GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design vs GeForce GTX 660

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is positioned at rank #66 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

#19

Radeon RX 5600

MSRP: $229|Avg: $150

98%

#22

Radeon RX 7700

MSRP: $449|Avg: $399

94%

#56

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

207%

#58

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

188%

#59

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

188%

#63

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

171%

#64

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

169%

#66

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

100%

#68

GeForce GTX 850M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

97%

#78

Radeon HD 8970M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $170

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is significantly newer (2018 vs 2012). The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 660 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 660 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.9% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 660
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.9%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.9%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / Kepler (2012−2018))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	✅ More VRAM (+33.3%)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	—	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 660 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $15 versus $50 for the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design, it costs 70% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 243.1% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 660
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+243.1%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($50)	✅More affordable ($15)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 660 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design and GeForce GTX 660

GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 3 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1152 MHz to 1417 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,925 points.

GeForce GTX 660

The GeForce GTX 660 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 6 2012. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 980 MHz to 1033 MHz. It has 960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 140W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,040 points. Launch price was $229.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design scores 3,925 and the GeForce GTX 660 reaches 4,040 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.9% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 660 uses Kepler, both on 14 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 960 (GeForce GTX 660). Raw compute: 2.177 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 1.981 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 660). Boost clocks: 1417 MHz vs 1033 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 660
G3D Mark Score	3,925	4,040+3%
Architecture	Pascal	Kepler
Process Node	14 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	768	960+25%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.177 TFLOPS+10%	1.981 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1417 MHz+37%	1033 MHz
ROPs	32+33%	24
TMUs	48	80+67%
L1 Cache	288 KB+260%	80 KB
L2 Cache	1 MB+163%	0.38 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 660
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 660 has 3 GB. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 80 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 144.2 GB/s (GeForce GTX 660) — a 80.2% advantage for the GeForce GTX 660. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 0.38 MB (GeForce GTX 660) — the GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 660
VRAM Capacity	4 GB+33%	3 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	80 GB/s	144.2 GB/s+80%
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	1 MB+163%	0.38 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 12 (GeForce GTX 660). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 660
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs NVENC 1st Gen (GeForce GTX 660). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs NVDEC 1st Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265 (HEVC),VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs H.264 (GeForce GTX 660).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 660
Encoder	NVENC (6th Gen)	NVENC 1st Gen
Decoder	NVDEC (3rd Gen)	NVDEC 1st Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265 (HEVC),VP9	H.264

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design draws 75W versus the GeForce GTX 660's 140W — a 60.5% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 450W (GeForce GTX 660). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 1x 6-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design	GeForce GTX 660
TDP	75W-46%	140W
Recommended PSU	350W-22%	450W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	1x 6-pin
Length	—	241mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	70°C	—
Perf/Watt	52.3+81%	28.9

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 660 costs 70% less ($35 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 78.5 (GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design) vs 269.3 (GeForce GTX 660) — the GeForce GTX 660 offers 243.1% better value. The GeForce GTX 1050 with Max-Q Design is the newer GPU (2018 vs 2012).