GeForce GTX 1660 Ti vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
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GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Why is GeForce GTX 1660 Ti better than GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
The matchup between the budget enthusiast GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and the iconic previous-gen high-end GeForce GTX 1660 Ti reveals a fascinating battle between generational value and past muscle. Both cards provide comparable raw rendering speed at 1080p Ultra, but the RTX 3050 8GB delivers superior future-proof features and introduces AI-driven DLSS support.
Technically, the older GTX 1660 Ti remains a robust legend with slightly higher raw rasterization throughput in some legacy titles. However, the RTX 3050 8GB wins on absolute memory scale with its 8GB buffer—more than the 6GB found on the older card—along with specialized cores for Ray Tracing and next-gen DLSS upscaling. Moving to the modern Ampere platform is a transformative upgrade, turning previously blurry games into silk-smooth cinematic digital odysseys in 2026.
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the winner in absolute efficiency and technological feature support. it is a world-class budget engine for stable 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming. The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti remains the winner for collectors and budget builders who priority reliable rasterization for existing stationary rigs. however, for any user seeking the most uncompromised and future-proof digital environment, the 8GB RTX card is the superior choice.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.7% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.7%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.7%) |
| Longevity | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (6 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $85 versus $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 59% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 150% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+150%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($85) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1660 Ti and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 22 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1770 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,747 points. Launch price was $279.
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti scores 12,747 and the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB reaches 12,535 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,536 (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Raw compute: 5.437 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Boost clocks: 1770 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,747+2% | 12,535 |
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | 12 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1536 | 2560+67% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 5.437 TFLOPS | 9.098 TFLOPS+67% |
| Boost Clock | 1770 MHz | 1777 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+50% | 32 |
| TMUs | 96+20% | 80 |
| L1 Cache | 1.5 MB | 2.5 MB+67% |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 2 MB+33% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — a 28.6% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1.5 MB (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 8 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 288 GB/s+29% | 224 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 2 MB+33% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Decoder: NVDEC 4th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC 4th gen | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,VP8,VP9 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti draws 120W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 130W — a 8% difference. The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 66°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 120W-8% | 130W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 450W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 229mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 66°C-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 106.2+10% | 96.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti launched at $279 MSRP and currently averages $85, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 and now averages $209. The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti costs 59.3% less ($124 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 150.0 (GeForce GTX 1660 Ti) vs 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti offers 150% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2019).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $279 | $249-11% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $85-59% | $209 |
| Performance per Dollar | 150.0+150% | 60.0 |
| Codename | TU116 | GA106 |
| Release | February 22 2019 | January 4 2022 |
| Ranking | #204 | #211 |
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