did about 25% better than the GTX 1660 Ti.
• With an average frame rate of 136 FPS, the RTX 3060 again had the best results.
• The RTX 3060 had a 97% load, while the GTX 1660 Ti had a 98% load.
• During this game, the temperature at RTX 3060 was 55 °C. While the GTX 1660 Ti worked at a temperature of 56 °C.

Forza Horizon 4

• In Forza Horizon 4, the Nvidia RTX 3060 did about 22% better than the GTX 1660 Ti.
• RTX 3060 and GTX 1660 Ti averaged 115 and 94 FPS, respectively, during gameplay.
• Forza Horizon 4 had the same load on RTX 3060 and GTX 1660 Ti as the previous game (97% and 98%, respectively).
• GTX 1660 Ti worked at 65 °C, whereas RTX 3060 worked at 58 °C.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Regarding frames per second, the Nvidia RTX 3060 beats the GTX 1660 Ti by about 28% in The Witcher 3.
• The RTX 3060 got an average of 87 FPS, while the GTX 1660 Ti could only get an average of 68 FPS.
• The fact that both graphics cards had the same 99% load, which is a very high number, shows that both GPUs were almost at their maximum capacity.
• The RTX 3060 and GTX 1660 Ti during gameplay reached 61 °C and 65 °C, respectively.

Second series – 1440p

Second-series gaming benchmarks were played at 1440p. Destiny 2, Far Cry Primal, Gears of War 5, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Hitman 2, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider comprise the second series. Benchmark PC Tech benchmarks second-series games.

Test PC Specs

The following were the specs of the machine that was used to test these games.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix X570-E
• RAM: Ballistix Elite 4000 MHz 16GB DDR4 DRAM
• Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 with 2X NF-A15 PWM 140mm Fans
• SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 1TB
• Case: Cooler Master H500P case

Destiny 2

• During Destiny 2, the Nvidia RTX 3060 had a tremendous average frame rate of 92 FPS, while the GTX 1660 Ti averaged only 59 FPS.
• The RTX 3060 was 33 FPS faster than the GTX 1660 Ti or the RTX 3060 was about 55% better.

Far Cry Primal

• In Destiny 2, the average frame rate for the Nvidia RTX 3060 was an excellent 82 FPS, while the average frame rate for the GTX 1660 Ti was 66 FPS.
• The RTX 3060 was about 24% better than the GTX 1660 Ti. The GTX 1660 Ti was 16 FPS behind.

Gears оf War 5

• In Gears of War 5, the average FPS for the Nvidia RTX 3060 was 73 FPS, while the average FPS for the GTX 1660 Ti was 49 FPS.
• The RTX 3060 was faster than the GTX 1660 Ti by 24 frames per second or about 47%.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice had an average frame rate of 66 FPS on the Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti but an average frame rate of 106 FPS on the RTX 3060.
• Still, the GTX 1660 Ti is slow by 40 FPS, which is a lot.

Hitman 2

• Hitman 2 was about 38% better when the Nvidia RTX 3060 was used.
• The average frame rate of the GTX 1660 Ti was 52 FPS, while the average frame rate of the RTX 3060 was 72 FPS.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

• Shadow of the Tomb Raider ran at a great rate of 85 FPS on the RTX 3060 but only 53 FPS on the Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti.
• The Nvidia RTX 3060 was so much better at this game that it had a massive lead of 32 FPS, which is about 60% better performance.

Third Series – 4K(1960p)

Both graphics cards will struggle with the excellent 4K quality of the final series. The games include Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Battlefield V, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Doom Eternal, Fortnite: Battle Royale, and Horizon Zero Dawn. Mark PC designed these benchmarks.

Test PC Specs

Last series game benchmarks were generated on the following PC.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
• RAM: 2x16GB DDR4 3600MHz G.Skill Trident Z Series
• SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 1 TB – M.2 NVMe

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s GPU-intensive RTX 3060 performed twice as well as GTX 1660 Ti.
• The GTX 1660 Ti averaged 10 FPS, whereas the RTX 3060 averaged 20 FPS.
• RTX 3060 had 9 FPS, and GTX 1660 Ti had 1 FPS at 1% Low.

Battlefield V

• RTX 3060 outperformed GTX 1660 Ti by ~76.
• The GTX 1660 Ti averaged 17 FPS in Battlefield V, whereas the Nvidia RTX 3060 averaged 30 FPS.
• The GTX 1660 Ti and RTX 3060 exhibited 1% Low frame rates of 6 and 15 FPS.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s RTX 3060 outscored the GTX 1660 Ti by 82%.
• The GTX 1660 Ti’s average frame rate was 22 versus the RTX 3060’s 40 FPS.
• GTX 1660 Ti’s 10 FPS and RTX 3060’s 22 FPS were 1% Low frame rates during gameplay.

Doom Eternal

• During Doom Eternal, the RTX 3060 was 57% more powerful than the GTX 1660 Ti.
• The average frame rate of the GTX 1660 Ti was 42 FPS, while the average frame rate of the Nvidia RTX 3060 was 66 FPS.
• During games, the 1% Low frame rates for the GTX 1660 Ti and RTX 3060 were 18 FPS and 30 FPS, respectively.

Fortnite: Battle Royale

• In Fortnite, the RTX 3060 was about 72% better on average than the GTX 1660 Ti.
• The average frame rate of the Nvidia RTX 3060 was 31 FPS, while the average frame rate of the GTX 1660 Ti was 18 FPS.
• During the game, the 1% Low frame rates for the RTX 3060, and GTX 1660 Ti were 16 FPS and 2 FPS, respectively.

Overall Gaming Performance (RTX 3060 Vs. GTX 1660 Ti)

Graphics card frame rates best measure game performance. The older Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti and RTX 3060 perform poorly in 4K. We will explore 1080p frame rates in detail. However, we will plot the average performance of these two graphics cards at 1440p and 4K.

At 1080p

First-series frame rate averages. GTX 1660 Ti averaged 87.8 FPS in the first series, whereas Nvidia RTX 3060 averaged 110.3 FPS. Nvidia RTX 3060 maxed out at 22.5 FPS higher. Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti had 81.1 FPS and RTX 3060 101.5 FPS. GTX 1660 Ti had a lower minimum of 20.4 FPS.

RTX 3060 averaged 106.1 FPS, GTX 1660 Ti 84.7 FPS. 21.4 FPS leads RTX 3060. Nvidia RTX 3060 performed ~25% better. After all these frame rate comparisons, both cards perform well at 1080p.

At 1440p

1440p or 2K gaming performance was also good. The Nvidia RTX 3060 delivered 85 FPS, while the GTX 1660 Ti managed 57.5 FPS. RTX 3060 led with 27.5 FPS. RTX 3060 performs comparably to GTX 1660 Ti in 1440p games.

At 4K

Frame rates are lower in 4K because GPUs struggle. RTX 3060 averaged 35.5 FPS, and GTX 1660 Ti 18.8 FPS. The RTX 3060 outperformed the GTX 1660 Ti by double.

GPU Thermal Efficiency

Graphics cards are most affected by gaming temperature. RTX 3060 and GTX 1660 Ti averaged 61 and 64.4 °C, respectively. RTX 3060 obtained 5.6% thermal efficiency because GTX 1660 Ti is 3.4 °C hotter. Both GPUs operated safely because their temperatures were well below their rated maximum.

Price And Availability

The older Nvidia RTX 3060 and GTX 1660 Ti were offered at the same price. Dedicated graphics laptops are still arriving. The GTX 1660 Ti priced $279, while the GeForce RTX 3060 cost $329. However, Nvidia RTX 3060 models cost 360–420$. GTX 1660 Ti models cost $230 to $320.

Most stores and markets sell these. Because they’re cheaper than the latest graphics cards, they’re still available in marketplaces for budget shoppers. Amazon, eBay, and others allow online ordering.

Which One Should You Go For?

Before recommending one, compare RTX 3060 and GTX 1660 Ti specs and performance. The most significant difference is that the RTX 3060 has 3584 CUDA cores, whereas the GTX 1660 Ti has 1536. Nvidia RTX 3060’s Ampere architecture improves on GTX 1660 Ti’s Turing architecture. GTX 1660 Ti has RT and Tensor cores but no Nvidia DLSS. RTX 3060 has all these benefits.

GTX 1660 Ti has a lower base and boosts clock frequencies than RTX 3060. RTX 3060 operates faster. RTX 3060’s GA-106 chip is made in 8 nm, while GTX 1660 Ti’s TU-116 chip is 12 nm. Thus, the RTX 3060 processor has better features. RTX 3060 has more RAM than GTX 1660 Ti. The GTX 1660 Ti features 6GB memory, while the RTX 3060 offers 12GB and 8GB models.

The GPUs’ maximum operating temperatures are suitable, with RTX 3060’s being 93 °C. The GTX 1660 Ti’s 60-80 W TDP is substantially lower than the RTX 3060’s 170 W. The Nvidia RTX 3060 outperformed two graphics cards in all resolutions.

Because of its improvements over GTX 1660 Ti, RTX 3060 is the best value GPU. After consideration, we recommend the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. If RTX 3060 is out of your budget, GTX 1660 Ti is a viable alternative. Avoid 4K gaming with a GTX 1660 Ti.

Conclusion

The battle between the RTX 3060 and the GTX 1660 Ti has shown some exciting parts of the big picture of graphics power. When you look deeper into silicon symphonies, you’ll find a fascinating mix of technology and history.

With its skill at ray tracing, the RTX 3060 is a work of art that paints pixels with a surreal glow. It shows the best of NVIDIA’s innovations and makes our virtual adventures feel more natural. On the other hand, the GTX 1660 Ti, a revered relic, brings back memories of when every frame was a beauty that took sweat and hard work to make.

In this comparison, the RTX 3060 wins hands down thanks to its technical breakthroughs that push the limits of what we think of as photorealism. Still, the GTX 1660 Ti is a dependable guard that effortlessly holds the fort.

So, this epic story doesn’t end with a winner but with a symphonic ode to how graphic dominance is constantly changing. The past and present live together peacefully in the world of GPUs, like threads of creativity in the ever-changing loom of time.

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